Innovations at a glance: INNODAY 2023 makes Darmstadt shine

Innovations at a glance: INNODAY 2023 makes Darmstadt shine

INNODAY 2023 took place today in the darmstadtium in the heart of Darmstadt, and it was truly a highlight for all innovators and start-ups in the region. With over 1,400 visitors and more than 100 exhibitors, the atmosphere was vibrant. The event, organized by HIGHEST, the innovation and start-up center at TU Darmstadt, offers a valuable platform for scientists, entrepreneurs and talents to present new technologies and prototypes. The focus is on the areas of AI, production, energy, mobility, security and new materials, all of which play a central role at INNODAY.

What drives this event? Dr. Walter Pferdedick from the Hessian Ministry for Digitalization and Innovation highlighted the strength of the digital and innovation ecosystem in Hesse. Hanno Benz, the mayor of Darmstadt, also emphasized the innovative strength and the strong startup network in the city. “There is enormous potential here that we want to continue to exploit,” said Benz. Harald Holzer, Managing Director of HIGHEST, pointed out the importance of this event for the transfer of research results into the market.

Insight into current trends

INNODAY not only represents a networking platform, but also a look into the future. Students, researchers and corporate partners are invited to actively participate in the design of new technological solutions. This is very important at TU Darmstadt, which is committed to an excellent research and transfer setup. It is fascinating to see how Darmstadt's national and international role in technology transfer continues to develop.

The current analysis of the Hessian start-up landscape also shows a clear trend: There are currently 237 AI startups in Hesse, which corresponds to an increase of 43% compared to the previous year. Over 70% of these start-ups were founded in the last five years, showing clear changes in the innovation scene. A total of 410 million euros in investment capital was raised and it is expected that 2,000 to 7,100 jobs will be created, with the realistic average being around 4,500 jobs. Starting hub Hesse highlights that around 40% of these start-ups have their origins at universities, mainly at the TU Darmstadt as well as the Goethe University Frankfurt and the University of Kassel.

Support and challenges

The close integration of cutting-edge research, entrepreneurship and targeted funding is the key to strengthening the innovation landscape in Hesse. Despite the positive developments, founders face challenges such as bureaucracy, access to capital and lengthy decision-making processes in established companies. However, the proximity to universities is valued by the start-ups as a significant advantage, which further strengthens the innovative strength of the region. The Department of Statistics and Urban Research in Darmstadt supports these developments by providing and analyzing relevant statistical data, which is invaluable for planning and implementing projects.

In summary, INNODAY 2023 impressively shows how dynamic the innovation scene is in Darmstadt and Hesse. A strong network consisting of start-ups, research institutions and an active city administration lays the foundation for a prosperous future in technology and entrepreneurship. Connecting talent with capital and industry remains a central goal.