380 applications, 40 countries, 6 continents: The CODE_n CONTEST makes Karlsruhe go global!

06/01/2016  |  CODE_n16 Startup CONTEST, new.New Festival, Startups

Over the last three months, 380 startups from literally all over the globe submitted their application for this year’s CODE_n CONTEST “Unveiling digital disruption”. The deadline ended at midnight – sharp – and what we can tell already is that the first impression of submitted business models is quite impressive. CODE_n initiator and GFT CEO Ulrich Dietz is sure that “we’ll once again showcase this year’s highlights from the world of digital technology” – this time at our own new.New Festival in Karlsruhe.

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There, behind the doors and all around the area of the Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM), 50 of the 380 applicants will get the chance to present their unique ideas revolving around the four CONTEST clusters Applied FinTechs, Connected Mobility, HealthTech and Photonics 4.0. They will get to meet our well-known partners, possible investors, potential customers, politicians, the media and research bodies.

As our new.New Festival website (which also went live today!) states: It’s the perfect place for digital pioneers, startups, lateral thinkers, experienced innovators – it might even be the perfect place for you! That is, if your into digital innovation. The CODE_n CONTEST jury, made of renowned experts from the world of business and media, will pick the 50 best candidates and make sure you will get to see 50 ideas with plenty of novelty and a high level of quality. Here’s a little sneak preview from what they get to choose from:

Applied FinTechs and Photonics 4.0: Of personalised solutions and highly specific technologies

GFT, having taken over the patronage of the Applied FinTechs cluster, has attracted startups focused on person-to-person payments, non-banking solutions, blockchain and bitcoin technologies as well as robotrade. There are special analytics solutions for the capital market, smart insurance technologies for consulting services and even personalized apps for the individual: no matter the field, all startups left no doubt that they have a creative mind.

Photonics 4.0, a highly specific cluster under the patronage of Trumpf, brings a set of highly specific technologies to life. A rather unique group of participants stand out here – working on solutions based on 3D printing, sensors for optimized manufacturing, (3D) imaging technologies or laser solutions. All of these business models reflect prior in-depth research programs.

Enablers of Connected Mobility and angles for the HealthTech sector

HPE, patron of the Connected Mobility cluster, finds startups with solutions from driving behaviour to fuel and energy consumptions among the applicants. Traffic regulation with respect for driverless vehicles, indoor GPS solutions for-large scale warehousing or rapid “last mile delivery” options are just a few examples. There are also enhanced tracking solutions for good transportation as well as car and parking space sharing.

The HealthTech cluster features ideas revolving around physical health, mental health and lifestyle options. Digital diabetes solutions, clever interactive guide apps related to pregnancy or feminine cycles and a number of solutions to promote mental health are among the submitted business models. Even the networked analysis of bodily functions is featured. More teasers desired? A heart pacemaker sending signals to a cell phone or customized prosthetics, new surgery technologies or remote solutions for physical therapy. We’re already well impressed.

The jury now has the difficult yet exiting task of reviewing all the applications in order to select the 50 best business models. Before announcing the overall winner of the CODE_n Award in September, we will present you the Top 50 in early July. Before all of that, we will have regular updates of highlighs concerning the new.New Festival for you. Make sure you register on our Festival website to stay tuned!

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Find out all about the jury in today’s CODE_n press release or stay tuned. We will present it here shortly.