HEIONTEC at the startuphub.SH Internationalization Workshop in Kiel

How can a startup strategically and realistically tap into international markets with limited resources? This was precisely the question addressed by the workshop “Where Is It Worth Going? Strategic Market Research for Startups,” hosted by startuphub.SH in Kiel, in which HEIONTEC also participated.

Together with speakers Pierre Blanquett and Alexander Bruehl, we worked closely with four other startups on topics such as market prioritization, competitive analysis, go-to-market strategies, and international visibility. The focus was primarily on practical questions arising from the day-to-day operations of a startup: Which markets actually offer potential? How do you efficiently validate opportunities? And how can you take meaningful first steps internationally despite limited resources?

The open exchange among participating companies about real challenges in internationalization—from a lack of market data to cultural differences in sales, and the selection of suitable international trade shows and partner networks—was particularly valuable.

One thought from the workshop really stuck with me: “Rapid market validation beats a large market. Always.”

For deep-tech companies like HEIONTEC in particular, an early international perspective plays a crucial role. Many potential applications for self-powered sensor systems and industrial energy-harvesting solutions emerge in global markets and international industrial environments. This makes it all the more important to systematically evaluate target markets early on and to strategically build up suitable partnerships and application areas.

We would like to thank startuphub.SH, Pierre Blanquett, and Alexander Bruehl for the exciting workshop, as well as all participating startups for the open and practical discussions.