INTRODUCING: THE MOTIONLAB.BERLIN DATABANK
THE MOTIONLAB.BERLIN DATABANK—YOUR GATEWAY TO THE ECOSYSTEM
Finding the right manufacturer, supplier, or industry expert can be a challenge—especially when time is your most valuable resource. But what if, instead of searching endlessly or relying on word of mouth, you had a single place to connect with the right people? The MotionLab.Berlin Databank is exactly that: a digital directory that gives our members direct access to a powerful network within our ecosystem.
Finding the right manufacturer, supplier, or industry expert can be a challenge—especially when time is your most valuable resource. But what if, instead of searching endlessly or relying on word of mouth, you had a single place to connect with the right people? The MotionLab.Berlin Databank is exactly that: a digital directory that gives our members direct access to a powerful network within our ecosystem.
Building a deep tech hardware startup takes more than just an idea—it requires the right tools, expert knowledge, and a strong support network. At MotionLab.Berlin, every community member, including our team, holds valuable connections that can help others move their projects forward. But finding the right contact at the right time isn’t always easy. That’s why we created the Databank—to bring these connections together in one place and give our members something just as valuable as expertise: time.
BUILDING THE PILOT VERSION
“It’s a well-known fact that five minutes at our coffee machine can save you two weeks of work—simply by connecting with another member, founder, or engineer who has faced a similar challenge. Imagine how much time you could save by having it all in the Databank,” says Tayla Sheldrake, Managing Director of MotionLab.Ventures and project leader behind our new digital platform. “It bridges the gap in our ecosystem, turning chance encounters into direct connections and making collaboration easier than ever.”
Work on the pilot version of the Databank began in 2024, with a major milestone in July—a dedicated sprint week that brought the entire MotionLab.Berlin team together. The goal? To define everything the Databank should offer. With such a broad scope—covering technical resources for prototyping, product development, and strategic business insights—it was clear that building the first “prototype” required collective expertise.
“Everyone on the team brings expertise from different fields, so involving them was key to ensuring a well-rounded knowledge base,” said Tayla, reflecting on the sprint week.
USER TESTING: A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EFFORT
Once the initial frontend design of the Databank was finalized, we moved into the user testing phase—placing our community at the heart of the process.
“Bringing the MotionLab.Berlin community into the development of the Databank from the start was essential. Their insights didn’t just validate our ideas—they shaped them. Through user testing, members shared valuable feedback that helped refine the platform’s design and functionality,” says Melinda Varga, our Community Manager, who led this stage of the project.
“When you’re building something from scratch, every shortcut to trusted resources is a win. A curated network of manufacturers with discounted services is fantastic. As a founder, I see that the Databank will help me connect with experts on specific topics like finances or electronic design. These areas often relied on word of mouth, but now this streamlines the process—especially in the early days,” shared Phil Göttsching, Co-Founder of yamakoe, a startup in the current Hardtech Innovation Accelerator batch, who was part of the user testing group.
CELEBRATING THE DATABANK LAUNCH
Wednesday, February 5, 2024, marked the official launch of the Databank, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate. The event brought together over 50 community members for an action-packed day filled with energy and creativity. The program kicked off with a delicious brunch, setting the stage for what followed—a brief but exciting presentation on the Databank, an interactive workshop, a scavenger hunt, and a table tennis tournament.
Members also had the opportunity to get creative at a dedicated merch station, designing their own t-shirts and tote bags, and had professional headshots taken by an on-site photographer to make their Databank profiles shine. To top it off, the day ended with prizes and a special giveaway: a month of free membership, adding that extra bit of excitement.
COLLABORATION AT THE CORE
With the Databank now live and running, this collaborative digital directory unlocks the full potential of the MotionLab.Berlin ecosystem, bringing everything you need to drive innovation right to your fingertips. As a member, you now have access to:
- Startups
- Investors
- Ecosystem partners
- Suppliers and manufacturers
- Industry experts and mentors
- Professional service contacts
- Knowledge guides and resources
- Exclusive affiliate discounts on products and services
- Practical templates
But what truly sets the Databank apart is its core principle: collaboration. This platform isn’t just about accessing resources—it’s about creating them together. Every MotionLab.Berlin member can create their own profile, showcasing their expertise and the tech areas they work in, fostering more matchmaking and collaboration opportunities.
What’s more, the Databank is open for contributions. Members are invited to suggest valuable resources—whether it’s a knowledge guide, expert article, or how-to video—helping to enrich the platform and support ongoing knowledge exchange within the MotionLab.Berlin ecosystem.
A tool built by the community, for the community—that’s how we see it.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE DATABANK?
When asked about the Databank’s next steps, Tayla says, “In the coming months, we’ll focus on expanding the platform—adding more expert and company profiles, enriching knowledge guides, and growing our network of affiliate partners. To make this happen, we’ll drive initiatives that strengthen community engagement, ensuring the Databank becomes a key tool for collaboration, innovation, and growth.”
A big thank you to the MotionLab.Berlin community and our team for helping create a platform that empowers innovators to bring their projects to life for a greener future.
Want to explore the MotionLab.Berlin Databank? Get a sneak peek at what’s in store here, and register as a member to unlock full access to our diverse deep and hardtech ecosystem.
