Greifswald, 28.06.2024 – Greifswald once again demonstrates its wealth of ideas, with 27 submitted sketches, the UNIQUE idea competition sets a new record. The jury, composed of representatives from business, politics, and science, was particularly impressed by the diversity of ideas: from cultural offerings in rural areas and residual material utilization of coffee to the highly innovative plasma printing process. The best ideas were awarded yesterday at St. Spiritus.
The UNIQUE idea competition, which is announced annually by WITENO GmbH in cooperation with the University of Greifswald and regional research institutes, aims to transform outstanding ideas and projects into practical business strategies.
In the category of students and trainees, the idea “Brave Buddy” by Paula Straub won, who is committed to strengthening children and preventing bullying already in pre-school and primary school age.
Among the researchers/graduates and externals, Laura Barillas-Mora and Adrián Lopez-Vasquez from INP convinced the jury with “MicroQuasar Technologies” and their innovative plasma printing process. The team is able to coat materials very thinly. The process is therefore used, for example, in microelectronics.
Dr. Gudrun Mernitz, head of the start-up consultancy at WITENO GmbH, is thrilled: “The competition not only shows an impressive variety of topics, but also in the teams. Many international researchers have participated, and the proportion of women was almost 60%, significantly above the average of 39% according to the KFW start-up monitor. Studies show that diverse start-up teams are more successful. So we are on the right track to support the long-term success of start-ups in the region together.”
Dr. Stefan Seiberling, head of the ZFF at the University of Greifswald, agrees and is proud: “The fact that there were so many ideas this year is no coincidence, but the result of efficient interaction. The years of building up the start-up ecosystem in the region is bearing fruit. The university cooperates with WITENO for the benefit of the idea carriers and through the charismatic start-up shipyard, students are inspired by students for start-ups. In addition, we were able to win researchers through targeted addressing for the exploitation of their excellent research results.”
The winners can look forward to not only substantial prize money. They also receive advice and active support from proven start-up experts in the further development of their ideas and, ideally, in the founding of a company.
The following teams won this year:
Students/Trainees
1st place – €2,500: Brave Buddy – Paula Straub Self-assertion training for children aged 5-12
2nd place – €1,000: Mollie – the mobile changing table – Laura Gromodka
3rd place – €750: popublique.com – Anna B. with Karin Maria Haslauer Platform for the publication of lyrical texts
Researchers/Graduates/Externals
1st place – €2,500: MicroQuasar Technologies – Dr. Laura Barillas-Mora & Adrián Lopez Vasquez Innovative and extremely precise plasma printing process
2nd place – €1,000: CARING. Released with care – Fanny Schumacher-Schönert Discharge, transfer and aftercare management for clinics, practices and patients
3rd place – €750: LyoThroReg – Dr. Konstanze Aurich, Dr. Janosch Schoon & Dr. Kerstin Wendland Lyophilized human platelet lysate from platelet concentrates for cell biological research and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues
Special and material prizes:
• Audience award – €500:
Gesund Bouldern – Elisa Rosenkranz A preventive offer to promote mental health
• FilmVision special prize worth €10,000:
Florian Simke – Amber Assets Scientific certification and distribution of amber
• Inter Medien Networks special prize worth €5,000:
Florian Simke – Amber Assets
• Cosun Beet Company Sustainability Prize – €1,400:
EcoBrew – Dr. Siva Sankar Murthy Bandaru & Bruno Wilke Complete utilization of coffee grounds
