WerksHub aims to contribute to increased efficiency and digitalization in skilled trade businesses. To this end, the software focuses on easy configurability and intelligent automation. “Our goal is to offer skilled trade businesses software that is ready to use right away and can still be customized. AI guides businesses through the initial setup with simple questions and creates a tailor-made configuration based on the answers. This allows us to avoid complicated building blocks and enable a quick start—even without prior IT knowledge”, explains Timon Stronczek, who, together with his fellow students Tamino Elgert, Jakob Köhn, Armin Schuster, and Justus Pfaue from the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Bonn, wants to found the start-up WerksHub. Tamino Elgert adds: “The modular structure of WerksHub enables craft businesses to use exactly the functions they really need – from time recording and material management to invoicing. Through the targeted use of artificial intelligence, we can also automate processes and relieve businesses of routine tasks.”
From university to start-up
What was initially intended to be just a digitalization of inventory quickly turned into a much larger project. “Through customer interviews with real craftsmen, we realized that our initial approach was just a drop in the ocean and only addressed one of many problems. We expanded our solution and are now working on a complete, smart operations management tool that can be expanded step by step and grows with the business”, reports Timon Stronczek.
In addition to financial support from Start-up Transfer.NRW, the students also have a professorial mentor from the University of Bonn at their side as they work toward founding their company. Prof. Dr. Michael Meier, Professor of IT Security at the Institute of Computer Science and member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) “Modelling”, is accompanying the project and emphasizes: “WerksHub uses innovative AI technologies in a meaningful and needs-oriented way. This funding commitment specifically accelerates product development, and I am very confident that the new software will soon be on the market.”
Support from Transfer Center enaCom
The start-up advisory service provided by the Transfer Center enaCom at University of Bonn also supports the team before, during, and after the application process. WerksHub has been using the University of Bonn's co-working space to work on the project in peace and quiet with the necessary equipment. “The software will make daily office work much easier for tradespeople by taking over routine tasks, suggesting more efficient processes, and providing a good overview of the entire business operation. With 153 million tradespeople in Europe, there is enormous market potential for this,” says Sandra Speer, head of the Transfer Center enaCom.
About the “Start-up Transfer.NRW” funding program
The EU, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are providing a total of €40 million for the “Start-up Transfer.NRW” program until 2027. Founders and start-up teams can receive funding for the further development of research results and know-how into products, services, and processes, as well as for preparing to start a business, for a period of up to 24 months.
