Over one week in September, 14 students in 4 teams successfully developed their ideas, created business models, and presented a project pitch. Once again, the Founders.Week has seen a creative and diverse set of ideas, ranging from a platform for application videos, learning programs for youth and children, and regional shopping to the purification of wastewater to improve the water supply in Africa.

Throughout the week, the teams participated in various workshops such as design thinking, business modeling, and pitching. A team of mentors and experts from Patentamt, LeitnerLeitner, Hasele und Nagele, Lunik 2, and many more, supported the teams by sharing their expertise and giving the students the opportunity to build up their network. 

At the closing event on Friday the 24^th of September in the LIT Open Innovation Center, the four teams pitched their concepts to a great jury consisting of Christopher Lindinger, Elisabeth Berger, Raphael Friedl and Elisabeth Ulbrich, who chose the projects "Desin-up" and "vicap" as the winners. The team from “Desin-up" developed a concept to clean wastewater using electrolyzed water, thus improving the water supply in Nigeria in particular. "vicap" intends to create a platform where short application videos can be used to connect job seekers with companies. 

We want to thank all participants, experts, and sponsors of the Founders. Week 2021 for an exciting and insightful week and look forward to seeing some of the projects come to life.