"Startups bring a breath of fresh air to well-established industrial sectors because they often function as pioneers and trendsetters in their field of business," says Stephanie Simon, who is responsible for the project at the VDW. That's why established exhibitors are often more than interested in talking to young companies, she pointed out.

"The EMO Startup Area currently features nearly 60 companies that are looking to break into the production technology market and appeal to its users," added Juliane Salten of the VDMA. Their primarily aim is to raise their profile and set up networks with customers and investors.

Anna Weirauch, Customer Success Manager at ai-omatic solutions in Hamburg, agreed: "We are excited about the possibility to showcase our AI-based digital maintenance assistant in the Startup Area at this year’s EMO Hannover. We're also looking forward to networking and showing how we can help our customers maintain their machines more effectively."

Matchmaking, Speed dating and Startup Night

The organisers have come up with a number of ideas for helping exhibitors to share information and network. The goal is to provide a professional networking platform where experiences, possibilities and opportunities in production technology can be discussed, but also where new partnerships can be forged. David Hahn, CEO of Remberg GmbH from Munich, firmly supports the venture: "In 2019 we were able to attract the renowned mechanical engineering company Klingelnberg as a customer at EMO. And everywhere you looked, there were managers from the very companies we were selling our digitalisation solutions to. Things like this only happen at EMO."

To support this forging of contacts even more strongly, EMO Hannover 2023 will feature “Startup Matchmaking”, which will organise face-to-face meetings at the event between established companies and appropriate startups and digital solution providers. The Speed dating event will give participants the opportunity to exchange ideas exclusively with exhibiting startups – and to explore further areas of shared interest during the subsequent networking session. The EMO Startup Night including speed dating on 19 September 2023 will give exhibitors and visitors alike the chance to meet new company founders in person and make contact in a relaxed atmosphere. Finally, tours of the EMO Startup Area will be offered on each day of the fair. These will give participants a rapid overview of the topics and main focuses of the young companies at the fair. 

Startups from 12 countries on board

The joint stand of EIT Manufacturing Darmstadt is offering something special. It will feature 20 startups from twelve countries – Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. These will be presenting their products and services under the joint umbrella of the Innovation Network at EMO Hannover. "Companies are an important part of the innovation network that EIT Manufacturing is developing. We are currently supporting around 80 startups, are in regular contact with more than 150 other companies and are constantly expanding our network," says Dr. Christian Bölling, Director of EIT Manufacturing Central. The organisation fosters the development of prototypes through to marketable products, brings startups and industry together to solve challenges in innovative ways, and provides education and training for workers in industry to make the companies more competitive.

From September 4, a big social media challenge will also start on LinkedIn, Instagram/Facebook and Twitter under the title EMOspark - Igniting Start-up Innovation at EMO Hannover 2023. The aim is to make the companies known and support them in generating leads. Companies are encouraged to post short teaser videos or posts about their products/technologies before the show using #EMOspark2023. During the show, they will be complemented by daily live updates from the booths with photos and videos. And finally, after the show, each startup is again asked to publish a short post with highlights of their participation at the show and share what they learned.

"By using the hashtag #EMOspark2023, all posts can be easily found and shared which is increasing the visibility of the campaign. The combination of pre-show teaser content, live updates during the show and post-show summaries will capture the interest of the target audience and create a lasting impact," concludes Tanja Lee, campaign organiser at VDW.