CONTENTshift accelerator 2023: Finalists chosen

The Börsenvereinsgruppe’s CONTENTshift accelerator fosters the development of innovative business models in the book industry. A total of 44 startups qualified for the accelerator this year. After a preliminary round and a pitch event in Frankfurt am Main, the CONTENTshift jury has now selected six companies from a total of ten to participate in the programme. The six startups from Germany, Austria and the UK will be given access to a high-ranking network of investors, experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts drawn from the book and media sector. They will also be given coaching sessions and take part in a co-creation workshop designed to test their business models, define current challenges and identify opportunities for cooperation. On 19 October at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the jury will select the final Startup of the Year, which will receive €10,000 in funding.

The following startups made it to the final round:

• Bookscreener (LeReTo) is an interactive, multidisciplinary research and reference tool that makes it easier to access a publisher’s entire inventory of specialist and reference books. Drawing on several interactive elements, the tool renders the entire process of seeking and finding specialist knowledge and information much more enjoyable. 
• GoLexic is an app designed to promote reading skills in children for use at home and in schools. The app makes it possible for children to work independently using 15-minute training sessions that allow them to hone various skills that can lead to improvements in reading and spelling.  
• Lit-X makes it possible to diagnose and forecast successful works of literature using literary data in a transparent manner. Among other things, it offers dashboards and applications such as “trend scouting” and “pricing”. This allows publishers to decipher in detail the trends driving the success of particular genres, to compare these drivers with one another and to calculate different likelihoods for success by modifying individual factors.
• SUMM AI refers to itself as “Google Translate for accessible language”. This AI-based tool automatically translates complicated text into the language style known in the field of accessibility in Germany as “Leichte Sprache”. It generates texts with short sentences, easier-to-understand words and additional explanations that are less complicated and more accessible to general readers. 
• to teach (thea) is an AI-based platform that makes it possible for educators to digitise analogue content at the touch of a button and apply this content effectively among target audiences. The platform allows teachers to create exercises, worksheets and other educational materials in the form of texts, audio and gamification.
• XigXag created an app that combines a listening and reading concept as well as a dedicated reading platform. Listeners can switch back and forth between listening and reading without having to pay twice. Users can also take advantage of features that allow them to take notes, share quotes, look up words and view illustrations. They also have opportunities to access a community of fellow listeners with whom they can share thoughts and ideas. 

Jury spokesperson Per Dalheimer from Hugendubel, an omni-channel book retailer, noted: “This year’s six finalists cover key, forward-looking fields within the book industry. Each one of them brings new impulses to the table, including the fostering of reading skills, greater accessibility and information processing. Their use of artificial intelligence as a kind of turbo booster helps to break down barriers and enable easier, lower-threshold access to books. We’re delighted about the incredible range of creative ideas made visible by the accelerator every year. Each one helps to drive our industry further”.

The accelerator is supported by companies drawn from the book and media sector, which send representatives to participate in the CONTENTshift jury. The members of this year’s body of experts are the following: Martina Fiddrich (Cornelsen Verlag), Nina Hugendubel and Per Dalheimer (omni-channel book retailer Hugendubel), Detlef Büttner and Leif Göritz (Lehmanns Media/Thalia Bookstores), Colin Hauer and Magia Ramm (Hörbuch Hamburg), Wolfgang Pichler (MANZ Verlag), Jasmin Ahluwalia and Philipp Neie (Schweitzer Fachinformationen), Stefanie Penck (TeNeues Verlag), Ronald Schild (MVB) and Lennart Schneider, an independent strategic advisor and external partner to the programme.

Visit our website for more information on the programme schedule: https://www.contentshift.de/accelerator/ablauf

Social Media:
Facebook: @Contentshift
Instagram: @Contenshift
LinkedIn: CONTENTshift 
Twitter: @ShiftingContent
Hashtag: #contentshift

About CONTENTshift

CONTENTshift is a Börsenvereinsgruppe initiative that focuses on new business models for the German-language book market. In addition to the accelerator, it also comprises regularly scheduled pitch events (“icebreakers”) and a newsletter. The initiative was launched as a means of supporting founders, connecting startups to the book industry and spreading the word industry-wide about new business models.

About the Börsenvereinsgruppe

The Börsenvereinsgruppe (Group of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association) represents the interests of Germany’s book industry and acts as the central service provider to its members. The Group consists of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers and Booksellers Association) and its business subsidiaries, which include the Frankfurter Buchmesse and MVB, the Mediacampus Frankfurt as well as the Holding Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels Beteiligungsgesellschaft. The Börsenvereinsgruppe provides a range of professional support services and educational offers for members of the book and media industry, including advocacy, cultural projects, tradeshow organisation, training programmes, publishing and technology services.