Awesome news from our ecosystem: SpinLab alumni Prodlane with its AI platform MAIA has successfully closed a seven-figure seed funding round, led by Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen (TGFS) with additional support from business angels and a Swiss family office. This funding will fuel the growth of their AI platform MAIA, designed to help medium-sized industrial companies efficiently access and utilize their knowledge. Their journey highlights the strength of collaboration within our ecosystem. 💪 They began in our Summer School for Diverse Startups, chose Leipzig as their base, advanced through the HHL DIGITAL SPACE incubator, and joined the 13th SpinLab class in 2021. We’re especially happy that our partner Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen is among the investors.   Looking forward to more stories like this in 2025!

Early christmas gift: We're dropping our startup podcast! 🎙 Get ready for "The Naked Truth of Startups" – the podcast that strips down the startup world and reveals its raw, unfiltered reality. Starting now, we'll release episodes every two weeks that dive deep into our ecosystem's startup stories, challenges, and breakthroughs. Our first episode features the founders Dr. Julian Kruse and Paul Aretin from coobi, who will share exclusive insights from their entrepreneurial journey. Our hosts Alexander Türpe from ExciteLab - A SpinLab Company and David Blazek from SpinLab will guide you through the first episode of the naked truth of startups.  

The logistics industry is facing increasing pressure to adapt to digitalization, sustainability goals, and evolving supply chains. One way forward is stronger collaboration between #startups and companies. The concept of Venture Clienting offers huge potential: corporates gain access to fresh, creative solutions, while startups acquire real market insights. At our first hubclub Netzwerktreffen, powered by SmartInfrastructureHub Leipzig and Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg, and with the support of the Stadt Leipzig, Netzwerk Logistik Mitteldeutschland e. V., Automotive Cluster Ostdeutschland and MoLeWa Mobilität - Leipzig im Wandel, we brought logistics startups and regional companies together in Leipzig. Going forward, our aim is to enhance cooperation between the different hubs of the Digital Hub Initiative and companies. Startups and corporates often don’t collaborate due to differing mindsets, scales, and operational approaches. It’s crucial to create platforms like hub club that encourage practical, solution-driven partnerships. 🤝

The application phase for the next SpinLab class has kicked off! An analysis of the last application round showed that 50% of applications came from personal recommendations from partners, mentors and alumni. This underlines how important recommendations from our network are in attracting high-quality startups to our program. In order to reach as many promising startups as possible, we would be happy if you share our open call with your network or let us know which startups we should check out. Applications are open until October 8th. Find here a media kit with text suggestions and visuals for social media.

Fresh money for SpinLab alumni Reonic 🤑 In 2022, the founders participated in the SpinLab program. Now, with a 20-member team and a second office in Berlin, they are gearing up for European expansion, starting with France. The Series A round was led by Northzone, with additional support from existing Hashtag#investors Point Nine, Puzzle Ventures and several business angels. Reonic provides a digital platform that streamlines operations for small and medium-sized installers of ⚡renewable energy technologies, such as heat pumps or photovoltaics. Their tools help manage projects, simplify customer interactions, and handle administrative tasks, making it easier for installers to focus on their core work and boost efficiency in deploying greentech solutions. From students to founders, and now expanding their reach across Europe, - what an incredible achievement!🎉

The most important survey of the German startup ecosystem is back: The German Startup Monitor 2024! Your perspectives as founders are needed. Share your challenges, pain points and wishes. The annual survey is conducted by the Bundesverband Deutsche Startups e.V. in cooperation with PwC Germany. Take part in the survey until end of July 2024.

After successful ventures in Leipzig and Hannover with RootCamp, we are thrilled to announce our NEW LOCATION in 📍Dresden: The Hightech Accelerator ExciteLab. Joining forces with Technische Universität Dresden/ (TUD|excite) and  TU Aktiengesellschaft, we’re expanding our support to startups working on IoT, semiconductors, robotics, sensors, and quantumtechnology. Today, we received the grant approval from Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs, Martin Dulig. We are very pleased to have Alexander Türpe on board as the Managing Director of ExciteLab  You might met him. He has been a dedicated mentor at SpinLab for years. We are happy that the ecosystem is growing and are excited about the new chapter. The 1st batch will start in October. In case you know promising hightech/deeptech startups, please forward them to us. The application phase is open until August 27th.

🏆The Public Value Award for startups is back, and we couldn't be happier to join forces once more! The Public Value Award celebrates startups that tackle societal challenges entrepreneurially and create societal value with their products or services. #PublicValue goes beyond conventional KPIs. ▶️ As a winner, receive up to 50 hours of mentoring and consultation on the topics currently on your growth agenda with EY Germany. ▶️ Benefit from a strong network of well-known companies, including ZEISS Group, EY, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, LF Gruppe, Leipziger Messe, and Stadt Leipzig. ▶️ Go academic! Get feedback from the younger generation and collaborate with students from HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management and Leipzig students to develop socially oriented strategies and solutions for your startup. The award will be presented at a public pitch event in November at KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig. Submit your application until July 1st.

Dear SpinLab Community, we are happy to announce that we have a new takeaway on Intrapreneurship on our e-learning Academy! 🚀🚀🚀 In this course you will get to know the fundamentals of intrapreneurial approaches and learn how to get over innovation barriers. Take a deep dive into the world of intrapreneuship!

Help us win the audience award for the Impact of Diversity Award! 🏆 Our efforts started with the Diversity AG and have grown into initiatives like the Summer School for diverse startups - a support program for underrepresented founders. Teaming up with HHL DIGITAL SPACE, we're committed to breaking biases in the startup world! 👊 Please vote for us until March 31st! (Find us on page 2, click view and vote.). It just takes a few seconds. Thank you for your support!