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Success story: NextStepHR – AI-powered recruiting with EXIST
How Lorenz and Finn turned a family business pain point into a data-driven recruiting platform – lessons from the KIT ecosystem.
What NextStepHR stands for
NextStepHR stands for data-driven recruiting with AI support. The platform automates the selection of suitable job portals, optimises job postings, and centralises application management – 100% GDPR-compliant and efficient.
The founding story
Lorenz developed the idea in his father's staffing company. He tested various tools and recognised the need for data-based recommendations for channel selection and job posting design. Finn (physics) met Lorenz at the PionierGarage at KIT. After Lorenz's startup experience from the GROW competition, Finn immediately got excited about NextStepHR and joined as co-founder.
Hurdles and support network
The first hurdle was validation: testing the idea with real pilot customers before investing in development. Bureaucracy – notary, trade register, authority registrations – also slowed the process. The founders received coaching at the KIT-Gründerschmiede, mentoring through PionierGarage, and benefited from accelerators including KI-Garage, AI-Rise, and ARISE (see the regional state accelerators overview for programmes with similar profiles). The Dieter Schwarz Foundation and CyberForum are now important partners.
The KIT ecosystem advantage
PionierGarage, KIT-Gründerschmiede, KI-Garage, AI-Rise, and ARISE give KIT founders access to a layered support structure that few other German universities match. If you're at KIT or nearby, engage this network actively – it dramatically reduces the time from idea to first pilot customer.
Key qualities and practical tips
NextStepHR's takeaways: openness to feedback, ability to handle criticism, and persistence are essential to overcome setbacks and keep the goal in sight. Use networking events and expert rounds. Seek advice from founding consultancies and experienced startups early. Read the EXIST Gründerstipendium guide for the structural decisions that most affect your odds. Today Lorenz and Finn would work in person together even earlier and focus more sharply on a core priority to avoid distractions.
Next milestones
GmbH formation planned for Q1 2025. Shared headquarters in Heilbronn with additional developer capacity. Platform feature expansion and international pilot projects. The parallel work on product development and customer projects with a small team was the defining organisational challenge – structured sprint planning resolved it.
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Written by
Julia Yukovich
Co-Founder + CEO
Julia is one of the Co-Founders. She handles design, development, product direction, and most of the support replies that arrive in the morning.
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