There is still room for improvement when it comes to start-ups in Germany – mainly due to cultural attitudes, a lower willingness to take risks, slower processes, and limited financing options. However, universities, funding programs, and start-up centers are actively promoting entrepreneurial activity across the country. The trend is leaning toward technology and platform-based start-ups, with sustainability, digitalization, and artificial intelligence also emerging as booming sectors. From May 26 to 30, 2025, LIGNA – the world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry – will respond to these developments with the second edition of LIGNA.FutureSquare and the Startup Area in Hall 12/A04. Start-ups from within the wood industry, as well as young companies from other sectors looking to develop products or services for the wood industry or establish initial contacts in this field, will have the opportunity to present themselves there.

“The Startup Area at LIGNA.FutureSquare reflects the industry’s desire to offer innovative young companies easy access to the wood industry and traditional mechanical engineering,” says Stephanie Wagner, LIGNA Project Manager at Deutsche Messe AG. “By participating in the Startup Area, they exhibit alongside VDMA member and partner companies – some of which are also attending LIGNA for the first time. This naturally facilitates initial networking opportunities.”

A total of 14 young companies – double the number from 2023 – will showcase their innovations for the wood industry in the Startup Area. The participating start-ups come from Germany, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands, and include: Artesa, BlastGate, COISS, deepl.ai, eco2grow, improvem, Jug Projektmanagement/Liniar Wood, ligenium, NextCNC, parastruct, STEXON, VisionX, Voodin.Blades, and Talen Robotics. Their new products, solutions, applications, and developments align with the key themes of LIGNA 2025: CONNECTIVITY, SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION, and ENGINEERED WOOD. Offerings range from software for process optimization and resource efficiency, to timber construction innovations, sustainability solutions for a circular economy, and tools for measuring CO₂ emissions. The start-ups will also present their ideas on the LIGNA.Stage – on Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Thursday from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

“If you want to shape the future, you have to create spaces where new ideas can grow. With the Startup Area at LIGNA.FutureSquare, we are doing exactly that – offering a dedicated space and connecting young companies with key decision-makers in the industry,” says Ger Gerdes, Senior Project Manager at the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association in Frankfurt am Main. “Start-ups bring dynamism and innovative strength, making a crucial contribution to the continued advancement of woodworking technology. Through the VDMA Startup-Machine, we are committed to further strengthening and actively expanding the exchange between young start-ups and established industrial companies,” adds Juliane Salten, Project Manager of the VDMA Startup-Machine.

About LIGNA.FutureSquare

The VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association and the VDMA Startup-Machine support start-ups, VDMA member companies, and partner initiatives in showcasing their innovations for the woodworking industry. The overarching goal of the Startup Area is to foster networking, increase visibility, and enable meaningful dialogue between innovative start-ups and the mechanical engineering sector at LIGNA. Solutions on display include software for process optimization, technologies for resource efficiency, timber construction innovations, and circular economy solutions.

About the VDMA Startup-Machine

The Startup-Machine is the central platform of the VDMA (German Mechanical and Plant Engineering Association) for fostering exchange between the mechanical engineering sector and start-ups. It connects, supports, and guides both sides – with the aim of advancing innovation together.