Trade fairs Archive - prototype.club

This was HANNOVER MESSE 2026

Jessica Mantel — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:14:18 +0000

For a multiplier like prototype.club, HANNOVER MESSE 2026 proved that the most valuable trade fair conversations are the ones that don’t end at the booth. Across our dynamic stage sessions, we demonstrated how we connect concrete industrial needs with the agile tech ecosystems ready to scale them into reality.

Open Innovation Across Borders

True innovation requires a global perspective. In our first stage session, „From Rapid Prototyping to Scaled Collaboration,“ we explored how cross-industry partnerships turn rapid prototypes into resilient international ecosystems. Alongside panel experts like Lim Chaisung and Chunkwon Kim, we discussed the strategic importance of Korea-Europe testbeds. By connecting these insights with initiatives like the AGRITECHNICA ASIA Hackathon and AGMO Inc., we showcased how bridging startups with global industrial players creates a viable pathway to scale sustainable solutions across continents and markets.

How a Startup can Speed Up Corporates

It is notoriously difficult for startups to innovate rapidly within rigid corporate structures; large companies inherently take time to build trust and navigate internal decision-making. We addressed this bottleneck by focusing on robotics and industrial execution. Henning Janßen from AI Robotic provided an overview of their automated solutions, while Bosch shared critical insights into 3D printing and industrialization. To round out this forward-facing session, Lukas Fiedler from Tokenize.it added a vital perspective on how Web3 and tokenization technologies shape entirely new forms of decentralized collaboration and digital value creation, allowing corporates to transact and partner with unprecedented speed.

Bringing SPARX on Stage

The ultimate proof of our model came alive with the SPARX Challenge, an initiative tackled alongside Amprion GmbH. Amprion didn’t bring a vague innovation theme to Hannover Messe; they brought a concrete operational bottleneck: replacing bundle spacers under live-line conditions.
This project perfectly illustrates the prototype.club ecosystem advantage. We translated Amprion’s highly specific engineering need into a structured challenge, identified AI Robotic to build the automated system, and integrated Bosch early as an industrialization partner for 3D metal printing. This wasn’t a marketing show or a pitch deck competition—it was a multi-party masterclass in accelerating solution development with true operational backing.

Reviving Past Partnerships

The momentum of our ecosystem doesn’t stop when a trade show ends. We were thrilled to welcome Bruno Eisinger from Infinite Foundry back to the stage. As our Hannover Messe 2023 challenge winner with Siemens Energy, their presence was living proof of how collaboration continues long after the initial format. It highlighted that prototype.club builds lasting commercial relationships, not just temporary prototypes.

Hannover Messe 2026 made one thing clear: industrial organizations are full of oddly specific operational bottlenecks that quietly drain resources. Solving them requires clear demand signals, rigorous evaluation, and early ecosystem integration. We want to extend a massive thank you to all our brilliant panelists, partners, and attendees who joined us on stage. The conversations started in Hannover are just the beginning, and we look forward to moving more innovations from the stage directly into live application.

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Sophia Bense

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This was AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2026

Jessica Mantel — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:07:36 +0000

What a week in Bangkok! We came to AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2026 with a clear mission: ditch the corporate fluff, break down silos, and build real, field-ready solutions. Through our intensive program at the German Pavilion and on the Hackathon floor, we turned that mission into reality. By connecting German SMEs with local Asian solution providers and hosting a high-stakes hackathon, we proved that the best way to predict the future of agtech is to prototype it. Here is how our ecosystem transformed loose networking into concrete, cross-border progress.

AGRITECHNICA ASIA HACKATHON

Bringing Diverse Cultures Together for a Common Goal

Talent knows no borders, and the energy on the hackathon floor was proof of that. More than 60 brilliant minds—including hackers, organizers, and partners—came together for an intense, day-long sprint to develop the best solutions for real-world agriculture. Participants flew in from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Myanmar, and beyond, bringing a vibrant mix of different cultures from all over Asia. Working shoulder-to-shoulder, these teams proved that when you build with a „Farmer-First“ mindset, you create an instant global impact.

From Use Cases to High-Stakes Hacking

The day kicked off with an opening ceremony where partners welcomed the participants, set the stage, and presented the real-world use cases. Gernot Hofmann from Nevonex by Bosch, along with several members of the local Bosch team, was on hand to provide vital technical guidance from hour one. After a quick team-building session, the teams dived into a 5-hour hacking window. The afternoon concluded with a powerful keynote address from Christoph Janesch (Business Lead Economic Development at AWE), presented in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Celebrating Utility Over Complexity: The Winners and the Panel

We weren’t looking for tech for tech’s sake; we looked for utility, specifically judging on the „4 Ps“ (Pocket, Plate, Place, and People). The day culminated in a closing panel featuring Christoph Janesch, Thomas Riste (Bosch Management Consulting), Dr. Emil John Cabrera (SEARCA), Prof. Dr. Heinz Bernhardt (TUM), and Pasinee Tangsuriyapaisan (Enable Earth), followed by the award ceremony. A massive congratulations to our category winners who took home the launchpad for future incubation and acceleration:

Category Surprise Box Winner: Team Chicken Wings
Master of Plowing Category Winner: Team BiCPAL
Smart Farmer Monitoring Category Winner: Team The Plot Twist
Where Is My Machine Category Winner: Team BPD

Great Partners for Great Progress

Guided Matchmaking

The gap between having an innovative solution and finding the right business partner can often feel insurmountable. On May 21st, we set out to permanently close that gap. In close collaboration with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE), we hosted a curated guided matchmaking session designed for one thing only: immediate action.

