"3, 2, 1 - GO!" resounds across the campus of the HFT Stuttgart. The exclamation of the audience is also the starting signal for the startup teams, each of which has three minutes to convince the expert jury of their plans with initial market figures, pilot projects and websites. An exciting competition with a fireworks display of promising and innovative projects.
The jury was particularly impressed by the "5 percent" business idea, whose solution helps to increase the rate of energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings. A topic that could hardly be more topical and relevant in view of the climate and energy crisis.
Most promising ideas fail because potential founders do not even begin to implement them. That is why the HFT's own start-up center PLAN G offers the STARTPLAN format. Here, researchers and students receive practical start-up assistance for their ideas. In a nutshell, the promise is: "In eight weeks to a startup." This semester, a number of teams have once again embarked on the joint journey. At the grand finale, the HFT STARTUP NIGHT, interested parties were able to get an idea of the innovative startup ideas.
From a solution forbuilding material sharing, to the possibility of visualizing construction projects with VR glasses and game engines(VisuAR) or a solution for the repurposing of buildings through Air Mobility(LevelUP), to aesthetic and sustainable household items, matching the individual living concept(aestha), mainly topics from the construction and building industry were represented, each with a focus on the topic of sustainability and climate responsibility.
In addition, solutions for renting wedding outfits(Vermietz!) and dealing with stress during studies(Clearmind) were presented. Lukas Stoll, Samuel Trefz and Cedrik Venier want to make it easier for young adults to find friends who share the same interests. Here, the exchange via group chats is made possible and the needs of the so-called Generation Z for spontaneity, individuality and fun in finding new friends are covered. The three students from the master's program "Digital Processes and Technologies" have already registered more than 100 users. This convinced the audience: After an applause vote, the audience prize went to the allnewfaces team.
The jury prize was presented by HFT Rector Prof. Dr. Katja Rade to the "5 percent" team. The researchers Sarina Hötzel and Sally Köhler help local authorities to increase the rate of energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings by automatically generating energy checklists to show homeowners comprehensible refurbishment options tailored to their building and "make building refurbishment easy". In doing so, they draw on data from the "SIM City" platform developed in HFT research. Both winning teams can look forward to a membership in Campus Founders.
Rector Katja Rade was full of enthusiasm about the teams' presentations. In her welcoming speech, she had still addressed the students and audience with a flaming appeal. "We must awaken the desire for innovation in our society! This is the only way to solve the immense challenges of our time."
Following the pitch event, the big open-air party started in the inner courtyard of the HFT Stuttgart. People talked shop about the solutions, made new contacts and celebrated until late into the night.
