Ideas ahead!

For the first time, prizes will be awarded in two categories - one for the best business idea in general and one in the area of social entrepreneurship. The business idea competition follows a two-stage selection process: After all applicants have submitted their idea papers, an expert jury has selected the best ten business ideas or business teams from both categories. They will present their ideas once again to the audience and the jury in a so-called live pitch on 1 July. Afterwards, the judges will award a cash prize to the best or most promising business idea in each category - 1,000 euros for first place in the category "General Business Ideas" and 500 euros plus a "Regional Impact Prize" for first place in the category "Social Entrepreneurship". This year's prize sponsors, in addition to the University Society of Erfurt, are "bm|t Beteiligungsmanagement Thüringen GmbH" and BORN Senf & Feinkost GmbH.

"Participating in our business idea competition is worthwhile in any case," say Jana Theuerkauf and Martin Hellmann from the University's Founders Service. "Not only because the participants get the opportunity to train their presentation skills and take advantage of free consultations, but also because the Founders service can offer additional one-stop expertise for the further development of the business idea through its network partners and also offers the winners a small amount of start-up funding as well as additional visibility."

This year, students of the University of Applied Sciences and the University of Erfurt, graduates and employees of the university were once again able to apply. The ten best applications will now enter the race for victory on 1 July. In the category "General business ideas", these are:

• „Feels like Erfurt“ – Stadt-Eventboxen
• „FemaleFernweh“ – Travel blog for women travelling alone
• „Friends“ – Rent a Friend
• „Magic Mensa“ – Connects.
• „PantaRhei“ – SME consulting through empirical data analysis
• „WiCom“ – Agency for strengthening research communication

And in the category "Social Entrepreneurship" compete:

• „Attora“ – Beleaf in change – Indoor Smartfarming
• „Connect for Kids“ – Networking of schools and clubs
• „Hearter e.V.“ – sustainable Meet & Greet
• „Rentnerranch“ – Senior living on the farm

In addition to the pitches, you can listen to a key note by Stefan Werner, Managing Director of "Der Paritätische Thüringen e.V.". Poetry slammer Andreas in der Au, better known as "AIDA", and graphic designer Stefan Kowalczyk from "Greatmade" will also be there to give impulses. Denny Waldner from the band "Shotgun Valium" will provide the background music.

The digital event is technically supervised by the communication agency WortwerkWeimar - moderated by Christian Stadali.