MittelstandsMAKERTHON NRW 2024: AI solutions for small and medium-sized companies

The series of events is organised by the SME platform NRW.Innovationspartner, its regional partners and KI.NRW.

Artificial intelligence offers tangible innovation potential for SMEs. However, small and medium-sized companies in particular often lack the time and resources to work on a suitable AI solution. For example, to make production processes significantly more efficient, to make products smarter or to improve the customer experience.

This is where the SMEMAKERTHON NRW 2024 comes in. In the first half of the year, three Makerthons will take place in East Westphalia-Lippe (20-22 March), in the Rhineland/Rhenish region (22-24 May) and in South Westphalia (7-8 June), where thought leaders will tackle the challenges and problems faced by SMEs and develop a solution.

And this is how it works: Interested entrepreneurs from SMEs in North Rhine-Westphalia apply in advance of the events and describe their specific challenge. They receive help from experienced innovation coaches and AI experts, for example from KI.NRW, who support the development of the AI challenge. During the Makerthons, creative, professionally guided teams of students develop ideas for the companies that can become new perspectives and options for action for SMEs. Afterwards, our experts also support the transfer of the developed solution into the operational practice of the companies.

The events are free of charge. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.