- Young Tech Enterprises unites industrial startup scene - Startup Pitches create transfer platform for market-ready products - German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy offers subsidies

Hannover, Germany & Chicago (November 9, 2016) - Hannover, Germany and Chicago - The word "startup" is frequently associated with founders in the IT industry. Visitors at HANNOVER MESSE, however, encounter other examples: a conveyor-chain cleaner that can be used without interrupting plant operations; a solar-powered water purifier; an electric scooter with portable batteries; and wind turbine rotors made of thermoplastic. These combinations of engineering and IT demonstrate the spirit of innovation in the manufacturing industry.

"Demand for founders in the industrial field is strong, but the challenges are different than those in the IT sector," explains Sonia Wedell-Castellano, project director at Deutsche Messe. "Their products are often based on devices or machinery, which means development requires significantly more time and money. Our offer for startups at HANNOVER MESSE takes into consideration the requirements of these innovators."

Young Tech Enterprises in Hall 3 is the hub of startup activity at HANNOVER MESSE: founders and young companies meet startup networks, accelerators and economic development organizations as well as large companies and investors. The program features an exhibition area as well as a forum, pitching and matchmaking events, and workshops. Participants also profit from the synergies of Research & Technology in Hall 2 plus access to the thousands of exhibitors and investors at HANNOVER MESSE. Young Tech Enterprises showcased 116 companies from 12 countries in 2016.

The competition "Startup Pitches @ Young Tech Enterprises" is all about brevity: each challenger has only a few minutes to convince the audience of his products advantages. Altogether 32 exhibitors compete for prize money of 5,000 euros as well as new supporters and investors. Berlin-based FDX Fluid Dynamix GmbH won in 2016 with its OsciJet nozzles, which mix gases and liquids without moving parts.

In addition to Young Tech Enterprises, HANNOVER MESSE offers startups further tailored participation options. Germanys Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) sponsors the program "Young Innovative Companies", which features group exhibits for startups in three sectors at HANNOVER MESSE: Digital Factory, Energy and Industrial Automation. A participation package includes a turnkey exhibit as well as central administration and a shared meeting lounge. BMWi assumes up to 60 percent of participation costs. Approximately 40 companies took advantage of the offer in 2016.

Furthermore, HANNOVER MESSE welcomes roughly 50 startups at group exhibits sponsored by government institutions or other organizers as well as 30 startups that participate in the fair as individual exhibitors.

HANNOVER MESSE - Get new technology first!
The worlds leading trade fair for industrial technology will next be staged from 24 to 28 April 2017 in Hannover, Germany. With the lead theme "Integrated Industry - Creating Value", HANNOVER MESSE is the worlds leading showcase for the digitalization of production (Industry 4.0) and energy systems (Integrated Energy). The upcoming HANNOVER MESSE unites seven trade fairs at one place: Industrial Automation, MDA - Motion, Drive & Automation, Digital Factory, Energy, ComVac, Industrial Supply, and Research & Technology. Poland is Partner Country of HANNOVER MESSE 2017.

Deutsche Messe AG
From its headquarters in Hannover, Germany, Deutsche Messe AG plans and stages leading capital goods trade fairs around the globe. The company ranks among the five biggest tradeshow organizers in Germany, with 329.3 million euros of revenue and a profit of 9.4 million euros in 2015. The companys event portfolio includes such world-leading events as CeBIT (digital business), HANNOVER MESSE (industrial technology), LABVOLUTION with BIOTECHNICA (lab technology and biotechnology), CeMAT (intralogistics and supply chain management), didacta (education), DOMOTEX (carpets and floor coverings), INTERSCHUTZ (fire prevention, disaster relief, rescue, safety and security), and LIGNA (woodworking, wood processing, forestry). With approximately 1,200 employees and a network of 62 sales partners, Deutsche Messe is present in more than 100 countries.