Startup Collaboration with MAHLE – Boost digital customer services & internal process efficiency

The Venture Client Incubator Hesse (Project No: HA-1769/24-116) is an innovation program funded by the State of Hesse. It connects startups and scale-ups with established companies to jointly scale innovations to market and establish long-term partnerships. 

The program aims to strengthen regional innovation and foster a sustainable ecosystem across Hesse. 

ekipa supports participating startups by: 

• Providing access to corporate networks 
• Offering custom-fit coaching 
• Structuring the entire process of partnership building 

Our focus lies in enabling sustainable and mutually beneficial collaborations that deliver long-term impact and business value. 

The program is supported as part of the Hesse Innovation Funding Initiative through the inititiative“Projects to Increase Competitiveness and Entrepreneurial Motivation” by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas of Hesse. 

Startups selected for the Boost Phase receive a De Minimis grant certificate (in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 2023/2831). 

To qualify, participants must complete: 

• A declaration of business activities 
• A statement of all De Minimis support received 

ekipa will validate these before final participation in the Boost Phase is confirmed. 

• Startups, scale-ups or technology-driven companies 
• Less than 10 years old

1. Register on our platform 

Follow our tutorial to get started: Join a challenge!

1. Choose your challenge 

Review all current challenges and select the one most relevant to your solution. 

1. Pick your mode of participation 

Join as a team, apply individually, or form a new team. 

1. Submit your solution 

Download the submission template, develop your solution, and upload it to your workspace before the deadline. 

Follow our tutorial to get started: Get started!

Participation only becomes binding once you have submitted the form and the qualification phase ends. You can withdraw your submission at any time before the deadline. Once you have uploaded your submission and wish to participate, please keep the schedule in mind and be aware that you should be able to take part in each subsequent step.

No worries! 

In the Venture Cliente Push Track, you can apply without selecting a specific challenge. 

This track helps you become venture client-ready through: 

• Tailored 1-on-1 sparring 
• Expert coaching 
• Startup know-how from 150+ projects 

And most importantly: Access to our corporate network with the goal of achieving a Proof of Concept. 

More about the Push Track here: Venture Client – Push Track 

Is participation binding?  

Only after submitting your completed application and progressing past the qualification phase. 

You can withdraw your submission at any time before the deadline. 

Once submitted, you are expected to commit to the program timeline and follow through the next steps. 

After the application deadline, corporate partners will review submissions and select teams for each challenge. 

Selected teams will receive an email invitation to the Kick-Off event. 

Check the Timeline Tab for the exact timeline. 

We are ekipa – a leading Open Innovation Incubator. 

We connect people, industries, and organizations across borders to collaboratively shape future-proof innovations. 

Our mission: drive positive, sustainable change through innovation. 

Through our platform and programs, we: 

• Empower individuals and organizations 
• Bridge science, business, government & society 
• Match the agility of startups with the strength of corporates 

With over 150 successful innovation projects, ekipa enables collaborative value creation across disciplines. 

We are ekipa. We innovate cooperatively – for a better world.