We promised concrete needs instead of loose networking, and the ecosystem absolutely delivered. We brought together German SMEs and local Asian solution providers for targeted, problem-solving table sessions where every discussion was centered around a specific, pre-determined business demand. Attendees also received expert consultations on unique cooperation opportunities with GIZ and DEG. There were no wasted business cards or empty pleasantries here—just direct, curated conversations that created immediate tracks for market expansion, sustainable cooperation, and digital transformation in developing markets.

Open Innovation Across Borders

Looking back at the bustling energy of AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2026, this week was a testament to what happens when you stop over-engineering and start building for the real world. By breaking down international silos, we didn’t just talk about the future of smart farming—we prototyped it in real-time. To every participant who coded through the pressure, every exhibitor who brought their genuine business challenges to the table, and everyone who joined us for a rooftop debrief: thank you for shaping the future of global agritech.

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Sophia Bense

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This was E-world.prototype.club 2026

Jessica Mantel — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:36:16 +0000

E-world.prototype.club 2026 was more than three days at Europe’s leading energy trade fair — it became a live demonstration of how corporate ecosystems accelerate innovation. From robotics prototypes built in record time to AI-driven intelligence solutions and deep-dive discussions at the Startup Factory Masterclass, the three days showed what happens when established industry leaders, startups, and technology partners move beyond networking and start building together.

Across the SPARX challenge, the SONAR.AI finals, and curated expert sessions, one thing became clear: innovation no longer happens in isolation. It emerges when complementary players — infrastructure operators, industrial partners, research institutions and startups — combine their expertise to turn urgent industry needs into tangible solutions within weeks, not years.

The Amprion Challenges – from smart software to robust robotics – built in weeks not years

SPARX – This is what open innovation was meant for

The week kicked off with SPARX — a challenge built around a real operational need from Amprion. The task was very specific: develop robotic solutions capable of supporting critical infrastructure maintenance in complex environments. What makes SPARX different is not just the problem statement — it’s the ecosystem behind it. Within weeks, startups moved from concept to working robotic systems. With Bosch contributing metal 3D printing capabilities for custom components, Sprint Robotics supporting integration expertise, and Amprion providing direct access to field requirements, innovation didn’t happen in isolation. It happened collaboratively.

Instead of long development cycles and abstract proposals, SPARX delivered tangible prototypes — robots ready for real-world application after an exceptionally short build phase. This is exactly what open innovation is designed for: aligning corporate needs with startup speed, backed by an ecosystem that removes friction and accelerates execution.

What stood out with SPARX was not theoretical debate, but the speed and technical depth with which solutions were translated into physical prototypes.

This challenge also demonstrated what a true corporate ecosystem can unlock. Startups were able to build faster than traditional development cycles would normally allow. The result: tangible robotic solutions developed in weeks, not years.

Congratulations again to the finalists of the SPARX Challenge 2026:

🥇 AI Robotic
🥈 HiBot
🥉 ISW University of Stuttgart

The evening concluded with one clear message: this was not the end of a competition, but the beginning of collaboration. The prototypes built for SPARX are not showcase pieces — they are starting points for continued development and real-world application for many TSOs.

SONAR.AI – Trend detection at its finest specific to TSOs

The SONAR.AI finals were all about translating complex trend data into actionable insights for transmission system operators. Over the course of the challenge, the three finalists tackled the problem from different perspectives, demonstrating the variety of ways AI can support early detection of technological developments from open sources. Each approach highlighted unique strengths, showing the potential of startups to bring fresh, data-driven solutions into critical infrastructure operations.

Congratulations to the winners of the SONAR.AI Challenge 2026:

🥇 Agents Inc
🥈 Bable
🥉 Inno Yolo

The award ceremony was not just a conclusion, but a launchpad. Discussions quickly shifted from “what was built” to “what comes next,” emphasizing that the challenge doesn’t end with the finals — it’s the start of ongoing collaboration and innovation in trend detection.

Startup Factory Masterclass: Where collaboration comes alive

The Startup Factory Masterclass at E-world energy & water was a dynamic hub for exchange, bringing together corporates, startups, and ecosystem partners to explore how innovation can be accelerated when different capabilities converge. Participants from Amprion shared operational perspectives, while Tokenize.it and OmegaLambdaTec presented short, insightful overviews of their solutions and approaches. Sprint Robotics highlighted the importance of integration expertise in real-world deployments, demonstrating how corporate and startup contributions can complement each other. Everyone’s expertise comes together to create something bigger.

The session seamlessly blended with the broader corporate ecosystem discussion: it was less about formal presentations and more about understanding how diverse players — from technology providers to transmission system operators — can come together to tackle challenges faster and more effectively.

