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Active right now4Open innovation projects
Transform Healthcare. Scale in Essen.
Transform Healthcare. Scale in Essen. logo

Transform Healthcare. Scale in Essen.

Can your solution in AI, MedTech, or digital health transform how hospitals deliver and manage care? Whether it’s predictive analytics, robotic surgery, digital therapeutics, or smart hospital systems—join EWG’s Health Scale-up Challenge and tap into their Market Entry Program, offering funding, clinical networks, and business support to expand into the German and European markets, with Essen as your launchpad. Who can take part? International Scale-ups in AI, MedTech, and digital health with market-ready solutions or advanced prototypes, an existing customer base, and clear ambitions to enter the German market by opening a branch or relocating to Essen. #Health#DigitalHealth#EssenHealth#MarketEntry #VentureScaling#InnovateTogether

DeadlineAug 31, 2026
Transform Green Tech. Scale in Essen.
Transform Green Tech. Scale in Essen. logo

Transform Green Tech. Scale in Essen.

Scale your GreenTech solution in Europe’s energy hub! Essen, in the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr region, offers unmatched access to industry, infrastructure, and partners—perfect for growth and market entry. EWG’s Market Entry Program (EWG - Essen Economic Development Agency) supports you with mentoring, networking, funding (up to 10.000 €), and hands-on guidance. Whether your innovation is in hydrogen, energy security, industrial decarbonization, resource efficiency, water management, or environmental protection, the GreenTech Scale-Up Challenge welcomes solutions driving a sustainable future. Who can take part? We are looking for GreenTech Scale-ups with innovative solutions across all sub-sectors—hydrogen, clean energy, industrial decarbonization, resource efficiency, water management, and environmental protection technologies. If you are actively expanding into new markets and open to establishing operations in Essen, this is your chance to join a thriving ecosystem, gain access to industry leaders, funding opportunities, and the support of EWG’s Market Entry Program. #EssenGreenTech #GreenTechInnovation #SustainableEnerg#IndustrialDecarbonization #ResourceEfficiency #WaterTech #EnvironmentalTech #FutureOfEnergy #ScaleUpSuccess

DeadlineAug 31, 2026
Solve for Tomorrow - Tech for Life
Solve for Tomorrow - Tech for Life logo

Solve for Tomorrow - Tech for Life

Ready to shape the future of everyday life with technology? Together with Samsung, we invite you to explore how innovative tech solutions can improve the way we live, move, and care for ourselves and our planet. From innovative approaches to sports and physical activity, to solutions that support health and wellbeing in everyday life, and technologies that enable more sustainable lifestyles and responsible use of resources, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're developing bold new ideas or rethinking existing systems, this is your chance to create real impact and take the next step towards turning your idea into a scalable solution and a social start-up. The most promising teams will be supported through a structured program including mentoring, funding, and access to Samsung’s accelerator to help bring their ideas to life and scale them further. Join us and turn your vision into reality! #TechForLife #SolveForTomorrow #EnablingPeople #DigitalInnovation #SocialImpact

DeadlineJun 23, 2026
Wacker Neuson – BatteryOne Venture Partnership Challenge
Wacker Neuson – BatteryOne Venture Partnership Challenge logo

Wacker Neuson – BatteryOne Venture Partnership Challenge

Build your prototype with BatteryOne – and don't start from scratch. Wacker Neuson is searching for partners to co-develop new applications powered by its robust, swappable BatteryOne system. The goal is to validate a real-world use case, build a working prototype and explore commercially scalable partnership opportunities. Wacker Neuson supports partners with BatteryOne hardware, engineering expertise and access to its industrial network - enabling rapid prototyping and a clear pathway toward joint commercialization. Who can participate? All innovators capable of developing functional hardware prototypes - including start-ups, scaleups, established product companies, research labs, technical university teams or independent engineering groups. #BatteryInnovation #VenturePartnership #Electrification

DeadlineJun 12, 2026
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Trusted by the best in their industries

One platform · three ways in

Open innovation for

Connect directly with leading companies to win your first enterprise client, raise your next round, and expand into new markets — all in one place.

Corporate Customers

Co-develop with real enterprise clients instead of building in a vacuum.

Smarter Funding

Access venture clients and investors actively looking for your solution.

Faster Iteration

Ship continuously with feedback from real-world partners, not just internal teams.

Curated Matchmaking

Skip the cold outreach — get introduced to the right people at the right time.

Work on real-world challenges across AI, sustainability, healthcare, and more. Build a portfolio that sets you apart before you even graduate.

Real Experience

Work on live projects that matter, not just case studies or simulations.

Stand Out

Show employers a track record of actual results, not just grades.

Expert Mentors

Learn directly from industry practitioners, not just in the classroom.

Latest Trends

Stay ahead of the curve by working on today's most pressing challenges.

Bridge the gap between your scientific discoveries and business applications. Collaborate globally, find new funding, and see your work actually get used.

Global Collaboration

Work with cross-disciplinary teams beyond your institution's walls.

Industry Applications

See your research applied in products and services, not just journals.

Field Prototyping

Take experiments out of the lab and into real-world trials.

New Funding Paths

Reach venture clients and investors alongside traditional grants.

Success stories

Hear it from our own community

In over 200 open innovation projects, ekipa has brought together innovators from 120+ countries and 100+ established organizations. The result? A wide array of collaborations ranging from investments and venture clienting to business and research partnerships.

APG and JadenX TeamAPG · JadenX

APG and JadenX Team

From Initial Connection to Industry Innovation: The APG and JadenX Case Study.

Read story →
RWZ and AgraCheck StartupRWZ · AgraCheck

RWZ and AgraCheck Startup

Sebastian and Florian's Journey from Idea to Innovation with ekipa.

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INNOVATE2030 and ClurbINNOVATE2030 · Clurb

INNOVATE2030 and Clurb

From a Sketch in a Berlin Bar to the Global Stage: How Innovation with Impact Succeeds.

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First bold steps

Co-creation outcome at the forefront of our agenda

Making the first steps towards collaborative innovation can be daunting. That's why we're here to help you every step of the way. For each of our projects, we offer professional workshops, Q&A calls, and coaching to help you initiate and develop your ideas to the best of its potential.

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