Czech startups shine on the international stage in Poland! In a competition of more than 120 projects from 19 countries, they managed to win first and third place in the prestigious CEE Startup Voucher 2024 competition.
The saying “there’s as much as saffron” in the sense of a precious commodity may soon become a thing of the past. The team of the Brno-based startup Spicy Cells, consisting of Matej Zámečník, Šarlota Kaňuková and Eliška Ulmanová, decided to find a way to make the world’s most expensive spice an affordable raw material for everyone. By using a biotechnological process in which they will cultivate only the specific plant cells that make up the spice, they want to significantly speed up its production, eliminating the need for large growing areas and demanding manual harvesting. This method will preserve the high quality of the crop but significantly reduce its price. For this idea, the plant biotechnologists won first prize and a prize of EUR 20 000.
“When we first came across the CEE Startup Voucher competition, we didn’t even think to apply. However, after some consideration, we decided to give it a try. Thanks to our innovative approach to making the culinary experiences and health benefits of “red gold” accessible to all, we won! A big thank you to the CEE Startup Network team, the jury and the Made in Wroclaw organizers for this incredible opportunity and especially for the trust they put in us. This will help us on our way to making saffron the new vanilla – just wait and see,” summarized the winner Matej Zamecnik.
Second place and €10,000 went to the Dino digital tool from Paperbox Health, an Italian company that detects learning disabilities in children as young as five. Its interactive tool, in the form of a video game, helps to identify possible problems in a fun way and recommend further steps to parents and professionals.
The third place went to YoungLink, a startup from Písek that helps to make children feel safer in schools. It collects data through an app and analyses it using sociometric methods. This allows schools and parents to monitor the dynamics of relationships between pupils and detect risky behaviour such as bullying early. The authors of the project have received €5,000 to further develop the project.
The final of the competition with the announcement of the best innovative projects was organised by members of the CEE Startup Network at the end of October as part of the unique Made in Wroclaw event, focused on innovation, inspiration and breakthrough technologies. The competition, which this year had a strong representation of projects from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, attracted the attention of experts, media and other conference participants, whose number reached two thousand.
Opportunities for start-up entrepreneurs
But financial awards are not the only form of support that winning projects receive in the competition. Participation also gives them the opportunity to present themselves to international investors and experts, gain valuable contacts, feedback and access to tailored services.
“The CEE Startup Voucher is a symbol of cooperation and support for initiatives that were created based on the needs of entrepreneurs themselves. The programme brings together organisations from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia with a clear mission: to support innovation and growth of emerging startups. But the competition is not just about financial support, it also reflects our commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of the region,” said Adéla Píchová, Head of the Startup Acceleration Team at the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre (MSIC).
The CEE Startup Voucher competition was established three years ago on the initiative of MSIC in cooperation with the Žilina INOVIA Centre. This platform connects the third largest cities from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia with the aim of creating a well-functioning startup ecosystem outside the main innovation hubs in the CEE region and strengthening the position of smaller regional startups on the European scene.
About CEE Startup Network
CEE Startup Network is a platform that connects innovation hubs, startups and other key players across Central and Eastern Europe to strengthen their visibility, competitiveness and growth in the European market. It was created to support the development of innovative projects and to help startups gain the necessary resources, expert guidance and access to investors. The CEE Startup Voucher competition is one of its main programmes.
Prizes:
- Startup Voucher 2024: Spicy Cells
- Startup Voucher 2024: Dino by Paperbox
- Startup Voucher 2024: YoungLink
Startup Voucher 2024 finalists:
Dino by Paperbox (IT) – this digital tool helps to identify early the risk of specific learning disabilities in children and facilitate their resolution. It takes the form of a video game that combines fun activities and gamification elements.
Dreamer Yachts (PL) – the startup focuses on innovative and sustainable technologies in the yachting industry. They specialize in developing boats using technology that combines natural materials with high performance and reduces the ecological footprint.
Exoheal (DE) – an innovative project focusing on the rehabilitation of patients with paralysis in their hands, for example after a stroke. It uses a robotic exoskeleton in conjunction with neuroscience principles to aid faster recovery through the concepts of neuroplasticity and mirror learning.
IoMobility Solutions (SK) – developing advanced data-driven solutions for urban mobility. It combines IoT technologies, smart infrastructure and a digital integration platform. It helps cities to efficiently manage traffic and optimize traffic flows.
LOKI s.r.l. – Laboratory Of Key Innovations (IT) – helps to improve the safety and efficiency of road infrastructure using AI and advanced technologies. Their key project, Asfalto Sicuro, can detect defects on roads and provide data for more efficient maintenance.
SPARKLD (CZ) – their technology finds application in the B2B segment. They use publicly available data to help companies identify ideal business opportunities through AI and expand into new markets by suggesting suitable potential partners and clients.
Spicy Cells (CZ) – offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional saffron cultivation. Using biotechnological methods, one of the world’s most expensive spices could become a raw material available to the general public.
YoungLink (CZ) – has figured out how to improve relationships and climate in school classrooms. Their app allows schools and parents to monitor the dynamics of relationships between students and detect any risky behaviour early.
Source.
Media Contact:
Barbora Svobodová
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E-mail: barbora.svobodova@ms-ic.cz