Corporate Startup Ecosystem

One of the central themes at E-world was the power of a corporate–startup ecosystem. A slide titled “More direct access to industry partners and collaboration opportunities” summed it up perfectly, featuring logos from Bosch, Amprion, and Sprint Robotics. Through SPARX, this ecosystem came to life: startups gained hands-on access to corporate expertise, technology resources like Bosch’s 3D printing capabilities, and integration guidance from Sprint Robotics — all while working on a clearly defined operational need from Amprion.

This model illustrates what prototype.club does best: connecting startups with the right corporates and ecosystem partners, so that promising ideas don’t remain concepts but quickly evolve into tangible, implementable solutions. SPARX showed that when the right players align, the result isn’t just prototypes — it’s accelerated innovation ready for real-world deployment.

Strong Partners for Progress

Moving Forward – More Progress with the Ecosystem

E-world energy & water 2026 demonstrated what happens when corporates, startups, and ecosystem partners come together with a shared purpose. From SPARX robotic prototypes to SONAR.AI’s AI-driven trend detection and the dynamic exchanges at the Startup Factory Masterclass, the week showed that innovation isn’t a solo effort — it’s a collaborative journey.

With prototype.club facilitating these connections, ideas move faster, knowledge spreads more effectively, and solutions go from concept to reality in record time. The challenges, presentations, and conversations from E-world are just the beginning: the real impact unfolds as these collaborations continue, shaping the future of energy infrastructure and proving once again that when the right players align, innovation accelerates.

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Sophia Bense

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This was NRW Energy Innovation Day 2026

Jessica Mantel — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:43:35 +0000

NRW Energy Innovation Day was more than an afternoon of panels in NRW.BANK — it was a practical look at how innovation can work in a highly regulated, security-critical environment. Here’s what happened.

The day had three central moments: first, the hands-on demos from the Amprion SPARX challenge; second, the deep dive into panels for pressing questions with expert partners after the opening by NRW.Energy4Climate, NRW.BANK, E-world energy & water and prototype.club; and third, the question of what it takes to scale responsibly — with a number of impulses from capturing real operational needs to scaling impact through data-driven operations, funding pathways and the foundation of digital sovereignty with secure European approaches.

The theme throughout: open innovation in critical infrastructure isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a disciplined process that has to and can deliver under real-world constraints when everyone contributes their expertise without having to re-invent the wheel.

The Amprion Challenge outcomes: SPARX of innovation

SPARX (Safe Powerline Access & Remote eXchange) is built around a very concrete operational need of transmission system operators like Amprion: enabling a more efficient, automated replacement of bundle spacers on high-voltage lines. In other words, it tackles a task that sits right at the intersection of safety, reliability and scalability in grid operations — and therefore in a domain where innovation has to prove itself under real-world constraints.

What stood out during the demo session was the tangible progress already achieved. Some teams, in collaboration with Bosch, even brought 3D-printed parts to make their approaches physically demonstrable. Across the teams presenting on-site and online, the range of ideas and solution strategies was impressively diverse — showing how different paths can emerge when a clearly defined need meets focused engineering creativity.

Because the finals will take place at E-world energy & water 2026, the jury did not disclose any ranking or “best team” at this stage. Still, the reaction in the room was telling: the level of preparation and the quality of the work clearly made an impact — and created real momentum for what comes next at the finalist pitches.

Two impactful panels: high-hurdle innovation and secure foundations

The program moved straight into the core questions for the energy sector: How do we innovate in “high-hurdle” operational environments — and what secure foundations are needed to scale those innovations responsibly?

Panel 1: Robotics & Networks — high-hurdle innovation in grid operations

The Robotics & Networks panel centered on the Amprion Challenge and the broader question of how robotics can be brought into grid-related contexts where safety, complexity and integration requirements are especially demanding. With perspectives including Amprion and Bosch (3D metal laser printing), the discussion highlighted the reality of innovation in critical infrastructure: progress depends on clearly defined operational needs, strong validation logic, and partner setups that move solutions from prototypes toward safe deployable pathways.

Panel 2 : Digital Sovereignty in Network Operations — secure European cloud solutions

The second panel focused on secure European cloud approaches as a practical enabler for innovation and operations in critical infrastructure. With contributions from KOINNO, Schwarz Digits, Nina Römer and OGE, the discussion framed digital sovereignty as an operational topic: security, compliance, resilience and data governance requirements have to translate into implementable architectures and collaboration models — not just principles.

Panel 3: Innovation for Critical Infrastructure — scaling under real constraints

A third panel broadened the perspective from grids and cloud foundations to critical infrastructure more broadly. With contributions from Eurowings’ Sustainability Manager, Prof. Daniel Werth (Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institut), and Greenlyte’s co-founder, the discussion explored what it takes to innovate in environments defined by regulation, safety requirements, and operational responsibility. The key thread was pragmatic: Where innovation is key to sustain these critical functions, innovation needs robust risk management, and partnerships that make scale-up realistic while staying compliant and secure.

More impulses: alliances, challenges, knowledge and scaling

Beyond the main panels, several impulses connected the dots between innovation formats and what it takes to scale them in the energy sector.

