More than 800 international participants experienced the EXPO Day STARTUP AUTOBAHN in the Carl Benz Arena in Stuttgart on July 19, 2018. The visitors gained insight and exchanged ideas with the pioneers of future technologies in the areas of "Vehicle Tech and Services," "Smart Material and Sensors," "Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Big Data," as well as "Industry 4.0 and Supply-Chain-Logistics.” On this fourth STARTUP AUTOBAHN EXPO Day, 31 startups from 18 countries exclusively presented their 55 pilot projects with 19 leading industry players.
Looking at the achievements of STARTUP AUTOBAHN’s subsidy programs for young entrepreneurial scientists, Prof. Wolfram Ressel, Rector of the University of Stuttgart underlines: “The university’s graduates should make a creative contribution to scientific, business and social innovations once they enter into employment. The University of Stuttgart supports STARTUP AUTOBAHN, because we are convinced that the project plays a major role in accomplishing this goal, as it fosters the spirit of entrepreneurship on campus.”
Sascha Karimpour, Managing Director of Plug and Play Germany GmbH, welcomed the guests and conveyed the basic values of the platform. Among the keynote speakers at EXPO Day were leading American experts such as Jeff Burton, co-founder of Electronic Arts & CEO of Woodside Creek, and Allison Arieff, Contributing Columnist of the New York Times & Editorial Director at SPUR. On the topics "Who will build on the last century to lead the next century" and "Will Autonomous Vehicles Save Cities," the top speakers provided food for thought and new perspectives on the future of mobility. Sarah Harman, known as the presenter of Deutsche Welle, acted as a master of ceremonies.
About STARTUP AUTOBAHN
STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play is a neutral platform that moderates in-depth and curated collaborations between key partners from industry, investors and mentors to help the growth of start-ups. STARTUP AUTOBAHN holds two three-month programs annually, which are concluded by an EXPO Day. The programs were created to drive startups and established companies alike. STARTUP AUTOBAHN offers all the support that startups need to realize their vision faster: Space, means, people, resources and access to valuable networks of companies, investors, mentors, universities and government representatives. Plug and Play Tech Center, the Silicon Valley Accelerator and investor, supports this joint project in cooperation with Plug & Play Germany GmbH, Daimler AG, ARENA2036, the University of Stuttgart, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, DXC Technology, ZF Friedrichshafen, BASF, Porsche, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Webasto, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and the ecosystem partners Murata, HELLA, BENTELER, The Linde Group, AGC Glass Europe, Wieland Ventures, PostNL, Jardine Matheson Limited, Covea and CEPSA. Startups from all over the world are invited to submit their applications for participation in the Innovation Platform for the Future of Mobility and Industry 4.0.
More information about STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play can be found online at: www.startup-autobahn.com
