Ökosystem NRW: Wo die KI für den Mittelstand entsteht

In Nordrhein-Westfalen, particularly in the Rhineland, a new ecosystem for AI applications in the medium-sized business sector is emerging, created by Hidesk, a Cologne-based AI startup. Hidesk's phone AI handles around 40% of the average 573 monthly inquiries, which saves the thin management team about one to two work hours per day.

This AI-driven booking system for appointments is unique to the region. Marius Rosenberg, an investor and project leader at Scale-up NRW, explains that NRW's polycentric structure, with cities and universities scattered throughout, provides the ideal environment for such development. NRW has many active AI startups, with 89 in Cologne, 34 in Düsseldorf, and 29 in Aachen, generating significant funding.

Industrial applications, robotics, and what's known as Physical AI - AI integrated into machines and production processes - are other key development areas. Hidesk, with its automated appointment system, is a testament to how a startup can grow with relatively little capital, without needing a high valuation. This success story highlights the potential for specialized, economically successful medium-sized companies to emerge in NRW.

To foster a stronger AI ecosystem in the region, Rosenberg emphasizes the need for better cross-regional exchange and the creation of visible "lighthouses" that can attract capital from other areas, such as Berlin and Munich.