Konkurs UŁ EkSoc StartUP! 2024 rozstrzygnięty!

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EkSoc StartUP 2024! – the Competition Is Resolved!

The final gala of the 5th edition of the competition is behind us! The top prize of a record-breaking PLN 30,000 has been awarded to the authors of the "GigaHorns Sensing" project. Six distinctions (PLN 1,500 or PLN 2,000 each) have also been awarded in categories based on the adopted project evaluation criteria. In total, thanks to the support of the competition's sponsors, the prize pool presented in this edition amounted to PLN 40,500!

The top prize was won by the authors of the “GigaHorns Sensing” project. The team, consisting of a doctoral student and a physics student from the University of Lodz, developed a microwave sensor for 3D printers that detects defects invisible to the naked eye already at the printing stage. Verification of printing errors through the use of radio waves is an innovative solution and could find wide application. We are sure we will hear about you again! 

Congratulations to the winners, but also to all the finalists who showed great commitment at each stage of the competition. We keep our fingers crossed for the further development of your startup ideas! 

All winners of the 5th edition of the competition  

The main prize – PLN 30,000: 

The "GigaHorns Sensing" project – a microwave/radio sensor integrated into a 3D printer to detect defects in prints that are not visible to the eye 

authors: 

  • Maciej Ślot, University of Lodz, Physics, doctoral student, 4th year 
  • Maksymilian Bartosik, University of Lodz, Physics, 2nd year, BA studies 

 mentors: 

  • Sebastian Górecki, Łukasiewicz – Łódź Institute of Technology
  • Piotr Kałuża, ING Bank Śląski 

Distinction in the category "compatibility with the smart city concept" – PLN 2,000: 

The “SensoryCycle” project – an innovative, participatory approach to the design of public spaces 

authors: 

  • Oliwia Wierucka, University of Lodz, Spatial Management, 2nd year, MA Studies 
  • Mateusz Kozulski, University of Lodz, Investment and Real Estate, 2nd year, MA studies 

mentors: 

  • Adam Mikołajczyk, Best Place – European Place Marketing Institute 
  • Łukasz Kielan, The Prof. Jerzy Dietl Foundation for Promotion of Entrepreneurship 

Distinction in the category "response to social challenges" – PLN 2,000: 

The "Empathy" project – a platform that uses AI to quickly diagnose current mental and social health problems, enabling contact with appropriate specialists  

author: 

  • Julia Różańska, University of Lodz, Management, 3rd year, BA studies 

mentors: 

  • Agnieszka Belowska-Gosławska, Nordea 
  • Ewelina Barylska, Salve Medica, Hospital Director 

Distinction in the category "response to environmental and climate challenges" (the so-called EKO EKSOC* award) – PLN 2,000:

"The M Expiration" project – an application that enables customers to buy discounted food products with a short expiry date  

author: 

  • Marcin Pierzgalski, University of Lodz, Logistics in the Economy, 2nd year, MA studies

mentors: 

  •  Łukasz Klab, animalhotels.com 
  •  Anna Tumidajewicz, Infosys 

(*EKO EKSOC is an initiative by students and staff of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz to implement actions for environmental protection and climate change adaptation)

Distinction in the category "degree of advancement of the project" – PLN 1500: 

The "Evencik" project – an application promoting local cultural and entertainment events. Your personal guide to events in your immediate area. Currently, it operates in Wrocław.  

author: 

  • Igor Miśta, University of Lodz, Law, 4th year, Uniform Master's Studies / International Relations, 1st year, MA studies 

mentors: 

  • Przemysław Krawczyk, Show4 
  • Małgorzata Misiak, Marshal's Office of the Lodz Voivodeship 

Distinction in the category "uniqueness/innovation" – PLN 1,500: 

The "AliVa" project – a clothing designer who will save the planet and your boring wardrobe  

authors: 

  • Alina Ishchenko, University of Lodz, Marketing, 3rd year 
  • Valentyna Bardis, University of Lodz, Marketing, 3rd year 

 mentors: 

  • Piotr Grocholiński, Klientocentryczni 
  • Dominik Majewski, FlightLevel 

Distinction in the category "business potential of the project" – PLN 1500: 

