We Innovate
Together.

As a leading open innovation incubator, we bring together people, industries and organizations across all boundaries to encourage positive change together through sustainable, future-oriented innovations.
Trusted by the best in the industry

We don't just generate ideas
We create sustainable innovations

Together with our partners from politics, industry and society, we identify and define relevant questions and search fields, which we drive forward within the framework of our unique Open Innovation programs. Through our ecosystems of universities, research institutions, and startup networks, we enable innovators and future shapers worldwide to work together to develop new solutions in the form of products, applications, processes, or business models and bring them to fruition.
100+
challenges have been successfully carried out on our platform since 2018.
15.000+
innovators and future shapers have already participated in our innovation programs.
300+
educational institutions collaborate with ekipa to provide practice transfer for their students and research groups.
>90%
of all selected solutions were followed up by our partners after the project.
Innovation Programs
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We know your industry

In the over 100 open innovation projects we have become familiar with the unique selling propositions and problems of a wide variety of industries. With our open innovation processes, we can identify specifics and develop viable solutions – for any industry.

We are ekipa - Let's innovate together.

Diverse perspectives are the foundation for innovation. With our different programs, we bring together the most relevant players in our ecosystems and drive new innovations with the ekipa method.

Corporates
Groundbreaking innovations from technology and science for your business.
Together with our customers, we promote and implement marketable innovations and help them to develop new solutions in the form of products, applications, processes or business models.
Access to a global network of universities, research centres and start-up institutions.
Development of relevant solutions and innovations for your issues and challenges
Positioning as a driver of innovation in the areas of digitalisation and sustainability
Highway to Innovation

ekipa in a Nutshell

As a young and dynamic startup, we breathe open innovation every day. From large to small, we have accompanied the most diverse projects and brought them to success.
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Powerful connections
We bring together the experience and knowledge of stakeholders from politics, industry and academia to empower entirely new projects.
Excellent network
Through our stable network of universities, research institutes and startup partners, we are able to find the best innovators for each challenge.
Support, empowerment & acceleration
We get actively involved in the open innovation process and accompany participants with intensive coaching, workshops and feedback sessions. Things pick up speed with ekipa.
Expertise & experience
Still young but with the know-how of more than 100 implemented open innovation projects. And we are looking forward to knowing more because there are more projects to come.
Sustainable innovations
Nowhere lacks ideas. In our programs, long lasting innovations are created to positively change the world.
Team is key
Our interdisciplinary and diverse team brings together expertise from different sectors and disciplines to our projects – we like to share with our clients & innovators.

Running & upcoming innovation programs & challenges

We offer a variety of challenges. Register now for free on our innovation platform to stay up to date about current & upcoming open innovation challenges. Let's innovate together.
Deloitte's Quantum Climate Challenge 2024 – Flood Prediction
Spotlight 2050: Revealing the Unseen
Upcoming Challenges
Collaborate with Deloitte to revolutionize flood forecasting.

We invite you to explore quantum computing and machine learning by tackling the challenge to develop a new approach in enhancing flood forecasting and disaster prediction to improve climate resilience.

Highlight for the finalists: Besides an attractive prize pool, the finalists will pitch their solution in front of an expert jury consisting of representatives from the quantum industry.

Start now!
Past Projects
Submit your concept to secure your place at the rad°hub event in London

Spot a „snow leopard": in foresight this is an existing but underestimated phenomenon with a potential to shape the future. Join the rad°hub challenge to reveal a neglected trend or tool that will impact future generations. Why is it crucial? How can we address it today? Submit your „snow leopard” to secure your place at the rad°hub event in London, where you can present your „snow leopard", influence industry leaders, drive change, and network with forward-thinkers and decision-makers to elevate your career or venture.

Start now!
Past Projects
Stay tuned for upcoming challenges!

Fancy a challenge? Our platform has got you covered! From AI to HealthTech and Finance, we offer plenty of challenges to foster sustainability, digitization and social impact. Plus, it's totally free to register - just scroll down for our past challenges or find programs that tickle your fancy. Let's innovate together - join us today for an opportunity not to be missed!

Stay tuned!
Past Projects

ekipa Case Studies

Discover the innovation potential, variety of topics and diversity of industries through our completed innovation programs & challenges.
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Look behind the scenes

