Special AI prize by hessian.AI at the Hesse Ideas Competition
The most innovative startup ideas from universities in Hesse are competing in the Hesse Ideas Competition: Public online voting has begun. Until August 13, interested individuals can vote for their favorites among the 30 nominated startup ideas from universities in Hesse. This marks the eleventh time that Hesse Ideas has sought out the state’s best startup ideas. New this year are a special AI prize offered in collaboration with hessian.AI, as well as increased prize money for the winning teams.
Fourteen universities in Hesse have nominated a total of 30 startup ideas for the statewide competition. During the public online voting, the teams will present their projects and campaign for votes. The three teams with the most votes will qualify directly for the finals. At the same time, a panel of experts will evaluate all submissions and select an additional ten teams to advance to the finals.Anyone interested can vote for their favorites through August 13: https://hessen-ideen.de/wettbewerb/ideen/voting.
First-Ever Special AI Prize by hessian.AI
A key new development is the partnership between Hesse Ideas and hessian.AI, the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence. For the first time, a special AI prize worth 5,000 euros will be awarded as part of the competition. Through this collaboration, Hesse Ideas and hessian.AI are strengthening networking within Hesse’s startup and innovation ecosystem and providing additional impetus for AI-based spin-offs from universities. The collaboration with hessian.AI complements Hesse Ideas’s strong partner network, which includes Futury, EXIST, Hessenmetall, and StartHub Hessen, among others.
Higher Prize Money for the Best Startup Ideas
The competition’s prize money has also been increased this year. A total of 22,500 euros will be awarded to the three best startup ideas. First place comes with a prize of 10,000 euros, second place with 7,500 euros, and third place with 5,000 euros. With this move, Hesse Ideas is sending another strong signal in support of innovative university startups.
Finals and Awards Ceremony
Up to 13 finalist teams will present their startup ideas to a jury, which will decide on the assignment of the prize money as well as the special AI prize. The awards ceremony will take place on September 24 in Frankfurt. The winners will be honored by Timon Gremmels, Minister at the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art, and Culture, and patron of Hessen Ideen. Anyone interested can already register for the awards ceremony.
About Hesse Ideas (Hessen Ideen)
The Hessen Ideen Competition is aimed at university members and alumni from Hessian universities who are interested in starting a business and whose ideas are still in the early stages of development. The goal of the Hesse Ideas Competition is to strengthen the startup culture at Hessian universities in the long term.
Hesse Ideas is the central state initiative for promoting startup ideas from universities in Hesse. Under the patronage of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art, and Culture, Hesse Ideas connects startup support programs at universities and guides those interested in starting a business on their journey from idea to company. The initiative is coordinated by UniKasselTransfer at the University of Kassel in cooperation with HIGHEST at the Technical University of Darmstadt.
Learn more: https://hessen-ideen.de/
