The three winners of the competition "Lausitz Goes International", which was announced by the MinGenTec network ("Mining and Generation Technology") in the autumn, have been determined: the companies Drohnen Expertise System Solutions GmbH from Finsterwalde (1st place), pyropower GmbH from Cottbus (2nd place), and CESS Clean Energy Solutions GmbH from Berlin (3rd place) impressed the five-member jury with their concepts for tapping into foreign markets and will receive prize money totaling 30,000 euros. The awarded companies focused on markets such as Poland, Great Britain, France, the USA, and the United Arab Emirates.
The leadership teams of the mentioned companies were honored during the traditional MinGenTec network meeting at the end of the year at Kontor 47 in Cottbus. About 50 network members were present, including representatives from companies that also applied for the prize money, such as: ALGATEC Handels UG (limited liability) & Co. KG from Schwarzheide, Bautec Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Vermiet- & Service KG from Cottbus, G & B Automatisierungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG from Elsterwerda (automation technology), Institut für Neue Industriekultur – INIK GmbH from Cottbus (reuse of industrial wastelands and buildings), and SYNLIFT Industrial Products GmbH & Co. KG from Potsdam (water treatment).
"As one of the jury members, I found all the concepts very exciting to read. We discussed them intensively. The crowned winners now have some financial leeway with the prize money to delve deeper into market research and prepare for trade fair participation and more intensive networking abroad. The continued support of the MinGenTec project team is assured for them and the other applicants. They should pursue their plans with the same focus," says Jens Warnken, President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Cottbus.
"We are pleased with the impressive applications for this competition. The prize money provides the winners with a solid foundation to analyze strategically interesting markets intensively, seek consultations, or undertake travels. All with the goal of developing a strong business idea for internationalization. We at the MinGenTec network are happy to support these activities with all instruments of economic and labor promotion," says
Sebastian Saule, Managing Director of the Economic Development Brandenburg (WFBB).
Drohnen Expertise Solutions GmbH from Finsterwalde | 1st place | 15,000 euros
www.drohnenexpertise.deThe company specializes in the inspection of infrastructures such as bridges, power lines, wind farms, and other industrial facilities using advanced drones and offers services for mapping and creating three-dimensional models of areas and objects. In the agricultural sector, it also provides solutions for precision agriculture, such as monitoring plant stocks or analyzing the condition of plants and soils. Training and consulting services are also part of the portfolio. Entrepreneur Steffen Franzeck aims to tap into the Polish market for drone inspection services and has already conducted a market entry check, knows key data from the market analysis, and recently made initial contacts during a business trip to Karpacz and at the German-Polish-Czech cooperation exchange. The prize money will be used to strategically move forward with expansion planning.
pyropower GmbH from Cottbus | 2nd place | 10,000 euros
https://pyro-power.compyropower GmbH is a pioneer in sustainable energy generation through pyrolysis and subsequent power generation technologies. The Pyro-ClinX solution converts biomass into biochar, green electricity, and heat, with a negative CO2 balance. Managing directors Sebastian Kießling and Lucie Töpfer have presented a concept for a market entry strategy for their ClinX360 distribution model. The goal is a country-based analysis of key factors such as the availability of residual materials, energy prices, and other economic conditions to assess market potential. In the next phase, exclusive distributors will be selected and qualified. The company relies on local partners who not only take over the distribution of the technology but also provide a comprehensive service. The focus market is the United States of America - an extremely promising market for pyrolysis projects for the company. A pilot project for setting up a facility is already starting in early 2025, which is intended to pave the way for future business relationships. The prize money will be used for an inspection trip to assess the facility location - including surveying and technical planning, local networking, and marketing.
CESS Clean Energy System Solutions GmbH from Berlin | 3rd place | 5,000 euros
https://cess-group.comThe company based in Berlin is active in the Lausitz region and offers a wide range of comprehensive services in the field of energy and for the operation of integrated energy systems for decarbonization. This includes self-developed solutions for control centers to monitor and analyze the operation of energy networks. A model specifically for gas and electricity suppliers has also been developed with optimization tools for the integrated analysis of electricity and gas/hydrogen systems, which is now to be marketed internationally. The target market includes the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries in the Gulf region, particularly Qatar and Oman. A market entry check has already been conducted. The decision to enter this market is also based on discussions and experiences gained during a business trip to the UAE. Initial business contacts have been established. The prize money will be used by the company for presentations at trade fairs and for a trip to the target countries to intensify collaboration with the local chambers of commerce and to identify and establish local partnerships.
The prize money comes from the STARK project MinGenTec and is subject to de minimis regulations. The companies participating in the MinGenTec network benefit from comprehensive service offerings, including market entry and innovation checks for SMEs.
Photo Studio Thomas Goethe - Cottbus