{# Hero Section - Title and Tagline only #}
<section class="eir-hero-purple">
<div class="container text-center">
<h1 class="display-3 font-weight-bold text-white mb-3">Experts in Residence</h1>
<p class="lead text-white">World-class experts supporting our startups</p>
</div>
</section>
{# Expert Cards Section - Separate section with light purple #}
<section class="eir-experts-section">
<div class="container">
<div class="row justify-content-center">
{% if experts is empty %}
<div class="col-lg-8">
<div class="empty-state">
<i class="fas fa-user-tie fa-4x mb-3"></i>
<h3>Experts in Residence coming soon</h3>
<p>
We are working to recruit high-caliber experts for our program.<br>
More information will follow shortly.
</p>
</div>
</div>
{% else %}
{% for expert in experts %}
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
{% include '@StartPlatzMentors/Public/_expert-card.html.twig' with {'expert': expert, 'language': 'en'} %}
</div>
{% endfor %}
{% endif %}
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Program Overview #}
<section class="eir-overview py-5">
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-8 mx-auto">
<h2 class="text-center mb-4">About the Program</h2>
<p class="lead text-center mb-5">
The EiR Program's goal is to ensure continuous knowledge transfer by embedding experienced
AI experts directly into startup support, strengthening the regional ecosystem while
contributing to <strong>Europe catching up in the global AI competition</strong>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Distinction from Mentors #}
<section class="eir-distinction py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">Distinction from Mentors</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 border-primary">
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title text-primary">
<i class="fas fa-brain mr-2"></i>Expert-in-Residence (EiR)
</h4>
<p class="card-text">
Exclusively <strong>AI experts</strong> who provide deep expertise in generative AI,
data strategies, AI architectures, and AI-driven business models.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100">
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-users mr-2"></i>Mentors
</h4>
<p class="card-text">
Complementary experts covering <strong>general business and startup-related topics</strong>,
such as fundraising, marketing, sales, HR, or legal aspects.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="text-center text-muted mt-3">
This distinction ensures that startups receive both technological depth and broad entrepreneurial support.
</p>
</div>
</section>
{# Role of Experts #}
<section class="eir-role py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">Role of the Experts</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-10 mx-auto">
<div class="card-deck">
<div class="card mb-3">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-chalkboard-teacher text-primary mr-2"></i>
AI Mentoring & Coaching
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Individual guidance for startups over several months, focusing on technical
implementation, data strategy, and AI-driven scaling.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card mb-3">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-graduation-cap text-primary mr-2"></i>
Knowledge Transfer
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Delivery of hands-on workshops, lectures, and masterclasses on topics such as
generative AI, AI strategy, data ethics, or AI-based business models.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card-deck">
<div class="card mb-3">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-calendar-alt text-primary mr-2"></i>
Community Engagement
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Presence at public accelerator events (Demo Day, MidTerm Company Day,
AI Gatherings) and contribution to new formats.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card mb-3">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-network-wired text-primary mr-2"></i>
Network Access
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Opening doors to industry, academia, investors, and international partners.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-bullhorn text-primary mr-2"></i>
Ambassador Role
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Visibility as thought leaders of the Cologne and European AI ecosystem in media,
interviews, and publications.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Expectations #}
<section class="eir-expectations bg-light py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">Expectations for EiRs</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-10 mx-auto">
<p class="lead text-center mb-4">
EiRs are expected to actively engage both onsite and digitally:
</p>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
<div class="d-flex">
<i class="fas fa-lightbulb text-primary mr-3 mt-1"></i>
<div>
<h6>Show knowledge & expertise</h6>
<p class="text-muted">Actively share expertise, best practices, and experience.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
<div class="d-flex">
<i class="fas fa-eye text-primary mr-3 mt-1"></i>
<div>
<h6>Visibility in the accelerator</h6>
<p class="text-muted">Be present at key events and actively participate in exchange formats with startups.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
<div class="d-flex">
<i class="fas fa-map-marker-alt text-primary mr-3 mt-1"></i>
<div>
<h6>Onsite presence</h6>
<p class="text-muted">Personal interaction with startups during each batch to ensure effective knowledge transfer.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 mb-3">
<div class="d-flex">
<i class="fas fa-laptop text-primary mr-3 mt-1"></i>
<div>
<h6>Digital presence</h6>
<p class="text-muted">Visibility in the online ecosystem of the accelerator.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row mt-4">
<div class="col-12">
<div class="alert alert-info">
<h6 class="alert-heading">
<i class="fas fa-check-circle mr-2"></i>Specific Commitments:
</h6>
<ul class="mb-0">
<li><strong>Masterclass:</strong> At least one masterclass per batch on their area of expertise</li>
<li><strong>Ask Me Anything (AMA):</strong> Participation in 1–2 AMA sessions per batch</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Benefits #}
<section class="eir-benefits py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">Benefits for Experts-in-Residence</h2>
<p class="lead text-center mb-5">
Since no monetary compensation is offered, EiRs benefit from reputational,
ideational, and infrastructural incentives:
</p>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-sm">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="text-primary mb-3">
<i class="fas fa-trophy fa-2x"></i>
</div>
<h5 class="card-title">Reputation & Visibility</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Positioning as a leading voice in the regional and European AI ecosystem
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-sm">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="text-primary mb-3">
<i class="fas fa-pen-fancy fa-2x"></i>
</div>
<h5 class="card-title">Content & Thought Leadership</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Publication opportunities (case studies, whitepapers, interviews, media presence)
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-sm">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="text-primary mb-3">
<i class="fas fa-handshake fa-2x"></i>
</div>
<h5 class="card-title">Network</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Direct access to startups, investors, industry and academic partners
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-sm">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="text-primary mb-3">
<i class="fas fa-flag-eu fa-2x"></i>
</div>
<h5 class="card-title">Purpose & Mission</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Contributing to Europe's goal of achieving technological sovereignty in AI
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-sm">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="text-primary mb-3">
<i class="fas fa-microscope fa-2x"></i>
</div>
<h5 class="card-title">Learning Effects</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Practical insights from diverse AI use cases in the accelerator
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-sm">
<div class="card-body">
<div class="text-primary mb-3">
<i class="fas fa-building fa-2x"></i>
</div>
<h5 class="card-title">STARTPLATZ Infrastructure</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Full coworker rights: coworking space access, discounted meeting rooms, 24/7 building access
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-12">
<div class="alert alert-success">
<h6 class="alert-heading">
<i class="fas fa-graduation-cap mr-2"></i>Community & Learning
</h6>
<p class="mb-0">
Free access to all accelerator masterclasses and the digital community <strong>"KI Campus"</strong>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Program Structure #}
<section class="eir-structure bg-light py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">Program Structure</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-10 mx-auto">
<div class="row mb-4">
<div class="col-md-6">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-clock text-primary mr-2"></i>Duration
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
<strong>Three years</strong>, six batches of six months each
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title">
<i class="fas fa-calendar-check text-primary mr-2"></i>Commitment
</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Minimum of <strong>one batch (6 months)</strong>.
