In the dynamic world of start-ups, there are stories that are particularly inspiring. One such success story is that of in|stead, an innovative company from Jena that specializes in sustainable water-repellent surface coatings. in|stead’s journey led through Thuringia’s accelerator TRIP, a successful participation in the get started 2gether competition and reached a significant climax at the Investor Days Thuringia (IDT) 2024, when the startup won two prestigious awards.
The vision of in|stead
in|stead stands for the development of sustainable and high-performance surface coatings that do not require the use of toxic chemicals or plastics. Natural materials often do not have the required technical properties. With its process, a targeted modification that can be used for natural materials and is sustainable, non-toxic and biodegradable, in|stead is changing this. This innovation is not only ecological, but also technologically groundbreaking. in|stead’s technology is patented, which gives the young company a promising future.
Sustainability without compromise
The water-repellent coatings currently available on the market are either based on toxic chemicals such as PFAS, plastics that release microplastics, or waxes that are natural but not stable and breathable enough for versatile applications. in|stead offers a sustainable alternative that avoids all these disadvantages.
“With our technology, we can achieve good performance without toxic chemicals or synthetics. Our coatings are not only biodegradable, but can also be used universally on textiles, paper, wood or ceramics,” explains Dr. Patrick Bräutigam, CEO.
Successful qualification for Thuringian funding projects
in|stead is a spin-off of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, which underlines its deep roots in scientific research and innovation. The three founders of the start-up have pooled their expertise and commitment to develop a technology that can revolutionize the world of surface coatings. With their groundbreaking invention, they offer a sustainable solution that makes both ecological and economic sense.
This innovation, which is worthy of support, has also been well received in the Thuringian funding landscape. For example, in|stead successfully qualified for TRIP Class 23/24 and was accelerated there with nine other start-ups through workshops, budget, coaching and networking. The start-ups presented their development to the community on Demo Day. The most scalable innovations were then accepted into the final TRIP class, including in|stead. This was followed by further content to help the startups move towards investment readiness.
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The start-up was also successful on two levels in the get started 2gether 2024 competition. By receiving the funding and winning the audience award, in|stead can further develop the process development and process scaling for masking marking filaments in the textile industry.
Triumph at the Investor Days Thuringia
Participation in the Investor Days Thuringia 2024 was a milestone for in|stead. This annual event brings start-ups and scale-ups together with investors to drive innovation and open up new business opportunities.
A total of 20 startups from Thuringia, Germany and around the world qualified as pitchers for #IDT24. In addition to the spotlight on stage, the startups could expect VC matchings, know-how impulses, pitch awards and, of course, numerous networking opportunities with regional, national and international stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem, startups, scale-ups, investors, SMEs and industry. in|stead won two of the pitch awards. The investor jury and the audience were convinced – this is THE BEAT OF INNOVATION! Christiane Kilian, Chairwoman of the Foundation for Technology, Innovation and Research Thuringia (STIFT), and Kevin Reeder, CEO of bm-t beteiligungsmanagement thüringen gmbh, presented the cash prize on behalf of the IDT organizers. The audience award was sponsored by APROPRO Haarbeck Projektmanagement.
The pitch awards won show once again the immense potential and the high level of recognition that in|stead already enjoys.
Successful qualification for Thuringian funding projects
With its patented technology and the universal applicability of its coatings, in|stead is ideally equipped to gain a foothold in various industries and offer sustainable alternatives to currently available products. The success story of in|stead is an outstanding example of how innovative ideas and consistent research can work together to shape a sustainable future.
“Our goal is to create a sustainable future where high-performance coatings can be used without a guilty conscience. We are proud to be on this path and look forward to the next steps of our journey,” says the founding team of in|stead.
With their commitment and innovation, in|stead is well on its way to revolutionizing the world of water-repellent coatings and making a significant contribution to a more sustainable future.
Do you also see your innovation on stage at the Investor Days Thuringia? Would you like to take your startup to the next level and write a success story too?
Then be part of TRIP and apply now! You will benefit from expertise, workshops, budget and networking with investors, SMEs, innovators and corporates. Together, we will accelerate your innovation towards investment readiness.
