"MEDIA LOVES TECH is the name and the idea behind this project that got underway in 2018. The goal is to bring together two worlds that are often too far apart: journalism and the startup community. Together with Al Khatt, a local project partner and non-governmental media organization, we wanted to
...
scout, promote, develop and test innovations for the media sector. That same year, a legal support framework for startups in Tunisia came into effect, structured around a label of merit and benefits for entrepreneurs, investors and startups. Just like MEDIA LOVES TECH, it aims to support development through bold entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas. Since its launch, the annual MEDIA LOVES TECH incubation program, financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supports eight to twelve startups. Implemented almost entirely online, and originally as a three-day mentor-supported hackathon, it has grown to become an incubation cycle that lasts three months. It promotes all phases of a startup — from the original idea to market entry.
It has been five years since the program was started and it is still going strong. This publication is an initial assessment. Does the belief that progress comes from promoting innovation hold true? Can promoting new media projects with viable business models succeed in an unstable economic or political environment? One needs to look at various aspects to find answers. It is often said that over 90 percent of startups go under in the first two years. Still, startups are often seen as a forerunner to economic development and as having a stimulating effect on the overall economy. Even if initiatives do flop, their traces can still be found in the ecosystem. When assessing the MEDIA LOVES TECH program, it is worth reflecting on what has been achieved and gaining insights for the future. Five projects are presented here. Our team has taken an in-depth look at the projects’ stories and progress and includes key performance indicators. Measuring impact in an unsteady startup environment can be a challenge, and our success stories address this. But as we at DW Akademie believe, “big changes start small,” and so do the startups presented here." (Foreword)
more
"The aim of this guidebook is to walk you through – step by step – how to best organize digital events from the concept phase to planning to going live. It includes processes to help you learn from your experiences and improve your future events. This manual will not only assist you in organizin
...
g online events that work towards your goals, but in creating digital experiences that attract the right audience and help you connect with them. Connections like these can develop even under difficult conditions like if your audience only has limited internet access, for example, or can only participate via a mobile phone. The guidebook offers a roadmap for success and is based on the practical experience that DW Akademie and its partner organizations have gained through staging online events during the pandemic. It is the sum of our insights gathered during this unusual period in world history. We hope this practical guide – and the case studies included – will provide you and your organization with the strategy and information needed for creating meaningful interaction with your audience through successful online events." (Introduction)
more