On November 20, 2024, the fourth and final round of the Unicorn Pitch Series 2024 took place. Once again, the Factory Campus in Düsseldorf served as the ideal venue, offering an open and inspiring atmosphere perfectly suited for this event. The evening began with a warm welcome from Hanns Tappen, Founder and Chairman of StartupDorf e.V., who guided the audience through the program and emphasized the importance of the pitch series for the regional startup ecosystem. Silke Roggermann, host and representative of Factory Campus, showcased the versatility of the campus facilities and highlighted the long-standing partnership with StartupDorf that has existed for many years.
Diverse Business Ideas on Stage
The evening featured four startups addressing challenges across a variety of industries. Each startup had five minutes to pitch their idea, followed by an engaging Q&A session with the audience. Around 60 guests attended to watch the pitches and cast their votes.
Voting Results:
- 🥇 Wellenpuls, represented by Christian Senfleben, secured first place with 44.19% of the votes. Christian presented a scientifically-backed solution to address non-specific back pain, impressing both the audience and the jury. Reflecting on his win, Christian said:
“Pitching at StartupDorf was a fantastic opportunity, and winning the competition makes me incredibly proud. Thank you to the entire StartupDorf team for this amazing event and the great audience who made this evening unforgettable for me.”
- 🥈 Cybervize, pitched by Alexander Busse, took second place with 25.58% of the votes. Their AI-powered approach to cybersecurity, which integrates preventive and automated measures, stood out for its innovation and practicality.
- 🥉 JobStonks, presented by Jan-Philipp Koch, came in third with 16.28% of the votes. Their cross-company reference system offers a promising way to make recruitment processes more efficient and transparent.
- 🏅 DocuFi3D, represented by Patrick Rayermann, earned 13.95% of the votes with an innovative biometric signature platform that combines blockchain technology with user-friendly design and GDPR compliance.
Insights into Düsseldorf’s Startup Scene
The Unicorn Pitch Series 2024 has once again demonstrated the vibrancy and diversity of the startup ecosystem in Düsseldorf and beyond. The presented business ideas showcased how modern technologies can address critical challenges in fields such as health, cybersecurity, recruitment, and digital transformation. The audience had the opportunity to gain deeper insights into forward-looking topics and actively participate in the discussions.
The dynamic mix of seasoned entrepreneurs and emerging founders created an energetic atmosphere, enabling attendees to network and exchange valuable insights for their own projects.
Acknowledgments
A special thanks goes to Factory Campus, which once again provided a fantastic venue for this event. Silke Roggermann, the Chief Serendipity Officer of Factory Campus, played a key role by introducing the campus and actively supporting networking throughout the evening. We also extend our gratitude to betawerke, a long-standing partner that helps make our events possible. Finally, a big thank you to the outstanding team, including Karl Grote, Jens Hauke, and Jessica Ojelabi, who, along with Hanns Tappen, ensured a seamless and inspiring event.
Reflection and Outlook
The Unicorn Pitch Series 2024 concludes with this impressive final round, but the momentum and inspiration from the presented startups will continue to resonate. The showcased ideas in health, cybersecurity, recruitment, and digital transformation demonstrate how startups are tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Wellenpuls, led by Christian Senfleben, captured the audience’s attention with its innovative, scientifically grounded solution for non-specific back pain. By integrating neuromuscular electrostimulation with user-friendly applications, Wellenpuls not only offers relief but also empowers users to adopt sustainable health practices. Its patent-pending technology and early market validation through enthusiastic pilot users indicate strong growth potential in the health and wellness sector.
Cybervize, presented by Alexander Busse, stood out with its comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed for SMEs and fast-growing companies. Combining AI-driven threat detection with preventive automation, Cybervize addresses one of today’s most pressing concerns: digital security. The platform’s focus on adaptability and compliance makes it a compelling choice for businesses navigating increasingly complex cybersecurity landscapes.
JobStonks, represented by Jan-Philipp Koch, introduced an innovative cross-company reference system that leverages personal networks to streamline recruitment processes. This fresh approach to recruiting has the potential to disrupt traditional methods, especially for businesses seeking cost-effective and transparent hiring solutions. While the concept is in its early stages, its scalability and appeal to a broad user base signal exciting opportunities ahead.
DocuFi3D, pitched by Patrick Rayermann, impressed with its biometric digital signature platform. By combining blockchain-backed security with GDPR compliance, DocuFi3D addresses the growing demand for trustworthy and efficient document management solutions. The technology’s flexibility and integration potential make it a valuable tool for industries grappling with legal and regulatory challenges, setting the stage for further innovation in the digital signature market.
Together, these startups reflect the dynamic nature of today’s entrepreneurial landscape, tackling critical challenges in health, cybersecurity, recruitment, and digital transformation. Each idea offers a glimpse into the future, where innovative technologies reshape the way we approach everyday problems and unlock new opportunities for growth and impact.
We look forward to future events that will once again shed light on the dynamic startup ecosystem in Düsseldorf and beyond.
Details about the Startups and Founders
🔐 Cybervize
The cybersecurity platform for SMEs and fast-growing companies, offering solutions for people, processes, and technology. Founder Alexander Busse, an experienced security expert and former PwC partner, leads the way.
#Cybersecurity #DeepTech #AI
👥 JobStonks
An all-in-one recruiting platform redefining headhunting. Co-founder Jan-Philipp Koch and his team enable anyone to become a headhunter.
#HRTech #FutureOfWork #SaaS
🖋️ DocuFi3D
Taking digital signatures to the next level! Biometric, secure, and blockchain-backed – founders Patrick Rayermann and Tim Brückmann combine data protection and blockchain for maximum compliance.
#DigitalSignature #BlockchainTech #RegTech #eSig
💪 Wellenpuls
The smart solution for people with back pain. Christian Senfleben, a former sufferer himself, developed a patented neuromuscular electrostimulation solution to effectively relieve pain.
#HealthTech #MedTech
Organizer and Sponsors: StartupDorf organization team on site, with Hanns Tappen, Jessica Ojelabi, Jens Hauke and Karl Grote. betawerke represented by Hanns Tappen. Factory Campus with Silke Roggermann.
Next StartupDorf Event: For those who can't wait, the next StartupDorf event will take place on December 4th. This time, it will be a XMAS Santa Claus Gründerstammtisch Special. Tickets are available on Eventbrite (soon).
