Hessian universities send start-up ideas into the race

36 start-up ideas enter the race. The competition, under the patronage of Angela Dorn, Hessen's Minister for Science and the Arts, supports start-ups from Hessen's universities. Once a year, it offers all Hessian universities the opportunity to nominate up to three of their best start-up ideas and send them into the state-wide race for first place. All state universities and three private, state-recognized universities have responded to this call. Out of a total of 40 nominations, 36 start-up ideas submitted their applications for the competition. In line with the different focal points of the Hessian universities, a wide range of topics is represented in the ideas. In addition to software solutions and technical innovations, sustainability plays a major role in many ideas - from materials to production processes. Teams from the University of Kassel are competing with sustainable tiles, a proposal for agroforestry systems and a stress-reducing nursing chair.

Public online voting until 23.09.2020

All participating start-up ideas will be presented on the competition website with immediate effect. In an online vote at www.hessen-ideen.de/wettbewerb/ideen, everyone can cast their vote for their favorite(s) until Sept. 23, 2020. The three ideas with the most votes will move directly into the final. In parallel, a review process will take place to decide on the ten other finalists. In the final, a jury decides on the placings and determines the three prize winners. The three best ideas will receive prize money totaling over 10,000 euros. In addition, all finalists receive non-material support in the form of exclusive networking events and a financial contribution for trade fair visits.

Digital award ceremony

The announcement of the award winners will take place on 18.11.2020 for the first time as part of a digital award ceremony. The award ceremony can be followed via livestream on the Hessen Ideen website from 6 p.m. onwards. In order to do justice to the central element of Hessen Ideen - the networking of ideas with the regional startup and business scene - even in times of crisis, there will also be a digital networking event for the participants as well as partners from business, politics and academia.

Competition part of the startup promotion of Hessian universities

The competition has been held since 2016 and has become an integral part of start-up support at Hessen's universities. The Hessen Ideen initiative, which includes a scholarship program in addition to the competition, motivates and promotes entrepreneurial ideas and increases the visibility of Hessen as a location for innovation. The universities' start-up support departments work hand in hand and have joined forces to form a network in order to be able to offer start-ups the widest possible range of support services.

To vote: www.hessen-ideen.de/wettbewerb/ideen

Contact:

Ann-Sophie Bleise
Science Park Kassel GmbH
Tel.: +49 561 95379 607
E-mail: bleise[at]sciencepark-kassel[dot]de