TSO Innovation Alliance & Amprion
A dedicated segment highlighted the role of the TSO Innovation Alliance and Amprion in translating operational needs into structured innovation challenges. This also included a brief introduction to SONAR.AI — an ongoing Amprion challenge aimed at identifying digital trends through AI alogrithms continuously. The underlying idea was clear: consistent demand signals and repeatable challenge formats create a practical pipeline from problem definition to solution discovery.

OmegaLambdaTec: from data to impact
In this impulse OmegaLambdaTec focused on how intelligent algorithms can make network operations more scalable and future-proof. The emphasis was on moving beyond experimentation toward operationally relevant outcomes — turning data-driven approaches into impact that can be integrated into day-to-day realities.

Tokenize.it: scaling readiness and new funding options
Tokenize.it added the scale-up dimension: strong solutions only create value when they can grow beyond a pilot. The impulse introduced innovative, fully digital funding options as one possible lever to increase flexibility and improve scale-up readiness for energy-sector innovation — complementing the technical and organisational work with a financing perspective.

Blockbrain: knowledge & agentic AI as a competitive lever
Blockbrain’s impulse framed knowledge as a strategic asset — and agentic AI as a way to make that knowledge actionable. In a sector shaped by complexity, regulation and scarce expertise, the ability to capture, structure and operationalise organisational knowledge can become a decisive advantage — especially when the goal is to move faster without compromising safety or compliance.

The day deliberately left room for conversation. Networking on-site and an informal after-work offsite meetups created space to deepen discussions, connect the right stakeholders, and turn the day’s topics into concrete next steps.

A diverse array of contributors

Looking Back — and Forward

Open innovation is clearly a necessity in high-tech critical infrastructure — but the real question is how to make it compatible with the highest safety and security requirements. KRITIS operators arguably face the strongest need for innovation, because the system has to keep performing optimally under growing future complexity.

At the same time, the very standards that protect reliability can become innovation killers: everything needs to be validated and approved again and again. The main takeaway from the day was that this trade-off isn’t solved by “moving faster,” but by designing the right context setup — with clear demand signals, rigorous validation, and strong partners from industry and academia — so innovation becomes both safe and scalable.

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AUTHOR

Sophia Bense

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This was DLG.prototype.club 2025

Jessica Mantel — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:14:05 +0000

AGRITECHNICA 2025 was more than a week at the world’s leading agricultural fair — it showed how quickly ideas turn into solutions when startups, corporates, and researchers work side by side. Here’s what happened.

For prototype.club, this meant three central moments: the demos of the PTx Challenge on Monday, the full innovation programme on Thursday with the DLG Hackathon and the Open Innovation Showcase, and once again the Startup Factory Masterclass as a hub of conversations with both familiar faces and new players. The theme was clear: open innovation isn’t optional — it’s necessary.

The PTx Challenge – Turning a complex problem into seven distinct solutions

The week kicked off with one of the more technical challenges we’ve hosted:
“3D-Based Path Planning for Agricultural Machinery.”

PTx invited startups and research teams to design algorithms capable of generating optimised, fuel-saving and adaptive field paths – not just in two, but in three dimensions. What could have been an abstract academic exercise instead became a high-energy competition. The teams didn’t bring concepts; they brought functioning approaches based on the data provided by PTx.

While the jury expected variations of the same solution, they got the opposite. Each team uncovered different angles, different logics, different interpretations of the problem. A key message from the jury room: the diversity of thinking revealed opportunities PTx hadn’t considered yet, expanding PTx’s perspective on what future collaborations could look like.

This year also marked the second collaboration between AGCO and prototype.club, strengthening a partnership built on technical depth and genuine exploration. Congratulations again to the winners of the PTx Challenge 2025:

🥇 Verge Ag
🥈 Nature Robotics
🥉 FindKlein

The evening concluded in the AGCO Lounge, where discussions quickly moved from “what was built” to “what comes next”. Both sides left with a clear message: this challenge didn’t end at the award ceremony — it started something.

DLG Hackathon — One day. One use case. Real prototypes.

At the DLG Hackathon, developers, students and young innovators worked on use cases from Bosch and ITK Engineering around precision spraying alogrithms and biodiversity. Teams explored how existing solutions can be combined with new logic to ensure accurate spraying, improve resource efficiency and safeguard species.

The winning team, Agrosense, delivered an impressively clear and scalable idea in only a few hours – a dmonstrated approach that mentors and partners immediately found as „ready to grow“. Alongside the hackathon, the Biodiersity Workshop with BioMonitor4CAP brought together perspectives from ecology, data sciene and agriculture. The conversations revolved around how to capturelong-term ecosystem health and how technology can support resilience instead of short-term snapshots.

DLG Open Innovation Showcase — New perspectives, new signals

The DLG Open Innovation Showcase created one of the most dynamic exchanges of the entire week. Created by DLG, Corporate perspectives, academic insights and startup speed all met in the same room — and it worked.Several sessions explored how startup solutions drive smart farming technologies.

