Cultivation Ground for Media Innovations: Media Lab Bavaria
Media Lab Bayern: A Decade of Supporting Digital Media Startups
In the heart of Munich, the Media Lab Bayern has been a beacon for innovative digital media startups for the past ten years. Established in 2011, its mission is to support and promote the development of startups in the media sector.
Over the years, the Media Lab Bayern has provided a unique blend of financial support, a safe space to learn, useful methods, and close facilitation to over 80 startups. This supportive environment has proven to be successful, with 84% of these startups still active three years after completing the funding, a figure that is 27% higher than the average of US startups.
The Media Lab Bayern's approach is multifaceted. It provides co-working spaces, networking opportunities, and mentorship to startups and founders. Running accelerator programs and innovation labs, it fosters growth and scaling of tech startups. The organisation also facilitates connections between startups, established companies, research institutions, and investors, strengthening collaboration and business development.
Community events, workshops, and pitch nights are regular occurrences, helping startups gain visibility and access to funding. These activities have helped nurture a vibrant startup ecosystem in Munich, particularly in creative tech and media sectors, by enabling innovative projects to grow and connect internationally.
The Media Lab Bayern's current portfolio includes notable startups like Articly and So Done. Articly tackles monetizing journalistic content, reaching young audiences, and dealing with hate speech, while So Done addresses pressing challenges in the media industry.
In partnership with SWR X Lab and Mastodon, the Media Lab Bayern is currently involved in several joint funding projects that serve as a blueprint for future scaling efforts. The organisation also develops targeted funding programs for the industry on a regular basis.
As it looks to the future, the Media Lab Bayern plans to form more partnerships and expand its network across Germany. The application phase for the next startup batch is now open, inviting innovative startups to join its vibrant community.
With two locations in Munich and Ansbach, the Media Lab Bayern continues to expand its successes, having collected over 60 million euros in venture capital and over 2.5 million euros from partners like the University of the Armed Forces or the Robert Bosch Foundation. The organisation takes pride in its continuous development of events as a means of fostering innovation.
For the most precise and up-to-date information, consulting Media Lab Bayern's official reports or website directly would be recommended. The Media Lab Bayern's startups have also won over 30,000 paying customers, a testament to the organisation's impact on the local startup ecosystem.
In this vibrant community of creative tech and media startups, the Media Lab Bayern fosters a sustainable lifestyle by offering support, co-working spaces, and networking opportunities, enabling these startups to grow and connect internationally. Moreover, in partnership with other organisations, the Media Lab Bayern develops and implements funding programs focused on sustainable living, encouraging the growth of innovative startups dedicated to solving pressing challenges across various sectors, such as journalism and the media industry.
