The CONTENTshift accelerator is looking for the best business models being used by startups in the book and media industry today. The international programme organised by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association Group gathers investors, founders and industry experts to discuss new ideas and work together to develop them even further. Founders are given the opportunity to have their business models validated while also gaining contacts to a network of high-ranking decision makers. In turn, established industry players benefit from direct exchange with innovative startups and curated access to fresh ideas. As of today, startups from all over the world have until 15 May 2019 to apply.
“Since its inception in 2016, CONTENTshift has demonstrated that our industry is at the forefront of cutting-edge tech developments and trends. The business models that have taken home first prize in the past several years have focused on artificial intelligence, chatbots, collaboration and the connection between the digital and analogue world. Now in its fourth year, the accelerator continues to function as a stage and springboard for promising startups in the content industries”, notes Detlef Büttner, board member at the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, managing director of Lehmanns Media GmbH and jury member for the CONTENTshift accelerator.
Industry players who participate financially in the accelerator receive in return a spot on the jury as well as direct contact to the startups. Among the high-ranking companies supporting the programme this year are the bookstores Hugendubel and Thalia, the Ravensburger Gruppe and Karger Publishers. Thanks to the assistance of professional advisors, the Börsenvereinsgruppe guarantees that participating companies will be able to draw from a pool of qualified startups. A number of other European media associations also support the accelerator.
This year’s programme for the five final startup-candidates will begin on 1 July 2019. In the course of the competition, each startup will receive comprehensive coaching and advice from industry experts. The CONTENTshift jury is made up of representatives of the sponsoring companies and the Börsenvereinsgruppe. The core of the competition is a two-day joint workshop for the jury and startups in early September. The final pitches will then be given at the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair in October. The book fair will also act as the venue for the award ceremony held on 17 October 2019, at which the “Content Startup of the Year” will be named and receive €10,000 in funding.