Dive deep into the background of ekipa and our learnings about open innovation.
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ekipa News: Collaboration and Program Updates – September 2024
At ekipa, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation to create real-world impact. From groundbreaking projects to global initiatives, here’s a look at what’s happening at ekipa. Fueling Innovation with the Venture Client Inkubator Hessen and Female Future Week We’re excited to announce two of our latest initiatives aimed at pushing the boundaries of […]
How Open Innovation Enhances Venture Clienting: A Winning Strategy to effectively accelerate innovation cycles
This blog post explores the powerful synergy between Open Innovation and venture clienting, showing how integrating these strategies can drive growth, accelerate product development, and maintain a competitive edge. It also highlights to implement these approaches effectively. Unlocking the Power of Venture Clienting for Corporate Innovation Venture clienting is a strategic model where established companies […]
ekipa News: Collaboration and Program Updates
We have a lot of exciting news and updates to share, showcasing the dynamic activities and significant achievements within our community. From high-profile patronages and groundbreaking innovation programs to engaging events and impactful collaborations, there's much to celebrate. Patronage by Christian Lindner and Marco Buschmann We are delighted to announce the esteemed patronage of two […]
Ecosystems vs. Networks: Why the Future Lies in Collaborative Ecosystems
True innovation goes beyond simple networking—it's about creating dynamic ecosystems tailored to address real-world business challenges. At ekipa, we connect startups, researchers, universities, and industry leaders to collaboratively uncover and solve the pressing issues companies face, while simultaneously unlocking new opportunities. This approach not only meets specific needs but ensures that every collaboration is strategically […]
How Open Innovation Revolutionizes Employer Branding
In a rapidly changing work environment, companies must position themselves as attractive employers. Attracting and retaining top talent has become increasingly challenging due to several factors. The competition for skilled professionals is fierce, with more companies vying for the same pool of talented individuals. Additionally, modern job seekers have higher expectations, seeking not only competitive […]
Crafting the Perfect Challenge for Open Innovation
Launching an Open Innovation challenge involves more than just gathering ideas; it requires a crystal-clear and precise challenge definition to guide innovators effectively. At ekipa, we understand the critical importance of defining each challenge precisely to ensure alignment with the strategic goals of our partners and to resonate deeply with our community of innovators. Why […]
Universities in Open Innovation Big Picture
We discuss the role of university in open innovation based on 5 research papers conducted in the field.
Incentives in Open Innovation Challenges or Why Our Participants Take Part
Open innovation challenges utilize various incentive packages to motivate participants and enhance their contributions. Here are some key insights from recent studies on this topic: References:
Navigating Intellectual Property (IP) Rights in Open Innovation Challenges
We discuss common IP rights pitfalls and strategies to prevent them.
Streamlining Your Open Innovation Challenge: A Guide towards Effective Participation Flow
In this article we describe the steps that are needed to design the most effective application flow for your innovation challenge.
Crafting the Perfect Award Structure for Your Open Innovation Challenge
A detailed guide on designing an effective award structure for open innovation challenges.
From Initial Connection to Industry Innovation: The APG and JadenX Case Study
When APG, a premier pension provider in the Netherlands, issued a challenge to revolutionize pension guidance through AI, they sought innovative minds to demystify retirement planning. This challenge aimed to harness the power of generative AI, like ChatGPT, to offer personalized, insightful, and accessible pension information. JadenX (also known as JadenData) stepped up, illustrating the […]
ekipa News 2024: Program Updates and ekipa Insights
2024 promises to be a year full of innovations and new opportunities. As the leading Open Innovation incubator, we have worked tirelessly to optimize our programs and tailor them even better to the needs of our partners. NEW TIMELINE: INTRODUCING OUR INNOVATION BATCHES This year, we've made an exciting change: We have decided to offer […]
Wrap up 2023: Reflecting on a Year of Innovation
2023 was a year full of innovations, collaboration and exciting projects. We are all the more excited about the upcoming Open Innovation Challenges in 2024! But as the ones that started in 2023 are slowly coming to an end, it's time to look back. Let’s take a moment to celebrate our achievements, acknowledge the challenges […]
The Power of Effective Communication
Our experience has shown us that without effective communication, no Open Innovation project can fully unleash its potential. That's why since last year, with the hiring of our videographer, we have significantly increased our focus on telling the stories and successes around every Open Innovation project. In doing so, we create various types of videos […]
Utilizing Open Innovation for Efficient GenAI Integration in Your Business
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications are not just transforming industries; they are revolutionizing them. Among these transformative technologies, Generative AI (GenAI) stands out with its profound potential to innovate across sectors. Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for businesses aiming for sustained growth and relevance. However, […]
Bianca’s interesting Internship at ekipa - We are ekipa #1
Want to know how we work at ekipa? Join us on a journey through Bianca's internship experience at the Academic Alliance department. Get a glimpse as she shares her personal and professional insights. First things first: what is your daily lifesaver?Coffee, coffee, coffee! It kickstarts my day and keeps me energized and focused. About ekipa […]
CROSS-INDUSTRY INNOVATION - A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE
Why does an AI for bakeries save lives? What do Formula 1 and McDonald's have in common? And what can car manufacturers learn from the video game industry? In the following article, we will take a closer look and demonstrate how the boundaries between industries are becoming fainter due to digitization, sustainability, and trends. Why […]
