PlanB start-up competition is looking for start-ups from the bioeconomy and industrial biotechnology
BioCampus Straubing | TUMCS | 28.05.2020
Green founders face mega-challenges of our society with their business ideas: climate change and resource turnaround. With the Corona Pandemic, a challenge is being added that no one has chosen to face. However, those who want to contribute to more sustainability with their start-up have already decided against the path of least resistance before Corona. The “PlanB – Biobased.Business.Bavaria” start-up competition is now being launched for these start-ups. The TUM Campus Straubing for biotechnology and sustainability (best development performance) supports PlanB among others. The jury includes three professors from the TUM Campus Straubing: Prof. Dr. Claudia Doblinger (Innovation and Technology Management), Prof. Dr. Magnus Fröhling (Circular Economy) and Prof. Dr. Hubert Röder (Sustainable Business Administration in cooperation with the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences).
Especially now young companies need direct support and stable ecosystems for their business development. This is even more true for start-ups in the bio-economy, a sector with great growth potential but at the same time high investment intensity and market entry barriers. “We are convinced that green start-ups can handle crisis situations,” says Andreas Löffert, managing director of PlanB organiser BioCampus Straubing GmbH. “With PlanB we offer them individual support, networks and publicity for a topic that must not become a victim of current developments”.
PlanB is the start-up competition for bio-based business ideas. Since 2014, around 100 founders have submitted their green ideas in the last three competitions. Participation in the new round is now open until 16th August 2020. “With this competition, we want to set a clear sign and motivate start-ups not to wait and see but to stick with it,” said PlanB project manager Claudia Kirchmair.
Network and industry focus
PlanB’s clear industry focus on the bio-based economy and an accessible ecosystem of experts, investors and partners from this industry group, as well as start-up-friendly infrastructure, are central to PlanB. This results in contacts, tangible outputs and suitable conditions for company growth beyond the actual competitive phase.
Green innovations wanted
PlanB strives for innovative business ideas for bio-based, sustainable solutions in industry and society. These can be processes, products or services that can be integrated into the value creation network of the bio-economy. In November 2020, the participants will then submit the further development of the idea draft, a so-called pitch deck. The jury will select the best submissions, which will be presented to industry and financial experts at the award ceremony in February 2021 at the Sennebogen Academy in Straubing, Germany, and compete for prizes totalling €25,000.
Background information:
The “PlanB – Biobasiert.Business.Bayern.” start-up competition is organised by BioCampus Straubing GmbH. It is a non-commercial project, publicly funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. The competition is held every two years since 2014. On May 11, 2020 PlanB started the 4th round.
More information: www.planb-wettbewerb.de.