Celebrating Innovation and Diversity: Henkel Xathon 2023 Crowns Filestage as AI Solution Champion
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Henkel dx Ventures, the corporate venture capital subsidiary of Henkel’s consumer goods conglomerate, recently convened its fifth annual Xathon event in the bustling city of Berlin. The Xathon stands as an exemplar of open innovation challenges, with a particular emphasis on empowering female entrepreneurs and startups led by women operating within the domain of artificial intelligence.
The current iteration of the Xathon marked a noteworthy milestone, with an unprecedented surge in applications. Over a hundred startups hailing from various corners of the globe vied for the coveted slots in the finals. Six distinguished finalists were chosen, their selection based upon the merits of their pitch decks and the potential they held to provide tangible solutions to the real-world predicaments facing Henkel.
Advancing Gender Diversity
On October 2023, the chosen finalists presented their solution proposals to a discerning jury, comprising experts drawn from Henkel’s ranks and its strategic partners. It was Filestage that emerged as the triumphant victor, clinching the title of Xathon victor for this edition. Filestage is an AI-driven platform adept at streamlining and expediting the internal approval processes within companies, particularly for various types of files, including documents, images, and videos.
Filestage, now stands to receive a substantial award in the form of a 25,000 euros implementation of a proof of concept within the Henkel ecosystem. In addition to Filestage, the other finalists were not left empty-handed. They were bestowed with a gamut of accolades, including invaluable mentorship from top-tier Henkel executives and access to the extensive resources provided by the conglomerate’s esteemed partners.
The Henkel Xathon is an instrumental initiative, one that carries profound significance in its mission to advance gender diversity within the burgeoning tech startup landscape. Perturbing statistics reveal that merely 20% of startups in Germany have women as their founders or co-founders. Globally, the AI sector is no exception, with only 22% of its professionals being women. By directing its focus toward the empowerment of female…
