According to a study by the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and Deutsche Bank, large family-owned German companies want to meet startups, preferably via online platforms or relevant networking events such as HANNOVER MESSE. With Young Tech Enterprises , the world's leading tradeshow for industrial technology provides founders as well as corporations, investors and sponsors with an ideal platform for connecting with each other.

"Cooperating with startups gives traditional manufacturers a big chance to improve their global competitiveness. The will to take risks and flat hierarchies enable fast decisions and agile execution, which noticeably reduces the time for rolling out new products and services," explained Olaf Daebler, Global Director at Deutsche Messe. "HANNOVER MESSE's exhibitors and visitors profit from direct access to numerous young, creative companies. Conversely, the startups have contact to more than 6,000 potential partners."

Young Tech Enterprises in Hall 13 consists of an exhibit area, forum, matchmaking events and pitches. The startups present everything from AI-based software, virtual reality, sensor technologies and logistics platforms to navigation systems, smart materials, intelligent battery packs, e-mobility, and energy solutions.

In 2018, the company watttron from Freital showed innovative heating systems for diverse industry processes, for example heterogeneous, well-defined contact surface heating. "Young Tech Enterprises enabled us as a small, young company to have a presence at the world's leading industry show," explained Michaela Wachtel, head of operations and marketing at watttron.

The Fraunhofer spinoff drag&bot from Stuttgart also exhibited in 2018 in order to present its web-based software for easy, graphical programming of industrial robots. "Our solution empowers untrained workers to deploy robots without having special robotics or IT skills," said Daniel Seebauer, founder and head of business development at drag&bot. "Young Tech Enterprises gave us the chance to meet decision-makers from relevant companies on equal footing."

The VR developers from WeAre in Berlin displayed their solutions for virtual meetings, product development and sales. "2018 was our first year at HANNOVER MESSE. The Young Tech Enterprises concept was ideal for us as a startup with a limited budget. We were able to meet with a high-quality audience and were impressed by the internationality and value of the contacts," said Felix Magdeburg, business development manager at WeAre.

Representatives from startups as well as related networks, incubators and economic development organizations give presentations and talks at the Young Tech Enterprises forum . The forum is also home to the "Startup Pitches @ Young Tech Enterprises" , where young companies briefly present their products and ideas, competing for money and material prizes, investors and media awareness.

In 2018, roughly 150 startups exhibited at Young Tech Enterprises . An additional 100 participated in various group stands or as individual exhibitors. The German Startups Association (BVDS) and the PR agency factum in Munich are executive partners of Young Tech Enterprises. BASF, Lenze and Siemens as well as Germany's Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) were partners and sponsors.