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Interview with Smart Country Startup Award winner SUMM AI
SUMM AI has won the Smart Country Startup Award 2023 in the “GovTech” category. Image: Messe Berlin
“German language - difficult language” is probably particularly true when it comes to texts from public authorities - from personal isolation systems to roadside greenery - especially texts from public authorities are characterized by incomprehensible words and nested sentences. The Munich-based startup SUMM AI uses AI to convert government texts into plain language, thereby promoting accessibility for local authorities and government agencies. At the last Smart Country Convention, the startup was presented with the Smart Country Startup Award in the GovTech category.
Easy language on the big stage
Vanessa Theel, CRO and co-founder of SUMM AI, on the moment of standing on the big Plaza Stage at the Smart Country Convention: “That was definitely a highlight for us and for me! It was one of the biggest stages I've ever pitched on and the feeling of walking from backstage to the stage was incredibly nerve-wracking. It was just mega to use this stage to present our AI solution in front of such a relevant audience. It was a great opportunity to bring our vision for the public sector to a broad and interested audience.”
From SCCON to the world
The win has given the startup a real boost - both in terms of visibility and confidence in the solution, says Vanessa: “After the pitch, we were approached by a number of interested parties who may not have had us on their radar before. Internally, the success really motivated us to continue working on our vision. We have been able to initiate some exciting partnerships in the months since and have noticed that our solution is becoming increasingly popular.”
“We hope that cities and authorities will become bolder”
From Hamburg to Würzburg - from Deutsche Bahn to Rehadat - AI technology is being used in more and more authorities and institutions to make texts easier to understand. Nevertheless, SUMM AI would like to see more courage from cities and authorities, especially when it comes to using new technologies or collaborating with start-ups, says Vanessa: “Digitalization offers so many opportunities to increase efficiency and offer citizens better services. This is the only way we can exploit the full potential of digitalization and create a modern, future-proof administration.”
SUMM AI at SCCON
This year, SUMM AI itself will be an exhibitor at SCCON - the team has invested the prize money from last year in a trade fair stand in order to get in touch with key players in the industry again this year. However, a visit to SUMM AI is not only worthwhile to get to know the start-up's AI technology, Vanessa promises: “We also have some great goodies.”
Vanessa's colleague and co-founder Flora Geske spoke in an earlier SCCON interview about how SUMM AI came up with the topic of “easy-to-understand government texts” and why easy-to-understand government texts do not automatically mean easy-to-understand language: With AI to comprehensible government texts - Smart Country Convention
Startups can still apply for the Smart Country Startup Award 2024 until September 16. All information and the application form: Application Form: Smart Country Startup Award 2024 | Bitkom e. V.
There is prize money of 5,000 euros and a free one-year membership of Get Started.
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