You dream. We create.
Next Big Thing AG (NBT) is Europe's premier startup incubator for the Internet of Things and Services (IoT/IoS) and Blockchain. As a company builder and operational VC, NBT acts at the nexus of a continually growing ecosystem of corporates, founders, technologists, entrepreneurs, investors and politicians.
With our know-how in IoT, we are the touchpoint for innovation in Europe - enabling companies to realize disruptive innovation with exceptional speed.
C-Level Team
Harald Zapp
CEO
Harald Zapp is a serial tech entrepreneur, business angel, and IoT innovator with 25 years of experience in IT and the telecommunications industry. In 2016, Harald launched the Berlin-based IoT company builder, Next Big Thing AG. He also founded leading IoT brand, relayr, and is a co-Founder of an early NBT venture, Weeve. Harald is also a member of the Bitkom board, promoting the IoT Hub Berlin in the context of the German Digital Hub Initiative.
Jasmin Skenderi
CTO
Sandra Panknin
COO
Martin Buhl
CIO
Smart Investment
With breakthrough concepts and resiliency, NBT and its high-tech startup portfolio have already achieved a valuation of over 60 million Euros. Successful startups include health tech venture AssistMe (formerly Assistr), which is developing a hardware-enabled care service, Weeve – a secure technology for IoT data attestation for future marketplaces – and METR, the IoT platform for a more efficient housing industry. With 4 ventures currently set to spin off, NBT is expanding its own deal flow with 10 more ventures in the pipeline.
Though inherent complexity of IoT and blockchain requires appropriate development time for future applications, these technological advances secure long-term earning opportunities across diverse and massive markets. Researchers Deloitte and Gartner estimate that IoT’s market potential alone will reach over 1 trillion US Dollars by 2020. Through their know-how and ecosystem in IoT and blockchain, NBT strategically leverages synergies, achieves results faster, and reduces risk with new, digital business models.
In contrast to traditional incubators and accelerator programs, NBT has its own core team of technology and business experts who are personally involved in the portfolio venture’s development throughout all growth phases. In as little as 3 to 6 months, a decision is made as to whether a minimum viable product is ready for the market. As an Operational VC, NBT acts as the first investor and capital broker. Because NBT itself invests in the portfolio companies, it’s encoded in NBT’s genes to mitigate any associated risks.
Be Involved!
NBT CORPORATE INNOVATION
Transform Your Business With Us!
NBT’s innovative Corporate IoT Program enables any size enterprise to transform business models through IoT, via strategic partnerships. By founding a joint venture with NBT, companies identify attractive use cases and launch projects in unison with experienced partners and technology distributors. Learn More
NBT Ventures
AssistMe
AssistMe creates a complete care infrastructure, primarily through intelligent incontinence solutions.
Evertrace
Evertrace drives cargo damage prevention in global supply chains
METR
METR builds modern IoT infrastructure, enabling connected use cases for the housing industry.
nrgen
nrgen is developing a smart agent to empower flexibility for optimized digital energy marketplaces.
Weeve
Weeve enables the commercial usage of IoT data through autonomous trading of trusted digital assets.
Sensry
Sensry provides customers flexible, fast and reliable industrial sensor modules for future IoT applications.
NBT CAREERS
Jump Right In
NBT and ventures are 60-people strong, and growing...We draw talent from 21 countries to blend the top skill sets for building innovative companies in IoT and blockchain. The international and egalitarian atmosphere embodies our values of supporting diversity and inclusion. Apply to join the team!
NBT in the Press
Harald's vision continues in Germany
relayr is one of the rare stories of a successful German tech startup. Founder Harald Zapp weighs in on the present environment for German tech firms, the competition faced abroad, and how he applies lessons via his current company builder, NBT.
Following Relayr, the founder starts new projects
After selling Relayr, Harald Zapp founded the company builder, Next Big Thing AG. Now he fosters the development of the next blockchain-based "Killer-Application - made in Germany." Keep your eye on METR and Weeve. (Full article in German.)
Munich Re buys relayr in a $300M deal
The group bought the startup in a deal set to benefit both parties. relayr helps industry players to unlock data insights across their production line. Munich Re counts on the acquisition to “implement our global strategy to develop new IoT solutions for [their] clients”.
FEBRUARY 2019
Anticipating Demographic Change: IoT in Healthcare
The fourth installment of our Framing the Industries series explores how the Internet of Things technologies and machine learning capabilities can fundamentally disrupt and innovate the healthcare sector – benefiting multiple levels, from operational to patient care.
MARCH 2019
How to Pitch an IoT Startup: Guide to Perfecting Your Skills
Get our new guide to perfecting your startup pitch here! You will find preparatory questions you can ask yourself, recommendations for best practices, and innovative checklists you can tick off.