Kniit: From Exist-Startup Grant to Official Start-up Launch
October 7, 2025
published by hei_INNOVATION
Congratulations to Kniit! The startup, which maintains a close connection to Heidelberg University, was officially founded in mid-August. The young company targets energy providers, IT service providers, and consulting firms facing transformation projects in the energy sector. To optimally support these processes, the startup has developed a SaaS platform that does not replace knowledge, but organizes it, making it discoverable and usable.
The company’s goal is to offer this tailored, scalable solution in a way that enables companies of all sizes in the energy sector to manage knowledge efficiently while addressing the challenges of workforce shortages and demographic change. Kniit positions itself as an interactive knowledge hub for the industry, creating a flexible knowledge ecosystem that helps companies remain competitive and well-informed in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Since March 2025, the team has been supported by the EXIST Startup Grant, successfully acquired with the support of hei_INNOVATION. The funded team includes Alexander Wilbrandt, who develops the AI component of the platform; Caroline Zook, an expert in data modeling; and Björn Bulkens, M.Sc. in Computer and Data Science from Heidelberg University, responsible for infrastructure and the platform. The team is further complemented by Jan Schinnerling and Henrik Ostermann, who contribute their extensive experience in the energy sector and consulting to advance the project.
In parallel with the company’s founding, Kniit has established a strategic partnership with cerebricks GmbH, a consulting firm in the energy industry. This collaboration provides access to valuable contacts, industry knowledge, and practical experience, supporting the startup in further developing its solution. An initial test version of the platform is already being deployed with a pilot customer and continuously refined based on their feedback.
The EXIST Startup Grant supports students, graduates, and researchers in preparing technology-oriented or knowledge-based business ventures. The program is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
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