Hero Image Hero Image

We connect Startups with German Mittelstand and Hidden Champions.

Want to be connected?

Get in touch
stratosfare-logowall_miele.svg
stratosfare-logowall_wago.svg
stratosfare-logowall_fraunhofer.svg
stratosfare-logowall_its-owl.svg

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

purchase order
proof of concept /prototype

CORPORATE

Background

STARTUP TECHNOLOGY

products and
services

internal
processes

business
model

01

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.

icon-new-customers.svg

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!

icon-pilots.svg

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!

icon-make-deals.svg

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.

icon-work-with-experts.svg

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.

icon-join-the-network.svg

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!

icon-get-stronger.svg

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!

02

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!

icon-strong-technologies.svg

STRONG TECHNOLOGIES

We are always interested in technologies improving performance, reducing costs or opening new opportunities.

icon-innovative-business-model.svg

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS

Extraordinary business ideas with future potential excite us. Show us how to disrupt markets and industries.

icon-inspiring-solutions.svg

INSPIRING SOLUTIONS

Original and unconventional solutions help us to broaden one’s mind and rethink our activities and strategy.

icon-problem-solver.svg

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.

03

Your Solutions

Digital, visionary, ambitious: The STRATOSFARE team is looking for disruptive innovations in the following areas.

Stratosfare_Visuals_solutions_green-tech@2x.png

GREEN TECH

We aim to make the world greener and reduce our environmental footprint with sustainable products and processes. Join your mission!

stratosfare-visual-food-tech@2x.png

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!

stratosfare-visual-advanced-computing@2x.png

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!

Stratosfare_Visuals_solutions_industry4.0@2x.png

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!

Stratosfare_Visuals_solutions_smart-home@2x.png

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!

Stratosfare_Visuals_solutions_hmi@2x.png

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!

Stratosfare_Visuals_solutions_health-tech@2x.png

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!

Stratosfare_Visuals_solutions_surprise-us@2x.png

SURPRISE US

You have something else up your sleeve we should know about? Surprise the world with your groundbreaking idea!

04

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.

icon-sourcing.svg

SOURCING

Interested startups register on our platform to become visible for our corporate partners.

icon-selection.svg

MATCHING

Startups meet potential corporate partners and pitch their ideas. Together they identify possible use cases and define a promising pilot project.

icon-pilotprojects.svg

PILOTPROJECTS

In close cooperation, startups and corporates build a proof of concept or even aim for a prototype.

icon-expo.svg

EXPO

As a team, startups and corporates present results of their pilot project to the STRATOSFARE Consortium.

05

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

DANIEL KINDER

Technology Manager

LinkedIn Logo Weltkugel Logo
DANIEL KINDER

DR.-ING. MAREEN VAßHOLZ

DR.-ING. MAREEN VAßHOLZ

Head of Digital Transformation Office

LinkedIn Logo Weltkugel Logo
DR.-ING. MAREEN VAßHOLZ

DR.-ING. MARTIN RABE

DR.-ING. MARTIN RABE

Head of STRATOSFARE

LinkedIn Logo Weltkugel Logo
DR.-ING. MARTIN RABE

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.

APPLY NOW

Corporates

You are a German corporate? Join STRATOSFARE and innovate your products, services and business models using cutting-edge startup-technology.

JOIN OUR FAMILY

Ecosystem Partner

You are a startup-initiative, VC or similar organisation? Get startups from your portfolio in our program and see them grow.

PARTNER WITH US
Stratosfare Logo
  • Privacy
  • Imprint

© 2024 Stratosfare