MCI Creativity Award 2014 for outstanding entrepreneurial ideas

Management Center Innsbruck rewards its students’ innovative ideas and concepts.

Together with the Center for Academic Spin-offs Tyrol (CAST), the Entrepreneurial School® organized the MCI Creativity Award 2014 to find the best business ideas produced by MCI students.

A total of sixty students entered the competition, including the first international exchange students to take advantage of the opportunity to present their ideas. With the support of CAST, the Federation of Tyrolean Industries and the Austrian daily “Die Presse”, attractive prizes worth a total of over 5,000 euros were awarded.

Professor Bernd Ebersberger, Director of R&D Services at the MCI, emphasized the relevance of innovation and entrepreneurship for the ability of an economy to compete. He went on to say, “Austria - and that definitely includes the Tyrol – can certainly be seen as a European hotspot for start-ups. With the MCI Creativity Award, the MCI and its partners are playing an active role in shaping the business start-up environment in the Tyrol. The award shows students enrolled in all MCI study programs that an innovative business start-up can be an attractive career option.”

Dr. Florian Becke, Executive Director of CAST, added: “The MCI Creativity Award gives students an opportunity to address key questions relating to the market potential of their ideas. And the expert jury also provides valuable feedback. Participation in the Creativity Award can be a first step towards setting up a company.”

Professor Andreas Altman, Rector of MCI Management Center Innsbruck, said: “As the Entrepreneurial School® we attract entrepreneurial people, mentor them and make them special. I am delighted with the excellent standard of the entries and grateful to the jury and our partners for their involvement. I should like to congratulate the prizewinners. It is incredible to see what diligent people and creative minds are capable of.”

The competition was targeted at MCI students in all study programs who wish to assume commercial and social responsibility with their business or product ideas. Entries were submitted by students enrolled in management and technological programs as well as social sciences. The five prizewinners were chosen by an expert jury in an exhaustive selection process.

The prizewinners and their ideas:

1st place: Michael Gerbl - The modern meter stick. This multifunctional device simplifies the typical measuring processes and provides d.i.y. fans with an easy way to measure distances and angles.

2nd place: Jianing Ye - The cleaning innovation. A new method to have smell-free clothes without a bulk system, aiming at efficiency and universality.

3rd place: Markus Bergmann - Scarfill. A repair kit designed specially for freeriders.

4th place: Dominik Strobl and Jonathan Dornfeld - Super Suitcase. Transformation of old suitcases into unique items.

5th place: Leo Guggenberger - ERP Farm. Modern and innovative solution for agriculture and forestry.

The MCI would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners and wish them every success in the implementation of their entrepreneurial ideas!

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