STEP USA University Pitch Night

In collaboration with the German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., we are proud to welcome a startup cohort from Germany to our Startup Entrepreneurship Program (STEP USA) in New York to a 3-day strategy development boot-camp supporting promising German startups and their expansion to the US.

During our famous STEP USA Pitch Night, the cohort will present their ideas to potential customers and partners. A jury consisting of Venture Capital Investors will be providing direct feedback.

The companies:

Delvo is building the first AI-native Procurement Intelligence Agent to transform how companies prepare and execute supplier negotiations. Founded by a team of former consultants from McKinsey, PwC, and Drozac, Delvo automates everything from spend and contract analysis to supplier profiles and negotiation preparation. The tool delivers instant insights by combining internal procurement data with external benchmarks and cost drivers—enabling smarter, faster, and more effective sourcing decisions.

XEMX From architecture to aerospace, from clean energy to semiconductors: Innovation starts with better materials. xemx offers tailored material development: 1. Material Screening: Finding materials with a data-driven screening that integrates sample preparation and characterization in a streamlined workflow. 2. Accelerated Material Prototyping: Providing material prototypes because validation must take place under application conditions. xemx creates coatings of almost any possible alloy both on flat and structured substrates.

NEW ERA FOOD is offering a clean-label meat alternative that combines a superfood mushroom and the usage of an enzyme-based deep-tech process to deliver a nutritious, delicious product with a meat-like texture for gastronomy, retail, and conscious consumers.

Mentara is an AI enablement system for individual skill and competency development while unlocking x enterprise-wide alignment. We help large organizations translate leadership priorities into structured coaching, training and simulations ensuring employees develop key competencies while staying aligned with company goals. Our solution empowers enterprises to drive consistent performance, alignment, and growth across all levels.

OSORA is developing a predictive analytics solution for orthopedics and trauma surgery that aggregates and analyzes clinical data and visualizes it for decision support. The system uses AI-powered digital twins to provide physicians with a prognosis of bone healing behavior. This enables the identification of high-risk patients for complications at an early stage and provides them with patient-specific treatment plans. Simulation technology can also be used to optimize load control in follow-up care, enabling patients to mobilize quickly. The use of data throughout the entire patient journey enables virtual and risk-free treatment planning and training of
medical staff.

PALPRINT revolutionizes industrial logistics by offering a sustainable solution through generative design software for packaging combined with adapted 3D printing technology from partners, enabling machinery and equipment businesses to automate the creation of custom, multiple-use packaging from recycled materials directly onsite, thereby reducing costs, enhancing supply chain resilience, and ensuring compliance with environmental and legal standards. As a core component of PALPRINT’s system-as-a-service model, the software enables seamless automation, scalability, and continuous optimization, ensuring a fully digital and data-driven approach to sustainable packaging production.

PlasmaGrainInnovation leverages advanced physical technologies to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. Our focus is on the safe and low-loss storage of bulk goods such as grains using modern plasma systems. These scientifically grounded methods effectively eliminate pathogens and pests — without leaving any residues. Physics instead of chemistry is our guiding principle for a sustainable and future-oriented agricultural sector. With our innovative solutions, we actively contribute to the transformation of food production.