Contributions in our session came from PTx and their winning team Verge Agriculture, as well as from Fraunhofer IGD, tying back to the challenge jointly hosted in previous years. The Agency for Business & Economic Development offered a global angle by highlighting international collaboration opportunities across markets. It was a rare moment where very different types of innovation pathways were given the same stage — and together formed a clearer picture of where the industry is heading.

Tanja Rückert, CDO at Bosch, also stopped by the DLG.prototype.club. She took the opportunity to see the hackathon teams’ ideas firsthand and to get insights into NevoNex — Bosch’s open, cross-manufacturer technology that brings digital services directly onto agricultural machinery. It clearly shows how essential Open Innovation formats have become for companies.

A diverse array of partnerships

Looking Back — and Forward

AGRITECHNICA 2025 was a powerful reminder that innovation in agriculture accelerates when people with different skill sets work on the same problem.

From advanced path-planning to biodiversity insights, from prototypes built in eight hours to long-term research collaborations — this week showed what becomes possible when the boundaries between startups, corporates, researchers and young talent dissolve.

We’re proud of every team, partner, mentor, and expert who helped make these days what they were. And we’re already looking forward to what grows from here.

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Impressions

AUTHOR

Sophia Bense

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Der Beitrag This was DLG.prototype.club 2025 erschien zuerst auf prototype.club.

This was IAA.prototype.club 2025

Jessica — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:58:53 +0000

IAA MOBILITY 2025 in Munich once again proved the power of true collaboration – when policymakers, corporates, startups, investors, and researchers come together in one place. For us at prototype.club, it was a special experience to bridge these perspectives and work jointly on the future of mobility.

Strong Impulses from Politics and Industry

It was an honor to welcome Hildegard Müller (VDA) at our booth and to share the stage with leaders such as Isabelle Kirschbaum-Rupf. With Christian Hirte (Federal Ministry for Transport) as patron and the VDA as partner, we were able to bring central challenges into focus – from very concrete problems to strategic questions shaping the industry’s future.

StartupFactory Masterclass – Surviving the Automotive Journey

In our StartupFactory Masterclass, we discussed with experts such as Dr. Jennifer Kaiser-Steiner (UnternehmerTUM), Stephanie Reimann Izhak (Volkswagen Group), Sebastian Grimm (move+ Accelerator), and Nic Knapp (TUM Venture Labs) how startups can survive in the highly complex automotive world.
The message was clear: work with the best solutions and avoid inefficient structures. This is exactly why prototype.club creates efficient, often cross-industry formats for collaboration.

Together Against Truck Parking Chaos

The shortage of truck parking has been known for decades – but never solved. Drivers lose valuable hours every day searching for spots, costing time, money, and nerves. At IAA, we officially kicked off a new initiative to finally address this:

Data provision: Mobilithek & DLR deliver open data
Innovation: Startups & technology partners create new solutions
Reach: Associations & politics ensure visibility and adoption
Validation: Drivers test and provide live feedback

The goal: within just one year, to create a scalable, data-driven standard for truck parking search – open, sustainable, and accessible for everyone.
On board: DLR, Toll Collect, and the Mobilithek.

Become part of the initative

Startup Reception

At the Startup Get-Together, hosted by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, international perspectives took center stage – with particularly strong impulses from the Israeli startup ecosystem.
A true highlight: the first-ever live investment on Tokenize.it, right on stage. Our CEO Christian took the opportunity to invest live in OmegaLambdaTec GmbH – a strong signal of how fast and transparent startup financing can work today.

Produktivity Booster Deep Dives

At the VDA Mittelstandstag follow-up, Blockbrain showed how AI-driven knowledge management can boost productivity. With further insights from Bosch SDS, OmegaLambdaTec and BABLE Smart Cities, it became clear: these technologies are urgently needed for the industry’s future.

IAA MOBILITY Hackathon

In one day, teams worked on BYOD solutions, crash-data systems, and agentic AI applications – showing how quickly innovation can move when the right people, platforms like digital.auto, Mendix and further technologies come together.

The challenges

For us, IAA MOBILITY 2025 was more than just a trade fair. It was proof that innovation happens where different players come together openly and act jointly. Our mission remains clear: we are the fast lane between corporates, startups, and innovators – and we will continue to build this bridge to accelerate innovation where it is needed most.

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Patronage

Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear participants,

It is my great pleasure to be the patron of this year’s IAA.prototype.club. The innovation competition brings start-ups and established companies together to work on concrete solutions for the mobility of tomorrow.

Since 2021, the competition has been held alternately at IAA MOBILITY and IAA TRANSPORTATION – in close cooperation with the VDA. The platform not only offers young companies visibility, but also access to experts from industry, research, and politics. For me, patronage is not just a formal gesture, but an active contribution to promoting this format. I am delighted to support the competition in this way.

I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and wish you inspiring encounters, creative ideas, and every success in the further development of your prototypes.

Kind regards

Christian Hirte
Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Transport

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Der Beitrag This was IAA.prototype.club 2025 erschien zuerst auf prototype.club.

