What makes a successful startup?
It's not that simple to answer, of course. In general, however, we can say that the following four points are especially decisive for a company's later success: Problem, Solution, Timing, and Team.
It's practical that climate change is currently flooding us with problems, and it's a top priority to solve them. So we can already check off Problems and Timing. But how do we find solutions and a competent team?
The Climate Hack 2023!
Exactly for this purpose, thirty participants signed up in mid‑January for the Climate Hack organized by Venture Club Münster. Over four days, the focus was on defining existing problems in several groups, developing a solution, and presenting it in a final pitch live in front of 200 audience members. Throughout the four days, the participants were coached, challenged, and supported by more than 15 mentors on all relevant topics. In addition to the many learnings, the participants also got to experience the Münster ecosystem to the fullest. The Hive, Digihub, and Reach provided the hackathon venues.
Day 1 – Without a team, even the best idea is worth nothing
After an initial meet‑and‑greet, we jumped straight into idea input. Sven Grave, Co‑CEO of Digital Hub münsterLAND, presented existing approaches from large and small companies for implementing sustainability in practice.
Before we can start brainstorming, the group dynamics need to be right. Therefore, the Münster‑based company Strong Partners came to the Hive on day one with several team‑building games, and the participants were prepared for the next three days with puzzles, dexterity, and sports challenges.
Day 2 – Finding, validating, and preparing ideas
Thursday kicks off with strong input from the business world. Linda Klümper, head of the Innovation Department at Stadtwerke Münster, and Stephanie Rabbe, Senior Incubation Manager at Miele, shared insights on how each company tackles climate protection.
After a short break, we moved straight into constructive brainstorming in the New Thinking Workshop, led by Joshua Küpper, Co‑Founder and CBO at Kerith. With the knowledge gained, the first ideas emerged, and the participants split into six groups.
To validate an idea as quickly as possible, you usually start by getting an overview of the current market. In this step, the participants are supported by enable! co‑founders Jan Linzner and Alexandros Klintsaris during the final workshop of the day.
Day 3 – From product to marketing to financing
The idea and a rough market overview are in place. Now it's time to turn theory into practice—better known as prototyping. Sven Hülskötter from urbanhive demonstrates in a workshop that this isn’t a straight line; a product goes through a cycle, and customer feedback forms the foundation.
To successfully bring the product to market, good marketing is usually required. Elias Heike of the Founders Foundation provides each group with an overview of all relevant channels and metrics, showing that marketing works even on a small budget.
Once the blueprint is set, execution often comes down to capital. For this, participants receive a visit from Lutz Lambert and Stephan Sterzenbach, who are responsible for startups at NRW Bank.
The final night arrives, and participants are told to go full throttle. The presentation must be ready by 5 p.m. the next day.
Day 4 – Pitch It: The final preparations before the final pitch
Products need to be sold. Not only to the end customer, but also to investors. Both require a professional presentation. In the Pitchdeck Workshop by Jean Michel Diaz, Co-Founder and CEO of Echometer, participants receive important tips and training for the perfect pitch.
Now the final sprint begins, and all teams are working at full speed on their presentations. Mihai Melonari and Leona Turner are there to help participants with their last questions and issues.
Final Pitch
Now the time has come. The work of the past few days will be presented in the Final Pitch in front of 200 audience members and a four‑person jury. After the two guest contributions from Linda Klümper and Phil Eisberg, Co-Founder of Voltark, the audience can listen to the six final pitches from the participants. These are the groups' results:
- BETTEROFF – Identification and exchange of energy‑inefficient household appliances via a platform
- starlightTech – Savings potential in street and pathway lighting through the use of infrared‑controlled lamps
- optiGize – Smarter and more predictable electricity consumption in homes for optimal use of available energy
- residentTechnology – New manufacturing technology to prevent waste in carbon‑fiber processing
- caFin – Platform that supports career choice by providing information on various professions
- oasity – Modular greening of unused spaces and rooftops
Now it’s time to catch your breath and grab something to eat and drink. The jury steps back. The tension rises! The winners of Climate Hack 2023 are:
Place 1: optiGize
Place 2 & Audience Award: residentTechnology
Place 3: oasity
A huge thank you goes to all participants, mentors, the jury, our sponsors, the organizers and the people who provided inspiration. Climate Hack 2023 was a great success and certainly not the last! I’m excited to see which hackathon awaits us next semester!
