For the final pitch of the second start-up idea competition "start up your idea" of the Gateway Excellence Start-up Center (ESC) and the WiSo Faculty, five start-up teams again competed with their ideas
The start-up team detechgene (Dr. Reza Esmaillie, Janine Krauss, Sebastian Bargfrede) won first place and 5,000 euros in prize money. The scientists and students at the University of Cologne are developing a rapid test procedure that can detect all kinds of viruses and can be carried out without much effort and, above all, without laboratories. A procedure that can be of great use in times of the Corona pandemic. "This is a product that we all need," said Prof. Dr. Christian Schwens, jury member and scientific director of the Gateway ESC, explaining the decision of the six-member jury.
Team feelfood won twice on the evening: they took second place (3,000 euros) with a functional meal concept consisting of freeze-dried lunch menus. They also secured the sympathy of the audience with the audience prize, which was awarded for the first time.
Third place (2,000 euros) went to the online platform of the context-learn team. There, teachers can have personalised teaching materials created automatically.
In order to comply with all Corona measures, the start-up idea competition was broadcast as a livestream this year. In 5-minute video pitches (short presentation of the business idea), the finalists presented their ideas live from their flats. Presenter Laura Koliska guided the 230 viewers through the evening with live broadcasts.
While the jury was consulting on its decision, digital networking rooms were available for the audience to exchange ideas. There they could get to know the teams personally, talk to the Gateway start-up coaches about their own start-up ideas or ask Gateway alumnus Wolfgang Uerlich (CEO of goFLUX Mobility GmbH) questions.
Creative coach Nicole Hoefer-Wirwas inspired the audience with a lecture on creative techniques to courageously tackle their own ideas.
The evening ended with a sofa concert by the band "the Rehats" and one or two teams got together in the live chat at the end.