Goethe University’s new accelerator program represents a milestone in the promotion of student startups.
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Culinu was the first promising young company to be admitted to the program run by the startup center known as Goethe Unibator, which in turn is managed by Innovectis. The accelerator program marks an important next step in supporting the transfer of knowledge generated in teaching and research: Over a period of 18 months, it offers selected startups intensive support, including use of the Unibator infrastructure, individual coaching, and assistance in acquiring capital. One special program feature is the possibility of securing startup funding of up to €25,000, in which case the university acquires a share in the company.
Culinu, which is the first startup to join this program, aims to revolutionize the catering management in care homes, children’s daycare centers and schools by applying Artificial Intelligence. It is centered on an AI-controlled chatbot that acts as both digital kitchen manager and dietary assistant, and can plan personalized, healthy meals. Based on an extensive data model, Culinu optimizes every step of this catering process and promises considerable time and cost savings. “Admission to the accelerator program is a unique opportunity for us,” explains Max Werner, one of Culinu’s two founders. “Goethe University’s support will help us bring our innovative solution to market faster, while the seed financing will accelerate our growth.” The startups nominated for the program are selected by an advisory board consisting of five experienced top-level personalities from business and research. Advisory board chairman Dr. Sönke Bästlein explains: “We want to identify the most innovative Unibator ideas and provide them with a discernible boost to their growth.”
Both the accelerator program and Culinu’s admission into it illustrate Goethe University’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The program links academic excellence with entrepreneurial success, and strengthens Frankfurt’s position as a leading research and business location in the Rhine-Main region. Goethe University President Prof. Enrico Schleiff describes the program as “a stepping stone for our most innovative minds. It enables us to turn ideas into market-ready products more quickly, and simultaneously open up new perspectives for our students and researchers.”
Goethe Unibator is Goethe University’s startup center operated by Innovectis, a company wholly owned by the university. Unibator helps students, research assistants and alumni realize their startup projects, and functions as a bridge between academia and business.