Fresh Ideas from Düsseldorf #04
The Digital Demo Day on 18 August 2022 once again impressively demonstrated what Düsseldorf has to offer for start-ups. The 6th edition of Germany‘s leading start-up trade fair and tech conference for the industry attracted over 200 tech start-ups as exhibitors and numerous industry representatives, entrepreneurs and pioneers to Areal Böhler. Presentations, discussions, learning and live and face-to-face networking took place around the future topics of sustainability, Metaverse and Hi-Tech NRW. In a live pitch, 12 teams presented their digital innovations to the audience - the winner was awarded 3,000 euros in prize money. The ecosystem for the start-up scene is thus growing and thriving magnificently - and also provides a good set up for the two start-ups we are presenting today: Luizzo and Mixup.
Terrazzo interior
When Luisa Scheu moved to Düsseldorf for a job in spring 2020, her initial euphoria was abruptly cut short by the pandemic and being furloughed. However, she still managed to stay positive: “I had more time to concentrate on furnishing my flat. As a creative mind, this was a very welcome change.” While looking for furnishings, one material in particular caught her eye: Terrazzo, a robust, decorative floor covering that is mixed from cement and marble fragments and originated in Italy many thousand years ago. Luisa also noticed that there is hardly any know-how about this material in Germany.
The pandemic continued, the situation in the new job did not get any better: Luisa Scheu decided to take the matter of terrazzo into her own hands in Germany and founded LUIZZO (Luisa + Terrazzo). She found a stonemason in Düsseldorf who offered her his workshop to tinker with a method of production. Eventually, after investing lots of time and effort, and some tears, the result was respectable. But Luisa wanted to work with an experienced producer from Italy, the motherland of terrazzo, to professionalise the business and be able to produce on a larger scale. She entered into a partnership with a small family business in the fourth generation and with the experience of over 100 years of terrazzo craftsmanship. Since then, she has been offering terrazzo tiles in addition to furniture and accessories: “There is great potential for the German market, which is why I want to continually expand the range of tiles.” You can view and, of course, buy the high-quality terrazzo products from the online shop or in the LUIZZO pop-up store in Düsseldorf’s Lorettostraße. •
Luizzo GmbH, Lorettostraße 56, 40219 Düsseldorf
Meeting virtually, just like in real life
Online events that feel like being in the real world, instead of events where a few speak while everyone else is bored and listens with the webcam switched off: that is the idea behind MixUp GmbH, which Oliver Eberlei founded in February 2021. “We want to create individual worlds in which employees can exchange ideas with their colleagues or customers in an informal way, just like at a real event. The focus should be on networking,” explains Oliver, who is also a game developer and has already launched the VR café Holocafe in Düsseldorf. A similarly playful approach is taken at the events, lectures and trade shows that MixUp creates for companies in virtual space.
The focus is on the participants, who walk through interactive trade fair worlds with stages and exhibitor stands with their own full avatar, develop ideas in workshop rooms or have a drink at the science fiction bar. “We not only provide individual avatars, but also design the 3D worlds according to our customers’ needs. For example, if it is an outdoor event, we create a virtual forest clearing; for a Christmas party, there is a Christmas market.” MixUp’s customers include not only companies but also universities. On average, 150 to 250 people take part in an event, occasionally even a few thousand. The concept is popular because the interactive exchange is more immediate and spontaneous than in classic online meetings - just like in real life. •
MixUp GmbH, Am Wehrhahn 41, 40211 Düsseldorf
Words Dominik Deden
Pictures Luizzo GmbH/ Design Studio B.O.B.
Oliver Eberlei/MixUp GmbH