The Contest
Der Danube Cup ist ein wiederkehrender Pitching-Wettbewerb für Studierende der Universitäten entlang der Donau. Zwei ungarische Spitzenuniversitäten, die Corvinus Universität Budapest und die Budapester Universität für Technologie und Wirtschaft, haben den Wettbewerb 2016 ins Leben gerufen.

The Mission
Die Mission des Danube Cups ist es, Start-ups zu internationalem Erfolg zu verhelfen und gleichzeitig die motiviertesten Hochschul-Start-ups entlang der Donau zusammenzubringen. Die diesjährige Veranstaltung wird von der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz organisiert.

The Host
Verwurzelt in der regionalen Tradition, aber ausgestattet mit einer starken internationalen Perspektive, unterstützt und fördert die Johannes Kepler Universität Linz (JKU) hohe Qualitätsstandards in Forschung und Lehre mit dem Ziel, eine europäische Spitzenuniversität zu werden. In ihrer 50-jährigen Erfolgsgeschichte hat sich die JKU von einer sozial- und wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Hochschule zu einer der größten Bildungseinrichtungen Österreichs in der universitären Ausbildung und Forschung entwickelt.

The Place for Innovation & Contests
Das LIT Open Innovation Center (OIC), in dem dieses Jahr der Danube Cup stattfinden wird, wurde als offenes Forschungszentrum konzipiert, um Wissenschaft und Praxis zusammenzubringen und so eine Kreislaufwirtschaft und eine nachhaltige Polymerproduktion zu unterstützen. Das 2019 errichtete, moderne Gebäude ist ein Ort für Forschung und Entwicklung in den Bereichen Künstliche Intelligenz, Roboterintelligenz, IT-Sicherheit, Informationselektronik und Industrie 4.0.
Zusammen mit der LIT Factory ist das LIT OIC eine offene Plattform, um nicht nur die Potenziale der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung zu erforschen, sondern auch branchenübergreifende Lösungen zu schaffen und innovative Produkte herzustellen.

Johannes Kepler University Linz I Austria

Pflegezeit - PflegeZeit offers valuable support for those caring for relatives at home who have dementia. PflegeZeit not only provides tested exercises to support personal care, but also creates a sense of community and understanding through old, often forgotten, songs and cultural content. Personal care with PflegeZeit also makes physical care much easier, ultimately benefiting healthcare workers at nursing homes.

Surfjobs - SURFjobs stands for ‘See Your Future’ and is Austria's first mobile career guidance & job platform in which future apprentices and young professionals can learn more about their career opportunities by watching short, authentic videos and with the help of artificial intelligence. Ranging from career counseling and insight into companies and jobs to submitting a simple application to the company of choice in just two clicks, nothing can stand in the way of a successful start to a professional career.

Corvius University of Budapest I Hungary

Casar Fashion - Fast fashion trends and throwaway consumption are creating an environment in which consumers become easily bored with their clothes. Be it a the lack of uniqueness or emotional connection, they are quickly thrown out, resulting in being harmful to the environment and contributing to overconsumption.

uMix3D - On a global scale, customers return one in three clothing items purchased online mainly on account of being the wrong size or not being what they expected. uMix3D is a platform designed to address this problem by featuring a virtual fitting room that allows users to create personalized 3D avatars to model clothing items with millimetre precision. Customers can also create full outfits. Our solutions are also ideal for fashion brands and the fashion industry as they can not only reduce the rate of product returns, but also increase sales. Our internationally recognized specialists are also creating digital content for our clients, including a 3D marketing video or an AR filter. Our team is skilled and competent, and very determined to make uMix3D a success.

Budapest University of Technology and Economics I Hungary

BridgeAID - BridgeAID intends to bring about a breakthrough in transportation infrastructure maintenance by introducing the next generation of bridge monitoring systems to continuously measure and analyze bridge conditions and traffic. BridgeAID takes engineering and management decision-making to a new level, facilitating predictable and effective intervention.

stArt - Those looking to find spontaneous plans on a free night during the week might find it challenging to seek out the perfect event within a few minutes. At the same time, event organizers find it challening to get people to step out of their comfort zones and get new visitors and guest to their establishments. stArt addresses both of these issues by bringing the two groups together.

University of Belgrade I Serbia

Artemi - Artemi is a innovative mobile game combining thrilling digital gameplay with physical activity and real-world exploration, thereby promoting health and social interaction. Artemi's primary goal includes redefining the mobile gaming experience by creating an innovative game that combines engaging digital gameplay with physical activity (specifically walking) to support healthy exercising among its users. Our goal is to leverage gaming's universal appeal to encourage people to lead a more active lifestyle and transforming routine walks into captivating adventures and social experiences.