Ideally, experts remain engaged across all six batches for continuity.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h5 class="mb-3">Formats:</h5>
<div class="list-group">
<div class="list-group-item">
<h6 class="mb-1">EiR Mentorship</h6>
<p class="mb-0 text-muted">Long-term support for individual startups in AI topics</p>
</div>
<div class="list-group-item">
<h6 class="mb-1">EiR Impulses</h6>
<p class="mb-0 text-muted">Keynote or workshop contributions within the accelerator</p>
</div>
<div class="list-group-item">
<h6 class="mb-1">EiR Specials</h6>
<p class="mb-0 text-muted">Facilitation of expert panels, think tanks, or roundtables</p>
</div>
<div class="list-group-item">
<h6 class="mb-1">Digital Formats</h6>
<p class="mb-0 text-muted">Masterclasses and AMA sessions per batch</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="alert alert-info mt-4">
<strong>Integration into the program:</strong>
EiRs are integral parts of each batch (Kick-Off, MidTerm, Demo Day).
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# European Dimension #}
<section class="eir-european py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">
<i class="fas fa-flag-eu text-primary mr-2"></i>
European Dimension
</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-10 mx-auto">
<p class="lead text-center mb-4">
EiRs actively contribute to strengthening the European AI ecosystem:
</p>
<div class="card-deck">
<div class="card border-primary">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title text-primary">Catching up in global competition</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Their expertise flows into real startup projects that prove Europe can deliver
competitive AI innovation.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card border-primary">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title text-primary">Best Practices from Cologne for Europe</h5>
<p class="card-text">
Successful EiR contributions serve as blueprints for other hubs in Europe.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card border-primary">
<div class="card-body">
<h5 class="card-title text-primary">Networking with European partners</h5>
<p class="card-text">
EiRs benefit from connections with networks such as KI.NRW, KI Bundesverband,
Transatlantic AI eXchange, and AI Village.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Impact #}
<section class="eir-impact bg-light py-5">
<div class="container">
<h2 class="text-center mb-5">Impact</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-4 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow">
<div class="card-header bg-primary text-white">
<h5 class="mb-0">
<i class="fas fa-rocket mr-2"></i>For Startups
</h5>
</div>
<div class="card-body">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Practical support</li>
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Accelerated growth and scaling</li>
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Strengthened AI capabilities</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-4 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow">
<div class="card-header bg-primary text-white">
<h5 class="mb-0">
<i class="fas fa-user-tie mr-2"></i>For Experts
</h5>
</div>
<div class="card-body">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Reputation building</li>
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Access to innovation projects</li>
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Positioning as shapers of the European AI ecosystem</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-4 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow">
<div class="card-header bg-primary text-white">
<h5 class="mb-0">
<i class="fas fa-globe-europe mr-2"></i>For the Ecosystem
</h5>
</div>
<div class="card-body">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Sustainable competence building</li>
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Stronger visibility of Cologne as an AI hotspot</li>
<li><i class="fas fa-check text-success mr-2"></i>Contribution to Europe's competitiveness in AI</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Conclusion #}
<section class="eir-conclusion py-5 bg-primary text-white">
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-10 mx-auto text-center">
<h2 class="mb-4">A Flagship Initiative for the Future</h2>
<p class="lead">
The Expert-in-Residence Program is a <strong>flagship initiative</strong> of the STARTPLATZ AI Accelerator.
It offers a platform where experts share their knowledge, startups benefit directly, and the overall
ecosystem grows stronger.
</p>
<p>
By combining local anchoring, international networking, and European mission-building, it becomes a
powerful building block for the future of Cologne, NRW, and Europe.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
{# Call to Action #}
<section class="eir-cta py-5">
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-lg">
<div class="card-body text-center">
<i class="fas fa-rocket fa-3x text-primary mb-3"></i>
<h3 class="card-title">For Startups</h3>
<p class="card-text">
Benefit from the expertise of our Experts-in-Residence and
take your AI startup to the next level.
</p>
<a href="/en/accelerator/#application" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">
Apply Now
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100 shadow-lg">
<div class="card-body text-center">
<i class="fas fa-user-tie fa-3x text-primary mb-3"></i>
<h3 class="card-title">For Experts</h3>
<p class="card-text">
Become part of our program and help shape the future of
the European AI landscape.
</p>
<a href="mailto:accelerator@startplatz.de?subject=Interest%20in%20Expert-in-Residence%20Program"
class="btn btn-outline-primary btn-lg">
Get in Touch
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>