Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Dirk Wiese is opening today’s Start-up Night for the municipal sector in the Economic Affairs Ministry. The event is organised together with the Association of Local Utilities (VKU) and forms part of the successful series of “Start-up Nights” matching events offered by the Economic Affairs Ministry to foster networking between young and established companies in a variety of sectors.

State Secretary Dirk Wiese said: “Digitalisation will transform the municipal utility sector. Innovative digital concepts will enable municipal enterprises to broaden their range of services and tap efficiencies. For example, fitting refuse bins with sensors can result in a more efficient, needs-based refuse collection. Or waste water pipes can be designed to adapt to different levels of use, thus cutting maintenance costs. These examples show how start-ups are supplying valuable ideas for the municipal sector as it goes digital. The Municipal Sector Start-up Night is intended to help bring together start-ups and municipal enterprises in the public interest.”

Katherina Reiche, director of the Association of Local Public Utilities, said: “Digitalisation will enable municipal enterprises to reinvent themselves and develop smart concepts. The potential is enormous and municipal enterprises have the right sense for where local digitalisation is needed. They manage the main arteries of cities and municipalities, from energy to water, from waste to transport. They are building the basic infrastructure for the gigabit society: optical fibre networks. And they are networking services, people, companies and administrations in the cities of the future. So we are delighted that we are able to put another building block in place today together with the Economic Affairs Ministry as we network municipal utilities and digital entrepreneurs. I expect exciting and innovative ideas for new business models.”

The Municipal Sector Start-up Night offers young firms a chance to present themselves to representatives of municipal enterprises. Up to fifteen start-ups will present their business models in three rounds of pitches on “Water and Waste Water”, “Energy” and “Waste Management and Urban Cleaning Services”. Also, three municipal utilities will discuss how they collaborate with start-ups and what the hot trends are in the sector. The accompanying exhibition provides insights into the innovative ideas and products of further start-ups working on municipal issues. In this way, the event is offering both start-ups and municipal firms the opportunity to meet with potential partners.