The “EcoBuildTech” project – modular homes that grow with you 

authors: 

  • Natalia Jaworska, University of Lodz, Investment and Real Estate, 3rd year, full-time BA studies 
  • Dominika Jaworska, University of Lodz, Investment and Real Estate, 1st year, full-time BA studies  
     

mentors: 

  • Przemysław Nowakowski, ŁSSE 
  • Konrad Futera, AOMB Polska 

Justification of the Jury's selection of the winners: 

The 5th edition of the competition exceeded the expectations of the organisers and the Jury in terms of the diversity of the projects, the refinement of the presentations and the very energetic speeches of the winners during the final gala. This time the competition was held in the student-friendly space of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz. Thanks to this, the finalists managed their emotions perfectly when presenting their startup projects to the jury and the audience gathered in the Assembly Hall, as well cas numerous online viewers. 

The Jury's deliberations took almost an hour and were full of discussion and exchange of arguments. The omnipresent spirit of Adam Smith supervised their correctness, ultimately leading the Jury to a rational choice. 

"The record-breaking top prize of PLN 30000 was won by the authors of the “GigaHorns Sensing” project. They have developed a microwave/radio sensor, integrated into a 3D printer, allowing to detect defects in prints that are not visible to the eye. The solution proposed by the team received the highest number of points in all three basic criteria. The Jury also appreciated the innovation of the project, which one of the Jury members, representing the Łukasiewicz – Łódź Institute of Technology, helped to verify. To date, no one has attempted to verify defects via radio waves, with the potential for development in other industries by using similar technology with other types of sensors. The solution is also very advanced and at the same time secured through patent applications, which indeed indicates the team's great determination to commercialise and scale. 

The Jury recognised that the winning project simultaneously responds to environmental challenges. The project's authors expect to reduce plastic waste by improving the durability of 3D prints and releasing products without hidden defects. 

The Jury also awarded 6 distinctions (in each scored category), taking into account the specificity of each project. The choice was not easy, as the authors of all the business concepts were very clear in their presentations about their solutions, paying particular attention to these very criteria. This was exceptional this year and worth highlighting by the Jury. 

The jury offers congratulations to all the winners of the 5th edition of the EkSocStartUP! Follow your dreams, because whoever has dreams has everything! And your dreams of your own startup have just entered a dynamic growth path. We are keeping our fingers crossed for you and look forward to the implementation reports!" 

Summary of the 5th edition of the competition:

Thirty-six student startup ideas were submitted for the fifth edition of the competition. Twelve of them made it to the final, but in the end, the authors of 11 business ideas (four individual projects + seven two-person projects) competed for prizes at the final gala. In this edition, the group of finalists was dominated by students from various faculties of the University of Lodz, but we also had a representative from the Medical University of Lodz. 

The task of the competition was to send a short description of your business idea to the Organisers. However, in this edition, this description had to be divided into three parts (general description of the idea, project financing issues, competition analysis). The panel of experts that selected the final projects judged that this minor change contributed to a significant increase in the level of sophistication of the submitted projects – they were already more thoughtful at the outset. 

The final projects were evaluated by a Jury on 3 key criteria:

  1. Business potential of the project 
  2. Its uniqueness 
  3. Degree of advancement / refinement of concept. 

Additionally, this year the Jury awarded the projects that: 

  1. Respond to environmental and climate challenges; 
  2. Respond to societal challenges; 
  3. Are in line with the smart city concept. 

Many companies and experts were involved in the fifth edition of the competition. Just being in the final gives participants a great opportunity for development, an entrepreneurial school, know-how and many valuable contacts. 

The 6th edition of the competition is planned in two years' time – we already encourage students from the Lodz Voivodeship to think of the most innovative start-up idea! 

The finalists were selected from the submitted projects by an Expert Panel consisting of:

The Jury, which selected the winners of the 5th edition of the competition at the gala, included:

Mentors supporting the finalists of the 5th edition of the competition:

Training sessions with the finalists of the 5th edition were carried out by: 

Sponsors of the 5th edition of the competition:

Source: Katarzyna Skierniewska, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz

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