This was HANNOVER MESSE 2025

Jessica — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 08:07:29 +0000

Agentic AI for Off-Highway – developed at record speed with Bosch, FSTI & startups

Five days full of conversations, ideas, technology – and a hefty dose of the future. For us at prototype.club, Hannover Messe 2025 was more than just a trade show: it was a stage for real collaboration, bold innovation, and powerful partnerships.

Time to look back at what we achieved together.

HACK4INDUSTRY – Where Agentic AI meets Off-Highway

One of our absolute highlights was HACK4INDUSTRY, organized in partnership with Bosch SDS and the digital.industry initiative from the Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institut.

The challenge: develop AI agents in record time to solve real-world problems in the Off-Highway sector – from predictive maintenance to automated driver assistance systems.

Imagine construction machinery, forestry vehicles, or agricultural equipment that can detect part failures early, trigger maintenance automatically, or navigate difficult terrain on their own.

Seven international startups stepped up to the challenge, including:

Starwit Technologies GmbH
Incoretex GmbH
Tensor AI Solutions GmbH
UNIO Enterprise
OmegaLambdaTec GmbH
Infinite Foundry
ETGR TECH

Kai Hackbarth from Bosch SDS on the challenge:

“The innovations that emerged in such a short time really impressed our team. Huge thanks to everyone involved – especially prototype.club for coordinating and curating the startup lineup.”

CIOmatch – A different kind of trade fair tour

For the first time, we joined the CIOmatch tour at Hannover Messe – and it was absolutely worth it.

Together with an international group of CIOs and partners like Fusion Campus, TK Elevator, and hannoverimpuls, we explored the exhibition and visited some amazing stations – and then made our own mark.

Our contribution:
Outdoors, in the sunshine, powered by Red Bull, we shared our perspective on “How innovation partnerships between corporates, associations, and startups really work.”

We talked about the common roadblocks – from internal processes and expectation gaps to lack of visibility. And we dove into what’s really needed to bring innovation to life: clear roles, trusted collaboration, and safe spaces to experiment.

Let’s not forget this highlight either

During the Google Cloud & adesso SE hackathon, a fictional crime case was solved – live, interactive, and refreshingly down-to-earth – using generative AI.

A great example of how to make tech tangible – and why we loved sharing it further.

Resonance that sticks

Whether from our own team or external partners – we’re thrilled about the strong feedback that shows the impact and perception of our formats:

Christian Schweizer, CEO of prototype.club:

“In a short amount of time, real solutions were developed – made possible by a strong ecosystem that prototype.club helped shape.”

Hannover Messe (official channel):

“With formats like Hack4Industry, the lead theme of the fair – industrial transformation – becomes tangible.”

A big thank you to our partners

This trade show experience wouldn’t have been possible without you:

Bosch SDS – for trust, boldness, and co-creation
digital.industry by the Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institut – for strategic depth and operational excellence
hannoverimpuls – for the trust and strong presence

All participating startups – for your commitment, your ideas, and your energy

The bottom line: We’re building the future – together

prototype.club isn’t a showroom. We’re the bridge – between problems and solutions, between industry and startups, between ideas and prototypes.

Hannover Messe 2025 proved it once again:
When the right people come together, real change happens.

Stay in the loop

Want to know what formats are coming up next?
Which partners we’re currently working with – and how you can contribute your ideas?

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Jessica Wrobel

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Der Beitrag This was HANNOVER MESSE 2025 erschien zuerst auf prototype.club.

This was E-world.prototype.club 2025

Jessica — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:21:26 +0000

Innovation, Networking, and Strong Partnerships

What solutions does the energy industry need to remain future-proof? How can urban infrastructures be used more intelligently and energy distributed more efficiently? And what role do startups and collaborations play in this transformation? At E-World 2025, we explored these and many other questions with strong partners. In the following highlights, you’ll learn about the innovative approaches presented and the key takeaways from the event.

Speed-Dating: Matchmaking for the Energy Industry

One of the key highlights was our speed-dating format, bringing together startups and established industry players. In short, focused conversations, innovative solution providers had the chance to connect directly with decision-makers and validate their ideas in real-time.

On Day 1, the focus was on APCOA, discussing smart solutions for urban infrastructure and new ideas for the more sustainable use of parking spaces and charging infrastructure.

On Day 2, the speed-dating continued with BOTfriends, where AI-driven solutions for the energy sector were showcased. Industry players exchanged ideas on concepts for digital customer communication and automation.

Smart Use of Urban Infrastructure

Our collaboration with APCOA started at IAA 2024, where we laid the groundwork for innovative urban infrastructure solutions (learn more here). Since then, we have been strategic partners, continuously working to bring innovations into cities.

At E-world 2025, we continued this journey. On our landing page, startups and companies can continuously apply to contribute innovations for the APCOA Urban Hubs. During the event, two specific challenges were in focus, for which targeted live demos were presented:

Solutions for intelligent analysis tool to determine demand
Solutions for local energy storage systems to secure EV demand at peak times

A total of ten young companies showcased their solutions and established valuable connections for future collaborations.

