How do we bring technological innovations into the media industry’s daily practice faster and more targeted? First and foremost, by bringing the right players to the same table—just like at the Startup Discovery at the MediaTech Hub Potsdam. This October, eleven founding teams from the MTH Accelerator met with leading players from the German media industry.

The background of the format: Established media companies are increasingly looking for customized solutions—whether in artificial intelligence, workflow automation, or the development of new production and distribution infrastructures. This is precisely where the MediaTech Hub Potsdam steps in with the Startup Discovery: The event brings founders and industry decision-makers to the same table to explore potential collaborations directly and without unnecessary detours.

Speed-Dating Instead of Pitches

For the latest edition of the Startup Discovery, the format was deliberately evolved. Classic frontal presentations and strict time limits on stage were replaced by fast-paced, 1-on-1 conversations held across various rooms throughout the Hub. A total of 39 of these speed-dating sessions took place that day at the Hub, followed by relaxed networking over drinks & snacks.

The startup teams had the opportunity to present their solutions directly to the innovation and domain leads of the partner companies. During the conversations, they received immediate feedback on their business models while gaining insights into the companies’ real-world use cases—opening up potential entry points for pilot projects.

Strong Lineup from Industry and Ecosystem

On the industry side, a broad spectrum of companies and organizations participated in the talks. The range of participants extended from leading cloud infrastructure providers and national broadcasters to traditional production companies and archival institutions: Amazon Web Services, the German Broadcasting Archive (DRA), Google, ProSiebenSat.1, rbb, RTL Deutschland, Studio Babelsberg, and UFA.

From the MTH Accelerator portfolio, eleven selected startups presented their technological approaches: Chapter41, Cosi, DeepTranslate, European Artist Bank, Heimstatt GmbH, The Funkatorium GbR, MedyaN, Ontoworks AI, SafeCircles, SIISTER.ai, and Weavii.

Building Bridges Between Innovation and Practice

The event highlighted once again the strategic importance of the Potsdam-Babelsberg location as an interface between the tech startup scene and the established media economy. Theoretical innovation approaches and the practical requirements of the industry are often close together—what matters most is providing the right framework to bring supply and demand together in a targeted way.

Following the intensive sessions, the event transitioned into an open networking round at Café Maria, where initial connections were deepened in an informal setting.

Thanks to everyone involved—and see you at the next Startup Discovery!