Media Lab Bayern: The ideas and networking hub for the media industry

Since 2015, Media Lab Bayern has been promoting and supporting media professionals in finding and implementing innovative ideas. Around 25 team members at our Munich and Ansbach locations develop targeted support programmes for the industry on a regular basis. In addition to providing a wide-ranging network, we also offer our expertise and spaces for innovation. 

“In times of transformation, we provide practical support to journalists, young talent, media companies, and start-ups in the media sector to help them overcome their challenges,” says Annette Kümmel, Director of Media Lab Bayern. “Multidisciplinary approaches give rise to new ideas, teams, prototypes and business models that advance our industry.”

The focus of all our offerings is Bavaria. The lab also has a network throughout Germany and implements cross-state and cross-European projects in cooperation with numerous partners, e.g. joint funding programmes, publications or events.

The successful cultivation of innovation and entrepreneurship in the media sector

For example, Media Lab Bayern is a highly successful platform that supports start-ups, and has now helped over 100 founders, including the well-known media start-ups Articly and So Done, on their way. Media Lab Director Annette Kümmel says, “We are in very close contact with the industry and therefore have a good understanding of its needs. This is one of the reasons why around a quarter of the start-ups we support find investors, and around 40 per cent cover their operating costs through their own sales.” 

But it’s not just founders who can find support here. Media Lab Bayern also offers support programmes for innovators from media companies and freelance journalists. These programmes result in concrete products and concepts that address the industry’s current challenges, such as fake news and monetisation. Annette Kümmel says, “We provide the space, infrastructure, and expertise to allow new ideas to emerge. At the same time, we always strive to turn these ideas into reality.”

Extensive exchange, coaching and creative methods are the keys to success

Various tried-and-tested approaches are used to accomplish this, such as design thinking and lean development. To promote and develop media innovation ideas from conception to market launch, the Media Lab Bayern team applies these approaches after thoroughly analysing the needs of various teams. This enables programme participants to meet their goals.

Another important part of the Media Lab’s work is organising numerous events, meet-ups and creative workshop sessions. These bring together former and current funding candidates, as well as interested media professionals and executives from media companies, all of whom value the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to meet innovative people and discuss current industry issues. This is another way in which initial sketches and ideas for a better media world are developed.

Thanks to its collaborative approach, the Media Lab has built strong relationships with numerous media and business experts in Bavaria. These experts are frequently invited to mentor teams participating in the Lab’s programmes and oversee their activities. “We always want to be very close to the industry. This allows us to understand its needs and further expand our network, as well as supporting the teams we sponsor in winning customers, implementing test projects and putting concepts into concrete solutions”, says Kümmel.

Media Lab Bayern will continue to promote innovation in the future, whether through its funding programmes, partnerships or events. This initiative, which is supported by the Bavarian State Chancellery and the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM), is led by Medien.Bayern GmbH. Together, they successfully prepare media professionals for the challenges of everyday life year after year and ensure the future of the media.

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