APCOA was thrilled with the collaboration, the innovative solutions, and the formats at E-world. Dirk Kreienborg summed it up:

„It was great to have us here on board setting up the demos, the speed dating and having this great panel with other experts on stage.“

Panel Discussion: Power Move – Smart Grids for Large Consumers and the Mobility of Tomorrow

A packed room and an ambitious agenda – our panel discussion was one of the standout moments on Day 2. Together with Smart Grids BW, leading rental infrastructure operators, NRW.Energy4Climate, energy suppliers and top researchers, we tackled the pressing challenges of developing high-performance charging infrastructures for heavy-duty transport.

The challenge: With more and more e-trucks on the road, pressure on the grids is increasing. Where and how should these vehicles be charged? Fast-charging networks for long-distance transportation require vast amounts of energy – intelligent grid integration is essential.

Key discussion topics: Our experts agreed: grid stability alone is not enough. Load flexibility, economic feasibility, regulatory adjustments, and user-friendly concepts must be combined to build a sustainable and efficient charging infrastructure.

Panel speakers:

Christian Schweizer – CEO, prototype.club
Richard Röhr – UTA Edenred: Combining energy infrastructure and mobility demands
Rainer Enzenhöfer – TransnetBW GmbH: Impact of high-power chargers on the grid
Dirk Kreienborg – APCOA: Strategy for charging hubs and business models
Michael Krause – Team One Developers GmbH: Digitalization in the automotive industry
Akram El-Bahay – NRW.Energy4Climate: The role of flexibility and regulatory requirements
Dr.-Ing. Daniel Stetter, Fraunhofer IAO, unfortunately unable to attend

Christian Schweizer’s conclusion:

„The topic is highly complex and multifaceted. There is no single solution – different players must develop smart concepts across multiple areas. Ultimately, one thing is needed above all: user-friendly applications that truly meet the needs of the users.“

Prototype.club brings Innovation to the Road

E-world 2025 once again showed us: the best ideas emerge when visionary minds come together. With our formats, we have created exactly that space – enabling insightful discussions and forming the foundation for future projects. We are excited about the next steps and look forward to further driving innovation in the energy sector!

AUTHOR

Jessica Wrobel

Marketing expert with a passion for storytelling, SEO, and social media

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This was RLP Smart Farming Hackathon 2024

Jessica Mantel — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 11:45:22 +0000

In December 2024, Rheinland-Pfalz cemented its reputation as the beating heart of agricultural innovation. The RLP Smart Farming Hackathon 2024, presented by the Innovationsagentur RLP, brought together around 100 visionaries, tech enthusiasts, students, and industry experts. Over two intense days, minds clashed and ideas flowed at the Fraunhofer IESE and BIC Kaiserslautern. The goal? To push the boundaries of technology and shape the sustainable, digitalized agriculture of tomorrow.

Catch the Highlights: RLP Smart Farming Hackathon 2024

Driving Innovation: Why the RLP Hackathon Matters

The agricultural sector is facing unprecedented ecological and economic challenges. From shifting weather patterns to the need for stricter resource management, the „farming of tomorrow“ requires bold, digital answers.

The 2024 Hackathon was designed to bridge the gap between theory and the field by focusing on three core pillars:

Fostering Innovation & Competition: Developing practical use cases to boost efficiency and sustainability.
Initiating Collaborations: Creating a dynamic networking platform for startups, researchers, corporations, and local farmers.
Strengthening the Community: Boosting the visibility of Rheinland-Pfalz as a premier hub for agritech innovation.

Aligning Innovation with Global Impact: Our Commitment to the SDGs

The Challenges: 5 Use Cases Transforming the Field

In our At the core of the hackathon were five highly specialized, real-world use cases. Teams worked tirelessly, aligning their technical solutions with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure a lasting impact.

1. Viticulture: The Stressed Vineyard

The Mission: Turn multispectral drone imagery and hyperspectral camera data into actionable prescription maps.
The Impact: Enabled targeted, preventative spraying and reduced fertilizer usage, promoting climate action and resource conservation.
Partners: BioVation RLP, Weincampus Neustadt (SDGs 6, 12, 13)

2. CO2-Optimized Grain Production

The Mission: Automate the gathering of public, historical, and real-time data to plan compliant, sustainable fertilization.
The Impact: Created automated nitrogen efficiency calculations, CO2e footprint tracking, and precise application maps, drastically reducing manual errors for farmers.
Partners: Rauch, John Deere, xarvio (BASF), ITK Engineering, Fraunhofer IESE, and more (SDGs 9, 13)

3. Farm-to-Fork: Digital Wine Marketing

The Mission: Develop innovative, digitalized direct-marketing strategies to help small, local winters combat shifting consumer habits and intense market competition.
The Impact: Empowered smaller vineyards to bypass massive supermarket supply chains and boost local sales.
Partners: Weincampus Neustadt (SDGs 9, 12)

4. Robotics: Intelligent Control in the Barn

The Mission: Tackle autonomous robot navigation challenges within complex environments like poultry barns.
The Impact: Automated routine data collection, relieved farmers from physically strenuous labor, and increased farm competitiveness.
Partners: Big Dutchman (SDGs 8, 9, 13)

5. Smart Irrigation for Vegetable Farming

The Mission: Implement digital irrigation control systems to combat rising temperatures and volatile rainfall.
The Impact: Adapted crop management to climate change while securing economic sustainability and food security.
Partners: BRiverfox by Heliopas.ai (SDGs 2, 9, 13)

Progress needs Great Partners

48 Hours of Pure Energy

The atmosphere across both venues was electric. Participants didn’t just code; they lived the ultimate hacker experience, fueled by great food, networking, and a shared passion.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Beyond the prize money, the true reward of the RLP Smart Farming Hackathon 2024 was the community built along the way. Industry leaders acted as mentors, students turned theoretical knowledge into rapid prototypes, and new cross-sector friendships were forged.