Movebly - Moveably is a student start-up stemming from a student company that introduces an innovative digital platform based on the auction principle, acting as an intermediary in brokering deals between carriers and clients. We streamline the process for carriers in finding jobs, while simultaneously providing clients with a faster and simpler way to discover cost-effective carriers, facilitating the transport of goods.

University of Passau I Germany

Luvia - Following the "Augsburger Modell" example, our business plan is organizing and constructing pigeon lofts. The current measures in place were meant to act as a deterrent (spikes, nets) but these approaches are not tackling the issue at its root cause: the need to breed! Pigeon lofts provide direct access to the eggs which can be swapped out and each swapped out egg is one less pigeon. Additional benefits include reduced costs compared to current measures in place, less pigeons in our cities, and cleaner streets and buildings.

Reviving Rugs - Reviving Rugs upcycles designer carpet samples to create premium handbags. Our innovative use of this type of distinctive material not only ensures superior quality but also embodies sustainability and individuality. Tailored to customers who have a passion for both design and environmental consciousness, our handbags stand as exquisite, artisanal accessories.

Regensburg University of Applied Sciences I Germany

FlowHerb - FlowHerb offers customers a unique experience, combining the pleasures of gifting, aesthetics and fine cuisine. Customers are able to buy beautiful flower bouquets for themselves or for others, but these flower bouquets are not only beautiful, they can later be used in a variety of different, brilliant recipes that taste great. Nothing goes to waste!

University of Regensburg I Germany

VoluLink - VoluLink is a social start-up designed to strengthen non-profit organizations by providing IT expertise from the corporate world. We are addressing the social challenge that many non-profit organizations need support in the area of digitalization, partly due to a lack of time and human resources, in order to increase their effectiveness and better reach target groups.

Pendura - Pendura is developing a platform that uses advanced blockchain technology and AI to enable automated and cost-effective sustainability reporting in global supply chains, thereby significantly improving information flow and data quality

Vienna University of Economics and Business I Austria

Zenyth Innovation - As consumption reaches new heights daily, we have to wonder just where does human waste end up. At Zenyth Innovations, we have followed sewage treatment processes from top to bottom and identified an array of wasted and landfilled resources waiting to make an impact. We are developing a software based solution to establish new markets, create new revenue streams for stakeholders and provide novel sustainable materials to clean up heavy industries. By rethinking the potential of sewage treatment, we are bringing the new standard of responsible circular economy resources to life.

Evidenta.io - Evidenta.io is a start-up company within the recruitment industry, committed to enhancing the hiring process by applying its innovative ecosystem approach. Evidenta’s mission centers are creating a trusted job market that values each individual's accomplishments and shifts the focus from company brands to the candidate's personal accomplishments. We apply four core features: a standardized CV builder to support effective resume presentation, a robust CV verification system to verify authenticity, an AI-powered recommendation engine for precise candidate-job matching, and a unique reward system to foster active engagement.

1st Place - Danube Cup Trophy, Cash award € 1000

2nd Place - Cash award € 600

3rd Place - Cash award € 400

Univ. Prof. Dr. Elisabeth S.C. Berger – JKU, head of the Institute for Entrepreneurship

Petra Muschitz, BA – JKU LIT Open Innovation Center Team – Teamlead, Operations and Event Management

Christoph Frei, BSc, MA – JKU LIT Open Innovation Center Team – Marketing and Communications

Safak Bilgic – JKU LIT Open Innovation Center Team – Entrepreneurship Management

Semifinals

Danzer Roman - Germany - OTH Regensburg

Thomas Steger - Germany - University of Regensburg

Maria Diekmann - Germany - University of Passau

Norbert Leskó - Hungary - Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Pal Danyi - Hungary - Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Mladen Čudanov - Serbia - University of Belgrade

Monique Schlömmer - Austria - Vienna University of Economics and Business

Katharina Kloibhofer - Austria - Grand Garage

Birgit  Wimmer - Austria - tech2b

Elisabeth  Berger - Austria - Johannes Kepler University

Finals 

Norbert Leskó - Hungary - Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Michael Wimmer - Austria - Upper Austrian Economic Chamber

Tamara Čolić Milosavljević - Serbia - University of Belgrade

Kathrin Obernhumer - Austria - Tabak Fabrik Linz

Mara Schneider - Germany - INN.KUBATOR Passau