Explore a selection of externally funded projects conducted by the Working Group “Digital Technologies in Business Administration”.

agrificial-intel – NEXT.IN.NRW (EFRE/JTF Program)

In this externally funded project, an AI-based feedback system for compliance in renewable energy is being developed together with a biomethane SME. The system automates manual and error-prone document review processes along the value chain. To achieve this, the project builds an integrated AI engine consisting of OCR, domain-specific language processing based on large language models and rule-based validation and rule management. Inputs such as PDF documents, photos and self-declarations are extracted, semantically interpreted and validated against defined compliance rules. The result is valid data as well as feedback and anomaly reports that reduce operational bottlenecks and lower the risk of market exclusion.

MOMO-C – Interreg VI A Germany-Netherlands

MOMO-C develops a mobile, modular and battery-supported charging solution for the electrified transport sector. The objective is to create a scalable prototype that can flexibly provide charging capacity wherever stationary infrastructure is unavailable, not economically viable or only temporarily required. The project integrates battery cells, battery packs, charging electronics, housing, control systems and interfaces into a functional demonstrator. Its practical viability will be validated, among other things, by charging an electric aircraft in the context of Münster/Osnabrück Airport and Twente Airport. At the same time, use cases, production concepts and market entry strategies are being developed for applications in aviation, logistics, the public sector, construction and disaster response.

AgTech Bridge – SmartAgriHubs (EU Horizon) 

AgTech Bridge develops a neutral matchmaking and knowledge transfer platform that connects AgTech startups with agricultural businesses. Startups and farmers can create profiles outlining their offerings, needs, and cooperation interests in order to find suitable partners for test farms, pilot projects, co-development, or customer relationships. The project establishes a user-centered onboarding process, an initially manually supported matchmaking service, and a dedicated platform subpage within the Seedhouse network. Together with Seedhouse Accelerator, the University of Münster, RegioStore, and Agracheck, the solution is tested with startups and agricultural businesses and translated into a best-practice guide for successful startup-farmer collaborations based on a RegioStore use case.

FR3N – Start-Up Transfer.NRW (EFRE/JTF Program)

FR3N develops a community platform that makes Web3 technologies easier to use for creators, organisations and communities. The solution combines familiar Web2 functionalities with decentralised technologies such as NFTs, smart contracts, token gating and digital assets. This enables users to independently manage and monetise digital content, memberships and access rights and integrate them into community structures. FR3N lowers technical entry barriers through an intuitive user interface, no-code functions and modular smart contract building blocks. The objective is to create a usable beta version that enables the development of independent digital communities and new value creation models.

EcoAgri – European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

EcoAgri develops a digital platform that connects agricultural and forestry businesses with regional companies. Farmers and foresters can record suitable land, measures, baseline conditions and planned ecological improvements. Companies gain access to regional climate and biodiversity projects, can finance suitable measures and receive structured data for sustainability reporting, CSRD requirements and internal impact communication. The project brings together requirements from agriculture, business and science, translates them into a platform solution and tests the approach with pilot farms in Ostwestfalen-Lippe.

Finokapi - EXIST Business Start-up Grant (BMWK)

In this EXIST project, conducted with start-ups, established companies and research partners, an AI-supported platform for SMEs is being developed to provide modular support for financial analysis and planning. To this end, the project develops a three-layer data architecture consisting of a Standardisation Layer, Industry Layer and Custom Layer, as well as functional modules for analysis, benchmarking, planning and consolidation. In addition, a modular pricing model and unit economics metrics are defined.