Your pitch for the CIHBw!

WHAT WE DO

The CIHBw is the change agent of the German armed forces: we connect the Bundeswehr and start-ups and develop innovative solutions for the troops. Together, we are working on a genuine culture of innovation for the troops.

Together with the Federal Ministry of Defense, we work to identify and understand critical technologies for national security. Our ambition is to solve current military challenges with innovative and modern dual-use technology within 12 to 24 months. As part of our user-centered design thinking approach, we identify challenges and use subliminal awards to award prototype contracts as quickly as possible.

Important notice: After the testing phase of a potential solution, we can only recommend its implantation to the Bundeswehr. The CIHBw does not carry out any procurement for the Bundeswehr.

OUR PROCESS

01

On our website, we show you subject areas for which we are looking for start-ups that meet the current challenges of the Bundeswehr.
02

You send us a short problem-solution pitch deck - you can find our requirements for this in the FAQs.
03

We will get back to you within 30 days if we are interested in planning a pitch.
Do you have a solution? Click here.

CURRENT FOCUS TOPICS

Software Definded Defence

Focus #1

SDD aims to effectively harness the potential of software to increase performance, particularly through AI. To achieve this, the individual platform-specific capabilities must be networked and integrated into a modular architecture with standardized interfaces. Based on agile software development and deployment processes, software-based capabilities can be quickly adapted to new, mission-induced requirements.
(c)UxS

Focus #2

Systems with unmanned mobile platforms are generally referred to as UxS. Depending on the type of deployment (land, air or water), they are divided into Unmanned Ground System (UGS), Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or Unmanned Maritime System (UMS). All solutions that deal with the use or defense (cUxS) of UxS and whose essence is defined by the software component are examined in breadth at CIHBw. Loitering Munition Systems (LMS) are currently not considered.

FAQs

As a change agent for the armed forces, we solve current military challenges - together with soldiers and the startup-ecosystem. To do this, we scout innovative ideas from the defense tech and dual-use ecosystem. As part of 12-month innovation projects, we work together on a solution in a team of soldiers, startups and CIHBw innovation managers. During this phase, you receive direct user feedback from the soldiers who test your solutions. At the end of an innovation project, we write a recommendation for or against the introduction of a new technology for the Bundeswehr based on the test results. The decision for or against the introduction (consolidation) of a potential solution then lies with the Bundeswehr.
Thanks to our unique governance structure, we have unparalleled access to the soldiers - the users of our innovations. As part of a collaboration, the CIHBw therefore offers you the opportunity to test your solution directly with users and validate the product-market fit of your solution under real conditions. In addition, we bring you together with relevant stakeholders and offer you all the knowledge from several years of dual-use innovation in the Bundeswehr. This not only gives you the opportunity to further develop your product, but also to make an important contribution to national and alliance defense.
If we are planning a pitch together with you, we will invite you to a virtual ideation session. There you will have the chance to pitch your solution, your use case and your startup to the CIHBw team for 10 minutes. Afterwards, the team will ask you some comprehension and discussion questions. After the appointment, the CIHBw team will discuss your pitch internally, evaluate it and check whether we can make a match between a use case from the team and your startup. You will then receive a feedback email.

It is important to note that we cannot and do not want to promise you any collaboration. The pitch gives you the opportunity to present your solution for the first time and receive initial feedback from the CIHBw experts.

If we consider collaboration, you will be informed about the next steps directly by an innovation manager.
Just like you, we have limited resources. To save you and us time, we would like to ask you to submit a maximum of 15 slides as PDFs.

The focus should be on the following topics:
- What problem are you solving for the soldiers?
- What is your (dual-use) use case for our focus topics?
- Why is your solution innovative?
- Why do you want to work with the CIHBw? What are your expectations of the collaboration?
- What stage are you in (investors, timeline, pricing, product demo)?
- What TRL does your solution have?
We promise to get back to you as soon as possible. If you have not received any feedback, it is because our collaboration criteria have not been met. The most important criterion is the match with our focus topics.
Please use the contact page to get in touch with us.

DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION FOR US?

Pitch your prototype and get feedback from the Bundeswehr.

Name of the startup*

E-mail address*

Problem-Solution Pitch Deck (SSD/(C)UXS) (Maximum 15 slides, file size no larger than 10 MB)*.

Your personal data transmitted to us will only be used and stored to process your request. We have a legitimate interest in processing your data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR in order to check and answer your request. The information under “Data protection” at the end of this website also applies.

Inspection rights

By using this form and uploading files, I grant BWI GmbH the right to carry out an initial usability check with the customer Bundeswehr on the content sent. In preparation for a possible pitch, BWI GmbH may forward the content to potential decision-makers and necessary participants of BWI GmbH and the customer Bundeswehr.

Third party rights & declaration of indemnity

Furthermore, I assure that the texts & files were produced by me or with the consent of a third party and that the exercise of the rights granted to BWI GmbH does not conflict with any rights of third parties (e.g. rights of use or personal rights). If third parties assert an infringement of their rights to the content against BWI GmbH, I indemnify BWI GmbH against all claims.

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Your pitch for the CIHBw!

WHAT WE DO

01

02

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Software Definded Defence

Focus #1

(c)UxS

Focus #2

DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION FOR US?