Startup Call – What is it and who does it?

How do I find the right partner to drive innovation in my company? Many managers turn to the Ambivation team with this question. In addition to traditional methods such as startup monitoring and startup screening, we also like to give our clients the opportunity to approach startups together with us. A startup call is one of the easiest and most uncomplicated ways to get to know young companies that not only have innovative solutions, but are also genuinely interested in working with us.

Definition: What is a startup call?

A startup call is a call for startups to contact a player. The purpose is always to get to know each other, with the aim of driving innovation forward together and generating added value.

As a rule, a startup call is linked to a specific cause. For example, the search for solutions to certain challenges and issues, a pitch to investors or other event formats.

A startup call can be carried out by players in the startup ecosystem such as incubators, accelerators and investors, but also by companies, investors and public institutions such as universities, research institutes or city councils.

For a startup call to be visible and successful, it must be linked to an (online) campaign and evaluated and followed up. We support interested clients from the conception and implementation of startup calls to the initiation of subsequent collaborations.

When does a startup call make sense?

A startup call is suitable for anyone who has not yet decided on a specific solution in their search for startups, but is open to exploring a wide range of solutions.

Startup Calls offer the advantage that startups that are genuinely interested in working together come forward – either because they are still new to the market and are working hard to find cooperation partners, because they find the topic of the Call particularly interesting or because the initiator simply seems attractive to them as a customer, partner or investor.

This means that startups that respond to a Startup Call are highly motivated. An important prerequisite for successful collaboration! Against this background, startup calls are also particularly interesting for anyone who wants to support the development of a startup as an investor or early adopter right from the start.

Occasions for a startup call

From a methodological point of view, it always makes sense to combine a Startup Call with a specific event. This gives the startups the opportunity to present themselves in a targeted manner and provide clear insights into their ideas and working methods. A startup call can relate to the following events, for example:

• Pitches
  Pitches can be held as a stand-alone event format or as part of startup festivals, trade fairs or networking events. In the context of the Startup Call, the initiators ask startups from specific regions or sectors to apply for participation.
  The aim of the pitch can be to find customers and investors, but also, for example, to participate in accelerator or other funding programs and to share innovative solutions on specific topics.
• Trade fairs
  More and more trade fair organizers are specifically integrating startups into their programs. In some cases, startups are even given their own large areas where they can present themselves and their solutions.
  Startup calls make it easier for the initiators to prepare the event and enable them to reach many relevant players.

• digitalBAU
• EMO Hanover

• Startup tours
  Startup tours are organized by matchmakers such as Ambivation. The aim is to give managing directors and other representatives of established companies exciting and authentic insights into startups in specific sectors and regions in order to create the conditions for a deeper understanding and, ideally, future collaborations. In the run-up to a Startup Tour, a Startup Call can help to identify interested startups.
• Startup challenges
  Startup calls can also relate to a startup challenge, i.e. a specific challenge for which innovative solutions are being sought from startups.
  In this case, the Startup Call is part of the campaign with which initiators attract attention to a Startup Challenge. We support clients from the preparation to the implementation and evaluation of the challenge as well as in initiating cooperation with potential partners.
• Investments
  Young founders often focus primarily on the better-known, large investors. Startup calls are therefore a useful method for less well-known or new investors to attract the attention of startups.
  The startup call can be combined with a competition, a pitch or the opportunity to get to know each other informally, for example. Interested investors can make use of the support of our experts during the preparation phase.

What information should a startup call contain?
– Initiator: Who is behind the call and how do startups reach contact persons?
– Goal: What is the purpose of the call?
– Time frame: By when should startups get in touch?
– Regional framework: Does the call refer to participants from one region, Germany, Europe or the whole world?
– Sector: From which sectors are startups being sought?
– Application: How should startups apply and what needs to be prepared?
– Benefits: What do startups get out of responding to the call?

How does a startup call work?
A call is made quickly. But for a startup call to be successful, careful preparation and follow-up are also important. The following steps should definitely be planned for a startup call.

1. Needs analysis
What are a company’s expectations and requirements? Is a startup call really the best method for solving a need? What are the framework conditions? An experienced startup scout clarifies these and many other questions before the planning of a startup call begins.

2. Conception
Every startup call is as individual as the companies or institutions that initiate it. Goals, sub-goals and tasks are defined in a clear concept so that good ideas are followed by concrete steps.

3. Campaign
For a Startup Call to be successful, it needs visibility. This depends on the design of the call itself as well as its distribution in relevant (online) media. Experienced startup scouts know which relevant sites young companies use to find information and how advertisements, for example in social media, attract the attention of relevant players.

4. Event
If the Startup Challenge is combined with an event, careful planning and implementation is also important here. It is worth getting supporters on board at an early stage, such as regional networks, investors or accelerators.
If you can impress with an attractive line-up right from the announcement, it is easier to attract startups who are interested in participating.

5. Evaluation
In order to avoid wrong decisions or even bad investments, an evaluation should definitely be carried out after getting to know the startups. In the course of this process, the startups are scrutinized once again so that the selection for cooperation projects or investments is easier.

6. Initiation of collaborations or investments
Once the right startup partner has finally been found, it is time to enter into negotiations and find the best form of cooperation for both parties. Ambivation’s experienced match-makers take on an interface role if required and accompany the process through to signing and beyond.