Launch of the Incubator Program: startport Welcomes 6 New Startups to the Inner Harbor
At startport in Duisburg’s Inner Harbor, things are getting underway again. Six new startups from the logistics and supply chain sector are starting the incubator program in the new batch (Batch #7). This year, the focus is on local proximity to the region and Europe’s largest inland port. Therefore, it is not surprising that the number of participants is not close to 30 startups as in the previous year. Since the launch of the innovation platform in 2017, the program’s popularity among founders has continuously grown across Europe:
Quantitatively, there are fewer startups, but the quality of those admitted to the program has increased significantly, and collaboration can be even closer. Furthermore, we connect our exclusive partners directly with promising startups through Innovation Challenges, enabling them to specifically solve the partners’ questions and needs. We look forward to celebrating our 5th anniversary soon and moving forward with our new strategy,” says Johannes Franke, Managing Director of startport. The new batch includes startups from diverse thematic areas. KATMA CleanControl, CO2OPT GmbH, MANSIO GmbH, Logistikbude GmbH, Innovative Robot Delivery GmbH, and CYBRID are represented with topics such as full automation, robotics, decarbonization, artificial intelligence, route optimization, digitalization, and the use of exoskeletons to reduce heavy physical labor in logistics.
startport Batches Now with a Local Focus
Since the first four startups moved into the Inner Harbor in 2018, startport has supported a total of over 90 startups to date. The batches grew continuously: nine startups were admitted in the second batch, seven in the third, 15 in the fourth, and around 30 startups each in the fifth and sixth. By supporting the new startups, companies in the Rhine-Ruhr region and logistics companies are to be brought together to initiate joint projects. As a subsidiary of Duisburg Port, startport thus promotes the use of new technologies in industry and logistics. “Germany remains a world leader in logistics and therefore has the drive to dedicate itself to innovative solutions regarding current logistics trends. These include emission reduction and the use of AI in the digitalization of supply chains. This is where startups come in and can support established companies,” says Jana Honeftidis, Startup and Community Manager at startport.
Matchmaking and Networking: What Awaits Startups in the startport Incubator Program
The startport team supports the founders for a full year in various areas, providing advice and assistance. The following program services are included in the twelve months: close support in creating a first prototype through mentors in the partner network, individual matching for projects and potential customers, networking with investors at the Investor Day, exclusive access to events for network expansion, individually tailored and free workshops with expert knowledge from industry experts, support in PR and marketing communication, and attractive workspaces in the co-working space.
Upon completion of the Incubator Program, they are equipped with industry expertise and able to bring their innovations for logistics and the supply chain to market.
Pilot Projects between Partners and Startups
As a subsidiary of Duisburger Hafen AG, startport has built a strong partner network in its almost 5 years of existence. This includes regional players such as Bohnen Logistik, Knauf Interfer, Duisburg Intermodal Terminal, and Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg. These are connected with specific startups in so-called Innovation Challenges, enabling them to successfully launch pilot projects. Through this new startport format, tailor-made innovations are assigned to the right companies, and development at the Duisburg location is driven forward.