The ruhrHUB network includes various partners from politics, business and science, so that as a hub we are always able to bring together exactly the right partners. We provide specific support to founders when it comes to financing questions, during customer acquisition, or with regard to accessing a wide variety of mentors.
We set ourselves the goal of regularly generating useful interfaces within the network, but also beyond that to external actors. The "matches" are created on the one hand by our specially developed match-making event formats and on the other hand by targeted links between parties that we believe should definitely enter into exchanges with each other.
(links between two interested parties over three years)
A particularly popular format for targeted match-making is the Corporate Challenge Pitch in the form of a reverse pitch. Established companies pitch their challenges and look for very specific start-up solutions to their problem. The start-ups, in turn, are looking for potential pilot customers and various options for entering the market, or the option of learning together with customers and further improving the solution / product. With the Corporate Challenge Pitch, start-ups can make contact with decision-makers at established companies and present their technology in the form of a Use Case. Through individuality and adaptation to the companies' customer needs, the start-ups receive an initial order with strong partners, generate growth and scale their business idea.
Today we face complex challenges that often cannot be solved by a single person. Only with our shared creativity and innovations can we advance the developments of the future and create new solutions that are in tune with the digital pulse of the age. Hackathons are a well-known format for stimulating creativity and promoting innovation. These involve small groups working on solutions to these challenges over a defined period of time (usually 24 – 72 hours). There are two types of hackathons:
• Open hackathons (no detailed challenge, just a framework in the form of a topic)
• Company-specific challenges (companies set challenges, start-ups as well as individuals can apply)
From the start-up's point of view, the added value lies in the generation of pilot projects and access to companies, as well as in the acquisition of potential team members through the participation of individuals.
