A Night to Remember: Defia Software at the First Start-Up Night Kiel

On May 22, 2025, the city of Kiel became a hub for innovation, fresh ideas, and entrepreneurial spirit as it hosted the very first Start-Up Night at the Metro Kino. As one of the event’s main sponsors, defia software was proud to support this remarkable initiative, designed to give rising start-ups the stage they deserve.

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Image: MTP - Startup Night in Kiel

Empowering Innovation, Supporting Vision

At defia software, we believe that real innovation needs more than code — it needs community, courage, and visibility. That’s why supporting this premiere event organized by MTP – Marketing zwischen Theorie und Praxis e.V. aligned perfectly with our mission to drive digital transformation and empower tomorrow’s leaders.

The evening gathered students, founders, MTP alumni, and startup enthusiasts under one roof, all eager to celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurship. The energy in the room was electric — a powerful reminder that innovation thrives where passion meets opportunity.

Meet the Visionaries: Four Start-Ups, Four Bold Ideas

The stage belonged to four promising young companies:

• nuranda

• HYBEAM

• WasteSide

• Glowseeker

Each delivered a sharp, engaging pitch, presenting their ideas to both a professional jury and a captivated audience. From sustainability solutions to digital experiences, the diversity of the ideas showcased the breadth of what young founders in Germany are capable of.

A Jury That Knows What It Takes

A distinguished jury of experts had the difficult task of selecting the evening’s winner. Among them was our very own Alexander Friedel, Head of Sales Germany at defia software, who joined:

• Emma Hufker – National Head of Finance, MTP e.V.

• Özgürcan Baş – Start-up Specialist, Förde Sparkasse

• Prof. Dr. Holger Schneider – Founding Partner, digitice.io

Together, they assessed the originality, feasibility, and potential of each pitch — and ultimately selected the winning team, which also received enthusiastic support from the audience in a live vote.

Jury Impressions – A Personal Reflection from Our Team

For Alexander Friedel, our Head of Sales Germany, the event was not only a professional engagement but also his first time serving as a jury member — and a truly enjoyable one.

Image: MTP - Startup Night in Kiel

Here’s what he had to say about the four participating start-ups:

The Start-Up Night in Kiel was a wonderful premiere and marked my personal debut as a jury member — an experience I truly enjoyed. Each start-up brought something unique to the table. I found nuranda’s approach especially compelling; I’ll definitely be sourcing office supplies from them, as their model of generating donations through a major commodity market is both innovative and impactful. WasteSide immediately resonated with me — had I still been a student, I would’ve signed up without hesitation. HYBEAM struck me as a strong candidate for applications in service and machine training, while Glowseeker’s strategy of building a community around the product is not only smart but also sustainable. With defia’s expertise in software engineering and sales, we’re proud to help great ideas like these take flight. A big thank you to MTP and my fellow jury members — I’m cheering for all the start-ups on their journey ahead!

Alexander’s hands-on perspective highlights what made this event truly unique: diverse ideas, real-world relevance, and a shared excitement for what’s possible.

Beyond Applause: Real Support for the Winner

The winning start-up not only earned recognition but also received a cash prize and business coaching, provided by defia software. This is not just a symbolic gesture — our team is now actively supporting the winner by offering expert guidance in technology, strategy, and sales development.

We’re proud to be contributing directly to their next steps and look forward to seeing their progress unfold.

Reflections from the Evening

The event was more than just a competition — it was a celebration of courage. From the moment the pitches began to the final networking conversations, it was clear: Germany’s startup ecosystem is alive, well, and full of ambition.

A special thanks goes to MTP Kiel and the entire organization team for curating such a professional, welcoming, and inspiring atmosphere. Their dedication made this premiere possible — and unforgettable.

What This Means for Defia Software

Being a part of the first Start-Up Night in Kiel wasn’t just about visibility. It was about living our values. We’ve always believed that technology should serve people — and that starts by supporting the bold thinkers who want to build something meaningful.

Whether through our sponsorship, our presence on the jury, or the ongoing mentorship we’re providing, our commitment is clear: we support innovation where it starts — on the ground, in the minds of young founders.

Until Next Time

The first Start-Up Night Kiel set a high standard — and we’re excited to see how it evolves in the coming years. One thing is certain: defia software will continue to be a proud partner to the startup community, providing more than just software — providing support, insight, and opportunity.

🥂 Here’s to many more bold ideas and successful founders.