Students, get ready!
The 5th edition of the EkSoc StartUP! Competition, which is a form of supporting students and doctoral students in creating innovative business ventures is about to start. We support innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. If you have an innovative business idea, are thinking about setting up a start-up or a company, but you need practical know-how and financial support, then this competition is for you!
Addressees of the competition
The competition is addressed to students and doctoral students of all universities in the Lodz Voivodeship (of any level, mode, study programme). You can submit your business idea yourself or as a leader of a group of up to 5 people.
The competition task and what's new in the 5th edition of the competition?
The competition task consists in sending a description of your business idea to the Organisers. In the 5th edition, the description must be divided into three parts:
- a possibly accurate description of the start-up/business idea (maximum 700 words),
- expected revenue streams, expected key start-up expenses, expected ongoing costs (maximum 700 words),
- a description of similar solutions in Poland and around the world and an indication of what makes your project stand out from them (maximum 700 words)
Based on the project descriptions, the Expert Panel will select the finalists. Among other things, the business potential of the project, its uniqueness and the degree of advancement or refinement of the concept will be assessed.
Moreover, in the 5th edition we will reward projects that:
- respond to environmental and climate challenges;
- respond to social challenges;
- are consistent with the smart city concept;
- however, we are also open to projects from other areas, as long as they are innovative!
Due to the creative nature of the competition, experts will ultimately be guided by their subjective feelings about the projects.
The competition schedule
- Submitting applications: 1-18 February 2024
- Selection of 10 finalists by the panel of experts: 26 February 2024
- Workshops and training for the finalists: March – May 2024
- Development of detailed business concepts and projects by the finalists in the form of prototypes, exhibits, visualisations, posters and presentations with individual support from the mentors: March – May 2024
- Project presentations and selection of winners from among the competition finalists during the final gala: 25 May 2024
Application form
[The link to the application form in MS FORMS will appear on the competition website on 1 February 2024.]
Competition regulation – the 5th edition
Final gala of the competition and the awards
Authors of 10 best ideas enter the finals, and just entering the group of finalists brings huge benefits for people thinking about running their own businesses: about 4 months of individual mentoring support from business practitioners, a package of practical business training courses, know-how as well as contacts that will pay off in the future.
The competition for the main cash prize (in the previous edition it was PLN 25,000!) will take place during the Final Gala, scheduled for 25 May 2024. During the gala, the finalists will present their business concepts refined under the supervision of specialists in front of the jury and the audience. The main prize will go to the most innovative business/start-up idea which, in the opinion of the Jury, meets real needs and has the potential for commercialisation. During the final gala of the competition, the jury may decide to present additional financial awards (in addition to the main prize) (e.g. in the 4th edition, 4 such awards were given for a total amount of PLN 9,500). There is much to fight for!
The competition organisers
The competitions organisers include the Faculty of Economics and Sociology at the University of Lodz, the Faculty Business Council as well as business partners
See also:
Information added by: mgr Katarzyna Skierniewska