We connect Startups with German Mittelstand and Hidden Champions.
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How we work
At STRATOSFARE it’s all about venture clienting: deep cooperations between startups and corporates without transferring equity or IP. We help startups to get a purchase order – to integrate their technology into the corporates’ products, services, internal processes or business models. Based on a proof of concept or prototype, both parties evaluate the potential for further cooperation.
STARTUP
order
prototype
CORPORATE
STARTUP TECHNOLOGY
products and
services
internal
processes
business
model
Your Benefits
Entrepreneurial courage deserves respect: We appreciate startups as important partners on our path to innovative key technologies, fascinating products and intelligent processes. That’s why our collaborations happen at eye level – regardless of your company size or your age.
GET NEW CUSTOMERS, ENTER HUGE MARKETS.
While the B2C business unicorns seem to outshine everybody else, it’s easy to forget the power and size of B2B business – especially for manufacturing companies. Use your potential!
DO PILOTS, GET REFERENCES.
We are a consortium of global market leaders and strong brands that will be proud to become your reference. Let’s join forces!
MAKE DEALS, GET CASH.
We want to work on an equal basis with experienced start-up teams, so payment for services is a obvious part of the process.
WORK WITH EXPERTS, TALK TO DECISION MAKERS.
Our engineers want to learn from you, but also look back on long-term experience in developing high quality products.
JOIN THE NETWORK, BECOME FAMILY.
At first, family-owned businesses might seem rejective against outsiders. We help you to become part of the family. Join exclusive networks!
GET STRONGER, STAY INDEPENDENT.
Our team is happy to learn from you – and empower your business at the same time. Within the STRATOSFARE program we do not want IP or shares. Grow from within!
Your Skills
STRATOSFARE provides full empowerment for creative concepts. We are looking for four types of startups, but the most important factor is your mindset: Passionate, tech-savvy and ambitious to create impact!
STRONG TECHNOLOGIES
We are always interested in technologies improving performance, reducing costs or opening new opportunities.
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS
Extraordinary business ideas with future potential excite us. Show us how to disrupt markets and industries.
INSPIRING SOLUTIONS
Original and unconventional solutions help us to broaden one’s mind and rethink our activities and strategy.
PROBLEM SOLVER
We diligently work on improving our own business and products every day. Surprise us with fresh approaches to tackle pain points and streamline processes.
Your Solutions
Digital, visionary, ambitious: The STRATOSFARE team is looking for disruptive innovations in the following areas.
GREEN TECH
We aim to make the world greener and reduce our environmental footprint with sustainable products and processes. Join your mission!
FOOD TECH AND PACKAGING
We look for ways to make food healthier and more sustainable – whether through new ingredients, preparation methods or packaging. Give us a taste!
AI & ADVANCED COMPUTING
Digital products and processes produce more data than ever. But to make use out of it and improve current systems is still challenging. Let’s crack the code!
INDUSTRY 4.0
Even though we are already production-experts – time, costs and quality can always be optimized with advanced technologies. Help us to get better!
SMART HOME AND BUILDINGS
Whether at home or in the office: We are looking for intelligent concepts that make every stay more pleasant and sustainable. Take it to the next level!
HUMAN-TO-X INTERFACE
We are researching technologies enabling intuitive and easy operation as well as next level user experience for machines and buildings. Share your insights!
HEALTH TECH
Personal health is probably the most important asset. We want to help our customers to stay healthy and support them with new technologies. Let’s live up to this together!
SURPRISE US
You have something else up your sleeve we should know about? Surprise the world with your groundbreaking idea!
The Journey
We connect startups with corporates. Together we start a journey to create breakthrough innovations. This ranges from initial matchmaking over pilot projects to the planning of long term collaborations.
SOURCING
Interested startups register on our platform to become visible for our corporate partners.
MATCHING
Startups meet potential corporate partners and pitch their ideas. Together they identify possible use cases and define a promising pilot project.
PILOTPROJECTS
In close cooperation, startups and corporates build a proof of concept or even aim for a prototype.
EXPO
As a team, startups and corporates present results of their pilot project to the STRATOSFARE Consortium.
Our Team
STRATOSFARE is set up jointly by large corporates and hidden champions from the region OWL (Ostwestfalen-Lippe) in Germany. This area might not be familiar to many – but it’s actually one of the most important tech hubs in Europe. At STRATOSFARE innovation experts and technology enthusiasts from Miele, WAGO, Dr. Oetker, it’s OWL and Fraunhofer IEM come together with visionary startups to develop concepts for the future.
DANIEL KINDER
Technology Manager
DR.-ING. MAREEN VAßHOLZ
Head of Digital Transformation Office
DR.-ING. JULIAN HENTZE
Senior Technology Engineer
DR.-ING. MARTIN RABE
Head of STRATOSFARE
Startups
You are a startup and want to enter the German market? Be part of the program, do pilots and collaborate with our corporate partners.
Corporates
You are a German corporate? Join STRATOSFARE and innovate your products, services and business models using cutting-edge startup-technology.
Ecosystem Partner
You are a startup-initiative, VC or similar organisation? Get startups from your portfolio in our program and see them grow.