Thank you to all our incredible partners, mentors, guests, and, most importantly, our brilliant participants. You didn’t just code for two days—you helped shape the future of sustainable agriculture in Rheinland-Pfalz.

AUTHOR

Sophia Bense

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This was IAA.prototype.club 2024

Jessica — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 09:04:03 +0000

All Eyes On The Startup Area

The IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 was more than just a trade fair — it was a bold statement about the future of mobility. At prototype.club, we brought together the brightest minds, the most disruptive startups and industry giants to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing urban infrastructure, road safety, and sustainability.

APCOA Challenge: Smart Urban Infrastructure

One of the major highlights was the APCOA Challenge, which focused on optimizing urban spaces through innovative parking and city infrastructure solutions. Startups like PIONIX GmbH, SimParQ GmbH, RiDERgy, EatFresh GmbH, and fleetbay GmbH brought fresh perspectives and game-changing ideas to the table. From smart parking systems to efficient use of urban space, their concepts inspired lively discussions about future collaborations.

As Niels Christ from APCOA put it,

“The discussions with startups revealed the immense creativity in developing sustainable and smart urban space solutions. We’re excited about potential partnerships ahead.”

We will continue to work together in the future. As a decentralized development department, we contribute to the successful development of the Urban Hubs.

APCOA’s permanent challenge

Announcing the Daimler Truck Challenge: Driver's Vital & Mood Detection Challenge

At the IAA Transportation 2024, we proudly kicked off the Driver’s Vital & Mood Detection Challenge in partnership with Daimler Truck AG. This challenge, which is now officially underway, focuses on developing cutting-edge technology that monitors the health and emotional state of truck drivers in real-time. By detecting signs of fatigue or stress through biometric data, the system aims to proactively enhance road safety and support drivers on long journeys. We’re excited to see how this groundbreaking technology evolves throughout the challenge and look forward to the innovations that will reshape safety in the trucking industry. Stay tuned as the challenge unfolds!

See the challenge

The Heart of Innovation: Startups from Around the World

At the heart of IAA 2024 was the Startup Area, where prototype.club proudly presented 36 startups from 15 countries, each bringing cutting-edge technologies to the forefront. From e-mobility and hydrogen solutions to the latest advancements in digital infrastructure, these startups showcased a vision of a more sustainable and connected future.

With constant activity at our stand—thanks to our popular photo booth and startup pitches—industry experts, investors, and curious attendees engaged in meaningful discussions on how to turn these innovations into real-world solutions.

Red Bull Basement Workshop: Empowering Startups

A key feature of the IAA was the Red Bull Basement Workshop, where startups had the opportunity to refine their problem-solving approaches through Design Thinking. The workshop covered essential topics like fundraising, team dynamics, and business model innovation, offering participants practical tools to scale their ideas. A recurring theme throughout the sessions was the importance of customer feedback in shaping a startup’s direction—reinforcing that successful innovation is built on real-world insights.

Inspiring Panels and Keynotes

The IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 wasn’t just about showcasing products—it was a platform for thought leadership. Mendix delivered an impactful keynote on low-code technologies, demonstrating how businesses can accelerate their growth by simplifying software development. In the BANULA Infrastructure Panel, experts explored decentralized solutions for heavy-duty vehicle charging, while TÜV NORD shared a success story of collaborating with a startup to create a click-dummy prototype. These sessions not only inspired the audience but also provided a glimpse into the next generation of mobility solutions.

A Patron of Innovation Returns

We were honored to welcome Daniela Kluckert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, back to the prototype.club stand as a patron of innovation. Her presence underscored the vital role that startups play in shaping the future of mobility and highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry, government, and innovators. Kluckert’s support is a testament to the growing recognition of startups as key players in the mobility ecosystem

Looking Forward: A Bright Future for Mobility Innovation

The IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 was a real milestone for us at prototype.club and the entire mobility industry. From inspiring startup challenges to exciting panels and exciting networking events – this year’s IAA showed us that innovation is not only alive, but is really picking up speed. The many valuable discussions, new partnerships and the openness of our partners to not only get to know new ideas, but also to use them, were simply impressive.

As the heart and marketplace of the start-up sector, we had the wonderful opportunity to promote creative ideas and develop forward-looking solutions together. The most diverse minds came together here – from visionary founders, scientists and politicians to investors and decision-makers from established companies. This diversity and the exchange of ideas are essential for shaping the mobility of the future.

One thing is clear: if you have good ideas, and there are many, you can seize the opportunity to join the world market leaders and really make a difference.

Impressions

AUTHOR

Laura Kolnsberg

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