– Main exhibit in Hall 17, satellites for intralogistics and energy

Hannover. Demand for startups continues to grow in the manufacturing industry. Investors search for the next big thing. Big companies covet startups' innovative spirit. Employees value their creative work culture. In line with this trend, HANNOVER MESSE is expanding its startup program "Young Tech Enterprises" in 2018 with two new exhibit areas: one in Hall 19/20 for startups from the intralogistics and supply chain management sector and one in Hall 27 for young companies from the energy sector.

"With these additions we are building a bridge to CeMAT – the world's leading tradeshow for intralogistics and supply chain management, which runs parallel to HANNOVER MESSE in 2018 – as well as to HANNOVER MESSE's energy sector . Young Tech Enterprises has been HANNOVER MESSE's startup headquarters since 2016. Due to the growing annual demand – from the startups themselves as well as investors, funding networks, incubators, and bigger exhibiting companies – we are expanding the program," said Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director Research & Technology, Deutsche Messe AG.

In 2018, the main Young Tech Enterprises area is located in Hall 17. As the hub of the startup scene at the show, the program includes an exhibition as well as a forum, pitches, matchmaking events, and workshops.

The Young Tech Enterprises forum bundles talks and presentations from startups as well as startup networks, incubators end economic promotion agencies. Topics range from "Cooperation between startups and SMEs", "End goals of startups" and "Media awareness for startups" to "An open source method for digitalization", "Introduction to 3D printing" and "How do you combine excitement with expertise".

The competition "Startup Pitches @ Young Tech Enterprises" invites young companies to present briefly their products and developments. Participants compete for cash and material prizes and generate awareness in the media and among investors.

"Whether an info counter, an exhibit in a cluster park or simply a test day, our offer meets the needs of startups," explained Wedell-Castellano. "All startups at HANNOVER MESSE and CeMAT can also participate in the live program in Hall 17. The main goal is bringing together industrial startups with investors and sponsors. Proximity to all of HANNOVER MESSE's display sectors is also a major benefit."

Approximately 100 startups exhibited at Young Tech Enterprises in 2017. Fifty more exhibited at state or privately sponsored group exhibits and an additional 50 participated as individual exhibitors. The German Startups Association and the agency Factum PR in Munich are executive partners of Young Tech Enterprises.