Cologne, July 5 2018 – DMEXCO and SevenVentures, the investment branch of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, today announced a strategic partnership. In addition to DMEXCO’s own “The HATCH” competition (winner 2017: engagement platform Opinary), the SevenVentures Pitch Day (7VPD) will be another top format for start-ups to successfully present themselves and establish relevant contacts among decision-makers and strategic partners at DMEXCO in 2018. As prize money, SevenVentures has offered a comprehensive media and service package consisting of three million euros in TV media budget, 200,000 euros in online marketing budget and 30,000 euros for the creation of the winner’s own TV commercial. In addition to this, a four-month mentoring program is being offered by Procter & Gamble, the world’s leading consumer goods company. A team of experts from P&G will support the winning start-up with any questions they may have in the operational business.
The winning start-up can thus draw on the entire marketing and sales knowledge of all the prize donors.
SevenVentures Pitch Day – young B2C growth companies wanted
This year, the most creative and innovative B2C start-ups with unique products or services are being sought. Companies must have a scalable business model and already be at the right stage of development to cope with the demand resulting from a successful TV campaign. Both German companies wishing to advertise their product on the ProSiebenSat.1 TV channels and international companies that are not yet active in the German market and want to change this are eligible to participate.
How to enter
Start-ups can submit their applications via the SevenVentures website (www.sevenventures.de) from July 5 to August 22, 2018. Three finalists will be selected from this pool of applicants for the grand final at DMEXCO. The fourth finalist will go to one of the start-ups exhibiting at DMEXCO, who will take part in the SevenVentures Pitch Day bywild card.
The final
In 2018, SevenVentures, the investment branch of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, will host what will be the eighth final altogether, for the first time on the DMEXCO Debate Stage. In addition to well-known TV presenters and a jury of prominent figures, the participating start-ups have the chance to showcase their products to a wide audience. The wild card holder from the pool of start-ups exhibiting at DMEXCO will then be among the four finalists at the 7VPD. The winner selected by the jury at DMEXCO will receive a media package worth three million euros for TV and 200,000 euros for online advertising, a TV commercial with a production value of 30,000 euros, and a four-month mentoring program provided by Procter & Gamble.
The jury
As in the previous years, the professional jury of the 7VPD consists of experienced industry experts. Just to name a few, former tennis professional, entrepreneur and sponsor Michael Stich, Astrid Teckentrup, Vice President Sales at Procter & Gamble DACH as well as both SevenVenture’s CEOs Eun-Kyung Park and Florian Pauthner, who will rate the start-ups’ presentations jointly in a team of two. The moderation will again be carried out by Steven Gätjen.
Registration period extended
The arrival of the SevenVentures Pitch Day at DMEXCO 2018 means that the application deadline for the Start-up Village has been extended to July 31, 2018 to give even more upcoming companies the chance to win the wild card and the 7VPD prize money of three million euros. At bit.ly/DMEXCO_Start-up_village, start-ups can now apply for one of the coveted exhibitor spots.
“Major brands, international investors and important corporate decision-makers from all over the world will be present at DMEXCO. For the start-ups – and thus for our Pitch Day as well – this is an ideal environment in which to make valuable contacts. We are very pleased to have SevenVentures Pitch Day in Cologne being part of DMEXCO in September,” says Florian Pauthner, SevenVentures Managing Director.
Former tennis star, entrepreneur, sponsor and one of this year’s jurors Michael Stich says: “Those who want to succeed in professional sport need fighting spirit, perseverance and an extra portion of steadfastness in order to pass at growing competitive pressure. The same applies to founders. I really enjoy sharing my experience with young, motivated companies. I am very much looking forward to my role as a juror of the SevenVentures Pitch Day this year.”
Astrid Teckentrup, Vice President Sales at P&G DACH: “I am looking very forward to being on the jury for the SevenVentures Pitch Day as part of DMEXCO and hope for exciting applicants. The winner can look forward to an intensive mentoring program with a team of experts from P&G. We will provide the winning start-up with our broad expertise and experience for questions ranging from marketing to production and logistics. After all, we ourselves receive valuable impetus from outside the company. To remain on the leading edge, we have to open up to outside impulses. There has never been a better time to learn together. With this in mind, the close exchange is a true win-win situation for everyone involved.”
“SevenVenture’s decision for DMEXCO is not only an extraordinary positive signal for Cologne as a trade fair location, but also as a whole for Cologne and its wider region as a homebase for digital founders and start-ups,” explains Gerald Böse, President and CEO of Koelnmesse.
“The SevenVentures Pitch Day is a great enrichment for this year’s DMEXCO. The fact that ProSiebenSat.1 will present one of the most important start-up competitions in the world under the DMEXCO umbrella shows the great importance of DMEXCO for innovative companies. I’m looking forward to the finalists, their ideas and a wealth of inspiration for the digital industry,” says Dr. Dominik Matyka, DMEXCO Chief Advisor.
About SevenVentures
SevenVentures is the leading global TV media investor. As the investment arm of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group, SevenVentures is the ideal partner for high-growth B2C companies, particularly in the consumer goods, retail and services industries, who have the potential to achieve sustainable success by launching TV advertising campaigns. Zalando is the perfect example of how companies can take advantage of this to become market leaders or popular brands. SevenVentures also supports enterprises seeking international growth with media power, capital and all other services of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group. In cooperation with the Group network, comprised of leading European media companies, they always find the right growth strategy.
About DMEXCO
DMEXCO is the meeting place and a community for key players in digital business, marketing, and innovation. We bring together industry leaders, marketing and media professionals, and tech pioneers to set the digital agenda. Both globally informed and locally focused, DMEXCO offers an ecosystem with seminars, debates, and expositions outlining the future of the digital economy and driving market value.
Bringing together 40,000 visitors, 1,100 exhibitors, and 500 speakers from around the world for a one-of-a-kind event each year in Cologne, DMEXCO has set the standard as the place for business minds to learn and inspire, build connections, and for ideas to become actions. DMEXCO — where tomorrow’s digital business happens today.
The German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW e.V.) — with special participation from the Circle of Online Marketers (OVK) — is the ideational and professional partner of DMEXCO and the owner of the trademark. DMEXCO is organized by Koelnmesse.
DMEXCO 2018 will be held in Cologne on September 12 & 13, 2018. You can find all the information about DMEXCO 2017, as well as photos, videos, and original audio material, at https://dmexco.com, www.facebook.com/dmexco, http://twitter.com/dmexco, and www.youtube.com/dmexcovideo.
