AUNDE takes part in the first TexTech Startup Challenge

How can innovation in a traditional sector such as the textile industry be triggered in concrete terms? The answer was provided by the first TexTech Startup Challenge in Mönchengladbach: six companies, twelve startups - and eight cooperation approaches that emerged directly from the event. The new event format shows how effective the exchange between established companies and young technology providers can be if it is specifically orchestrated.

AUNDE as a pioneer of innovation

The participating companies not only provided impetus, but also played an active role in shaping the challenge and were impressed by the depth of the discussions, the quality of the start-up contacts and the high innovation potential of the format: ‘A thoroughly successful event at which local commercial enterprises in the textile and clothing industry were able to network with European start-ups,’ says Peter Bolten, Managing Director of AUNDE. ‘This promotes Mönchengladbach as a centre for textiles - the challenge could become a new format in the annual rotation of the “MG zieht an” young talent fair.

A joint path to the future

The TexTech Startup Challenge developed from the city's analysis of potential for Mönchengladbach's economic development - a process that was initiated and organised by Lord Mayor Felix Heinrichs together with WFMG - Wirtschaftsförderung Mönchengladbach GmbH, local companies and other partners. The aim was to identify specific future opportunities for the location - practical, implementation-orientated and with a view to active structural change.

The TexTech Startup Challenge impressively demonstrated how new impetus can be generated in a traditional industry through targeted collaboration between established companies and innovative startups.