Guest feature | Startups@Reeperbahn pitch - we are waiting for your applications!

On September 20th, Hamburg will be THE place to be for startups and entrepreneurs. On this day, the Startups@Reeperbahn Pitch will take place. This international competition brings the best European startups together and is organized by the independent platform Hamburg Startups for the fifth time in Hamburg. How can you apply? What can I expect? It’s all coming up now.

R.E.M..Bryan Adams. Linkin Park. Pet Shop Boys. Grandmaster Flash. What do all these legendary bands and solo performers have in common? They were all on the stage of the equally legendary “Gruenspan” Club on St. Pauli in Hamburg. And your name might soon be added to the list.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to sing or play an instrument. The Startups@Reeperbahn Pitch gives you the opportunity to present your business model on this great stage. On September 20th, for the fifth year in a row, founders from all over Europe will be able to show over 150 investors, corporates, journalists and multipliers of the German digital and media industry what their startups have to offer. The winner among the five finalists will be awarded the “WELT Mediapreis”, a media budget worth €100,000.

photo credit: Hamburg Startups, Stefan Groenveld 

The very special atmosphere of the “Kiez” and the top-notch audience offer the possibility to network like never before. The event is supported by conferences with great speakers. And, of course, the popular Lovemobile will be there! A place for surprising encounters between startups and mentors.

The finalists will get an exclusive event after their performance. Hamburg Startups and Lakestar introduce them, together with EY, to selected investors. It would not be the first time that a long-term and successful business relationship commences there.

The winners of the previous competitions are proof of the benefits you can derive from it. The attention of media and capital providers, far beyond national borders made decisive contributions to their companies. This applies to the last year’s winner Baqend, as well as for example ANTELOPE or Tinnitracks.

So, apply before August 18th and secure the opportunity to convince our jury with passion and reason: Dr. Brigitte Mohn (Member of the Executive Board, Bertelsmann Foundation), Mark Hoffmann (Co-Founder & CEO Gründerszene), Dr. Cornel Wisskirchen (Managing Director, Deutsche Bank), Christian Fuhrhop (CFO WeltN24 GmbH), Gabriele Fischer (Editor in Chief & Publisher, brand eins), Sven Klenner (Director Sales e-commerce & Marketing, Thalia Buch GmbH), Tatjana Kiel (Managing Director Klitschko Ventures GmbH), Gina Deeble (Vice President Commerce Platforms QVC Germany) and Fridtjof Detzner (Founder Jimdo) will decide who is to receive the WELT Mediapreis and a Trip to SXSW. There is also an audience prize. Expect the unexpected!

To participate, you must first complete this registration form. The brief description, limited to 500 characters, is especially important. The pitch presentation – short and peppy, with a maximum of 15 slides – also needs to be submitted. And in English of course, since the finals take place in English.

Whatever your industry: food, software as a service, health tech or virtual reality; candidates from all sectors have a chance. And, as startups are notorious for being short of cash, the travel expenses to the Startups@Reeperbahn Pitch are free for one person.Whether based in Stuttgart, Tübingen or Karlsruhe, there is no reason for you not to take part in it!

Not everyone will make it to the final in Hamburg, however, all startups have the opportunity to get more visibility! The Startup Spot is a database in which innovative young companies can register for free with their most important data and key facts. This great tool can be found here.