As part of the Open Lab Day, emergenCITY hosted the workshop “emergenCITY Meets Startups: A Collaborative Encounter,” which brought together the emergenCITY team with startups from Hessen, providing a space for intense exchange and creative founding ideas. The opportunity to meet like-minded individuals in the field of crisis and disaster management was enthusiastically embraced by the participants. The event attracted startups from the sectors of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Communication Networks, Cybersecurity, Energy Management, and Robotics.

Researchers from emergenCITY and representatives of the startups presented their projects and products in concise presentations, accompanied by lively question rounds. In the subsequent intensive exchange sessions, workshop participants came together to discuss the challenges faced by both sides and explore potential solutions through collaboration.

The feedback from participants at the end of the workshop was very encouraging. An emergenCITY researcher discovered new application areas for their technology, while a startup emphasized the importance of networking to break out of their own bubble. The different approaches of researchers and startups were perceived as interesting and enriching. The workshop concluded with a lively exchange of contact information, laying the groundwork for potential future partnerships between emergenCITY and the participating startups.