Starting something new in Cologne

The trend scouts and futurists will be paying attention to the 15 start-ups presenting their visions of the future during the International Hardware Fair Cologne

For the first time ever at the trade show – known in the German-speaking world as Eisenwarenmesse -- 15 start-ups will be presenting their visions of the future to international top decision-makers, trade visitors and exhibitors at three workstations. The Start-up Village is being organized in cooperation with fediyma, the European Federation of DIY Manufacturers and the trend scout and futurist, Richard van Hooijdonk.

The selection of the start-ups and their business models won't be announced until the first day of the fair.

According to organizers of the international event – slated for March 4-7 -- new technologies and new business models play an ever-increasingly important role for the entire hardware industry. And the Start-up Village is a response to those new forces.

Fifteen newcomers were chosen from over 1,100 start-ups, who will present new technologies such as virtual reality, 3D printing, artificial intelligence and neurotechnology. They will showcase their products and services to the international trade audience from 4 to 6 March in the form of 20-minute presentations on the stage of the Village.

“In addition to unique business opportunities and new contacts, the Start-up Village offers the participating companies, trade visitors and exhibitors of Eisenwarenmesse - International Hardware Fair Cologne the possibility for an exchange about the current and future developments on the global hardware and DIY market,” reads a prepared statement from Koelnmesse, organizers of the trade fair.

The Village will enable traditional companies to enter the digital space together with the start-ups in order to experience new impulses and possibilities for the future, according to Koelnmesse.