QRTrust Participates in start2grow Startup Competition
QRTrust, Germany's first QR code security platform from Dortmund, participates in the renowned start2grow startup competition. We are seeking project partnerships with municipalities, authorities and companies.
QRTrust Enters start2grow Competition
Great news: QRTrust is participating in the start2grow startup competition in Dortmund – one of Germany's most prestigious entrepreneurship competitions. As the first comprehensive QR code security platform with a German phishing database, we want to show that innovative cybersecurity solutions can come from the Ruhr region.
Developed by Sebastian Drabent (43), a software developer from Dortmund, QRTrust emerged from a simple realization: there was no technical solution against QR code phishing. No German phishing database. No platform that truly protects citizens, businesses and authorities.
What is start2grow?
start2grow is one of Germany's largest business plan competitions and is organized by Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund (Dortmund Economic Development). The competition supports founders with coaching, mentoring, networking and prize money to implement their business ideas.
For QRTrust, participation is an important milestone on the path to market readiness. We don't just want to win – we want to find partners who will join us in making Germany more secure.
Why QRTrust?
QR codes are everywhere: on parking meters, charging stations, official mail, restaurants. But while usage is exploding, an invisible threat is growing in the background: quishing – phishing via manipulated QR codes.
The problem: QR codes are not human-readable. You cannot see where a code leads before you scan it. Cybercriminals exploit exactly this property.
The QRTrust solution:
- Simple in browser: No app download needed – just open qrtrust.de and scan
- Working prototype: The system is already live and learns daily
- Made in Germany: German servers, GDPR-compliant
- Community-driven: Every scan makes the system smarter
Project Partnerships Wanted
As a participant in the start2grow competition, we are specifically seeking project partnerships – with municipalities, authorities and companies who want to revolutionize QR code security in Germany with us.
We are particularly interested in pilot projects in the following areas:
Municipalities & Authorities
Secure QR codes on official mail, parking meters and public spaces. Dortmund could become a pioneer.
Companies
Integration into existing security infrastructures, API access, white-label solutions
Educational Institutions
Education and training on quishing, security awareness training
Participation Welcome
The prototype is already live. Anyone can use QRTrust immediately – free and without registration. Simply open qrtrust.de in your browser and scan QR codes.
The special feature: The more people use QRTrust, the smarter the system becomes. Every scanned QR code, every reported phishing URL makes the database better. This is collective security.
A Wake-Up Call for the Cybersecurity Industry
With QRTrust, we also want to challenge the established cybersecurity providers. The big players have ignored QR codes. We show: Without a real technical solution, no QR code is safe.
Those who don't act will lose reputation – because the public will learn how vulnerable we all are. QRTrust starts in Germany, but our vision is Europe. We want to usher in a new era of secure QR scanning.
Interested in a Partnership?
Contact us if you want to become part of the QRTrust story as a municipality, authority or company.
Request Partnership Now