Top place, worth EUR6,000 in prize money, was won by PartikelART. The group led by handling directors Dr. Ronny Zwinkau and Roman Möhle from the Institute of Production Systems (IPS) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering has actually developed a mobile particle analysis system that evaluates the tidiness of production procedures. The start-up offers business digital solutions for keeping track of the contamination of important components and resources. The group’s pitch encouraged not only the professional jury however also TU capital, the venture capital seed fund of TU Dortmund University, which awarded PartikelART this year’s special prize.
The social style app Grwm. won 2nd location and EUR4,000 in cash prize. GRWM is the acronym for “Prepare yourself with me”, a popular social media pattern where material creators show their fans how they use their makeup or select their clothing. This is exactly where the app can be found in, which intends to create a seamless interface in between creators, brand names and shopping by linking outfits showed on social networks directly to where users can purchase them and by providing an individualized, AI-curated style feed. The start-up’s founders, Ben Richter, Niklas Toporysek and Tom Zulbeck, participated in CET start-up programs with their service concept. For its persuading principle, the group won 2nd place and the audience award worth EUR1,000.
The third prize, to the value of EUR3,000, went to the start-up Rivopump, which has actually developed a self-dependent water pump based upon a physical operating principle. The objective is to provide smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa a sustainable option for irrigating their fields, which are threatened by dry spell. Unlike diesel pumps, the Rivopump is driven by hydropower and built from recycled products. Anton Güntheke, a member of the Rivopump group, is currently studying for a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering at TU Dortmund University.
Other finalists were the start-ups PottPilz, Ziya and SemanticMap, which are developing sustainable building and construction materials in addition to AI services for business and market researchers.
Information and networking
The expert jury for the competitors consisted of the following members: Teacher Tessa Flatten (Teacher for Innovation Management and Vice President International Affairs, TU Dortmund University), Dr. Thomas Seidensticker (CSO, Simplyfined), Dr. Martin Oettmeier (Global Director R&D Technique, Innovation and Research & Predevelopment, Wilo Group), Hendrik Schabsky (CEO, ATLAS Security Shoes) and Dr. Hans Schulze Schwienhorst (Handling Director, Jaeger Gruppe, and member of the Financiers’ Advisory Board, TU capital). Dr. Thomas Seidensticker, who belonged to the winning group in the previous year, motivated all the start-ups in presence to resolve difficulties with passion and perseverance. In a keynote speech, Hendrik Schabsky reported on modernization in a household service and advised how young business can create sustainable structures for long-lasting growth.
Together with discussions and the pitch competition, the event in addition provided various opportunities to obtain additional details on how to release a start-up and to network: Throughout the evening, 20 other start-ups had the ability to introduce themselves and go over with guests. Companies and financiers were also shown on a type of noticeboard called the “Partner Wall”. With possible partnership in mind, QR codes assisted the individuals to get in touch with each other.