INTRODUCING OUR NEW FORMAT FOR FEMALE INNOVATORS: THE FEMALE FUTURE WEEK
We are excited to introduce you to our new project: The Female Future Week. A multi-day digital event and networking space for company representatives, female entrepreneurs and young talents to support each other and encourage gender equality in business. As an open innovation incubator, we have had the opportunity to carry out over 100 projects […]
UPCOMING PROGRAM LAUNCHES 
Innovation is the key to shaping a promising future. It drives us to explore new horizons and continuously improve. Already in the last 5 years, we have worked together with over 100 projects, 15000+ innovators and 300+ educational institutions to successfully drive innovation. However, we also place a strong emphasis on integrating innovation across a […]
EXCITING UPDATES ON EKIPA'S ONGOING INNOVATION PROGRAMS
At ekipa, we are dedicated to fostering groundbreaking solutions through our Open Innovation Programs, connecting companies with ambitious startups, research teams, and students. Today, we are thrilled to share updates on our ongoing programs and their remarkable progress. Currently, 5 of our programs are in full swing: Future Finance Our Future Finance Program continues to […]
THE 4-DAY WEEK AT EKIPA: WE EXPAND THE 4-DAY PILOT AND TEST THIS MODEL UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR
Bold steps into an innovative future    Fridays are free!" – This has been the motto at ekipa for the last 3 months. One day less work for the same salary, with the clear goal of creating an innovative work environment. After this test phase, the management has decided to extend the pilot until the end […]
AGRICULTURE MEETS DIGITAL INNOVATION - THE SUCCESS STORY OF RWZ AND AGRACHECK AT DEUTSCHLAND 4.0
Sebastian and Florian's Journey from Idea to Innovation with ekipa Deutschland 4.0 is currently running for the fourth time. The impressive story of AgraCheck shows what can happen when an established company in the innovation program meets a young start-up team. As participants in the first edition three years ago, they developed a start-up idea […]
THE POWER OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE WITH INNOVATION
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize various industries. Its ability to mimic human intelligence and perform complex tasks has opened doors to new possibilities and sparked exciting innovations. But this of course also sparked a lot of controversy, fears and questions. What if AI […]
OPEN INNOVATION & COLLABORATION AT LBBW: WHERE IMPACT INVESTING, BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY STRIKE AT THE HEART
Reading time: 2-3 minutes Summary: This story is related to the LBBW Finance Challenge, focusing on Impact Investing & Sustainability Transformation. It explores how the challenge works within the context of SWIAT & dApps, highlighting its achievements and goals.The three key pillars of the challenge are collaboration, openness (in terms of transparency, but also related […]
THIS IS IT: OUR FINAL FRIDAY AT EKIPA
Today is not just any Friday; it will be the last Friday my colleagues and I visit the halls of ekipa, at least for a while. At ekipa, Bravery, one of our core values, is at the heart of everything we do. It's what propels us to continuously explore new horizons. And now, the time […]
EMBRACING DIVERSITY, EMPOWERING CHANGE
Like Madonna, society around us continually reinvents itself. In recent decades, technological innovations have increasingly highlighted this transformation, turning our lives upside down. The internet, smartphones, social media, and more recently, artificial intelligence have all revolutionized our daily routines. These technological breakthroughs not only change our tools but also reshape how we interact with one […]
RETHINK FINANCE & INNOVATE THE FINANCIAL WORLD
The world is constantly changing, and the financial industry is no exception. The digital transformation is proceeding at a rapid pace, reshaping the way businesses operate and challenging the financial sector in ways never seen before. We are at a turning point that is leading finance into a new and unexpected direction. However, with this […]
SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH CO-CREATION & SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION – YOUR ROADMAP TO OPEN INNOVATION
WANNA TAKE A SHORTCUT? HERE ARE YOUR KEY TAKEAWAYS! Open innovation allows companies to tap into a wider pool of expertise & knowledge to receive new, unpredictable ideas & breakthrough solutions than they would be able to with their internal capacities alone. By collaborating & cocreating with external partners, companies can access competences, technologies, and […]
Strategy Days – a simple concept with a big impact!
Sometimes you need to flip the script to get inspired and to obtain new perspectives. Then you can create something new and better. Recently our departments - Business Development (BizDev), Marketing, Projects & University Relations (UR) held their first strategy days. Learn more about our deep experiences; maybe we can inspire you to join us, our challenges or implement your own strategy days!
FROM A SKETCH IN A BERLIN BAR TO THE GLOBAL STAGE: HOW INNOVATION WITH IMPACT SUCCEEDS
In the beginning, sometimes it's a simple idea that lays the foundation for something great and the start of a successful journey. That's what happened to the Berlin-based startup Clurb when they summed up their founding idea in a statement in a Kreuzberg pub in June 2017: “We will do something simple and affordable, that cities can use with minimal external support”.
BETTER BEAT BURNOUT | Mental Health
8 rules to prevent total exhaustion - especially in a high-paced startup-founder environment (but not only)  With the new year, good intentions take a new turn, and we are particularly emphasizing health and wellbeing, both physical and mental. We are also trying to avoid unhealthy lifestyles and destructive behavioral patterns. This is a perfect moment […]
Our Year 2020 - A year in review
Hello dear ekipa - Crowd, Just in time for the launch of 2021, our designer Celine has created a year in review of the ekipa year 2020. In this you will find information about ekipa, the core of ekipa - the team, or our ecosystem. It also introduces our formats, recaps the past year, and […]

We provide growth  - grow with us!

To master our future growth and create an international impact, we are looking for innovation-hungry people to work with us and change the world for the better!

Contact Information

Justin Gemeri
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
hello@ekipa.de

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