Fresh Ideas from Düsseldorf #01
A digital marketplace for metals, an online platform for clothing repairs, pre-cooked gourmet cooking boxes for a special culinary experience. We introduce you to three exciting Düsseldorf start-ups that want to improve different areas of life with the help of digital solutions.
The business climate in the German start-up scene is brightening up again and the ecosystem for start-ups in Germany is also constantly improving. These are two of the findings from the 9th German Startup Monitor. Because with their fresh, often digital ideas, start-ups are an important innovation driver for the entire economy. This also became clear in last year’s DIGITAL DEMO DAY (DDD), held in September. 150 start-ups presented their products and technologies at the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. “At the DDD, we turn the tables: it is not the established companies that present themselves here, but the start-ups and their innovative business models that are clearly the focus”, says Theresa Winkels, Head of Economic
Development.
Culinary experiences with a big grin
How do you put a big grin on people’s faces? With good food, for example. Or with unexpectedly positive experiences. The catering professional Georg Heimanns’ start-up THE BIG GRIN stands for both. At Easter 2020, he supplied customers with pre-cooked gourmet boxes for a three-course meal at home. The concept was well received – and encouraged Heimanns to found THE BIG GRIN together with his son Julius Heimanns and the marketing-savvy Tim Blasberg. “Our goal was not only to offer the best food for delivery for as many occasions as possible, but to create a supreme culinary experience: at home, in the office, for singles, couples and teams”, Georg Heimanns reports.
The start-up THE BIG GRIN sells exclusive cooking boxes for every occasion – at home, in the office or for events.
The orange boxes are prepared according to the so-called “ready-to-finish” approach: The professionals chop, season and partially cook in advance (for example sauces), and then at home it only requires a few more steps. In October 2020, the Düsseldorf natives launched their idea; first for private customers, then also for companies. “Just a few weeks ago, we launched our platform for corporate customers”, says Tim Blasberg. “With THE BIG GRIN Business, we offer healthy office snacks, delicious home office food and exclusive catering boxes.” The response has been consistently positive, Julius Heimanns tells us. “We are particularly proud of highlights such as the McKinsey Christmas party or the 15th anniversary of the cooking show “The Perfect Dinner”, which we were proud to provide with our gourmet boxes.” Heimanns & Co. recently started delivering their boxes throughout Germany. •
The Big Grin
Schwerinstr. 36
40477 Düsseldorf
www.the-big-grin.de
Digital, efficient and sustainable metal trading – via Metalshub, iron, steel & co. find new buyers worldwide.
The future of metals trading
“We are developing the Amazon for metals!” With this vision, Dr Frank Jackel and Dr Sebastian Kreft decided to found Metalshub – an online platform for digital, efficient and sustainable metals trading – in a London pub in June 2016. Because the two had experienced first-hand how little digital raw material purchasing is in the sales department of a mining company. “We wanted to create a tool that would transform the metals industry and enable anyone to trade digitally with anyone in a convenient and secure way”, says metallurgist Frank Jackel. For more than a year, the two worked on the implementation, and trading on the platform started at the end of 2017. A lot has happened since then. “Metalshub has grown steadily since the market launch”, reports economist Sebastian Kreft. “In the first year, the trading volume was around 25 million euros, in 2019 it was already 100 million, in 2020 even 300. This year, we want to break the billion mark for the first time.”
The Metalshub team now consists of soon to be 40 software developers, business development managers and marketing experts from more than 10 countries – and the number is growing. “We are pleased that both leading mining groups and steel companies are using Metalshub”, says Frank Jackel. So far, the focus of the platform has been on the iron and steel industry. In the coming years, it should also be possible to trade copper, aluminium or zinc, for example, via Metalshub. Düsseldorf is an ideal location for their business. “After all, North Rhine-Westphalia is the heart of the metals industry in Europe.” •
Metals Hub GmbH
Platz der Ideen 1
40476 Düsseldorf
www.metals-hub.com
Rebels for the most sustainable fashion
Repairing is cool. And with the start-up Repair Rebels, it’s just as easy as buying new – only more personal and sustainable.
She wanted to develop a sustainable fashion brand. But then Dr Monika Hauck realised that the most sustainable clothes are the ones we already own. That was the birth of Repair Rebels. The Düsseldorf-based start-up has set itself the task of rethinking the repair industry, digitalising it and thus ensuring that favourite clothes are worn for longer. “People who have clothes repaired have nothing to be ashamed of – quite the opposite!” affirms Monika Hauck. “With Repair Rebels we want to create a new awareness for sustainability in the fashion world: Repairing is cool!”
At the end of 2020, the founder launched the online platform repair-rebels.com. The principle: you book a repair, the garment is picked up from your home at an agreed time and returned repaired a few days later. It’s as easy as buying new – only more personal and sustainable. For this, Monika and her team cooperate with many alteration tailors and cobblers in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area. “Our business model is a win-win for everyone”, she says. “Our customers benefit from the simple, digital process, the local craft businesses from the additional orders – and the environment thanks us because fewer clothes are thrown away.” A native of Lithuania, Monika learned to tailor and repair while still at school. “Repairing is a way of life. Our planet doesn’t need more clothes. It needs more happy people and resilient communities.” •
Repair Rebels
Lorettostraße 9
40219 Düsseldorf
www.repair-rebels.com
Words Maria Leipold
Pictures THE BIG GRIN , Metalshub (janladwig.com), Repair Rebels