Danube Cup

The Danube Cup, one of the most important university start-up competitions in the Danube region, took place in April 2021. In addition to Corvinus University Budapest and Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), the University of Vienna, Johannes Kepler University Linz, the University of Belgrade, the University of Passau and Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg also took part. Two student start-up teams from each university took part.

A total of twelve teams qualified for the semi-finals via the preliminary rounds. These included the teams KurkuMama and Pionize from the University of Passau as well as Storientation and Mentalead from OTH Regensburg. Two of these teams ultimately made it through to the final round of the competition: Pionize and Mentalead - The Path to Mental Wellbeing.

The Pionize team developed a software solution that makes it much easier to get started with a smart home system. The aim is to enable users with no prior technical knowledge to create a customised smart home configuration. A centralised app replaces time-consuming research and allows convenient control of all components. With this business idea, Pionize achieved 6th place in the overall competition.

Mentalead presented an app that uses artificial intelligence to provide guidance on scientifically based self-help activities in the field of mental health. The offer is complemented by low-threshold access to personal counselling and regional pastoral and crisis services. The concept is considered unique in Europe and impressed both the jury and the audience: Mentalead won the audience award and also took 3rd place in the jury ranking.

The overall winner of the Danube Cup 2021 was the start-up Perun from the University of Belgrade. With its idea for developing mobile laboratory equipment, the team impressed the jury with its degree of innovation, market relevance and technical feasibility.

On 31 May 2022, the final of the Danube Cup took place as part of Entrepreneurship Avenue in Vienna - an important event for young founders from universities along the Danube.

Of all the nominated start-ups, the student team AirMate from the Johannes Kepler University Linz came out on top. With their prototype of a specially developed shirt designed to protect children from drowning, they won over the jury and audience and secured first place.

Second place went to the signovative team from OTH Regensburg. They developed an app-based AI software for speech conversion that is designed to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people.

There was also a team from Passau in the final: Kangaroo Delivery presented an environmentally friendly and resource-saving delivery system.

Two teams from each university qualified for the semi-finals in advance. In addition, the Regensburg start-up wemedit, which aims to improve processes in doctors' surgeries through digital innovation, won the public vote and thus secured a place in the final. In the final, all teams presented their concepts in three-minute pitches in front of a high-calibre jury.

The participating teams were supported by funding networks such as the Bavarian University Centre for Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe (BAYHOST), which supports student mobility and cooperation between universities in Bavaria and Eastern Europe.

The University of Passau, OTH Regensburg and the University of Regensburg are planning to jointly organise the Danube Cup 2023 in order to bring the competition to the region and further strengthen international cooperation in the field of entrepreneurship.

Documentation of the Danube Cup 2022 competition (external link, opens in a new window)

This year, the "Entrepreneur Ship" of the international pitch competition Danube Cup 2023 travelled to the ports of Passau and Regensburg. Students from four countries and eight universities came together from 9 to 12 May to present their start-up ideas to an international jury and audience and gain valuable experience in the international start-up and pitch context.

At the final on 12 May 2023, the student start-up team Gellit from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics came out on top of the competition and won first place and the prize money of €1,000. The students presented an innovative, bio-organic fertiliser solution that increases the water retention capacity of the soil and at the same time releases nutrients for plants - a contribution to sustainable agriculture.

Second place went to the start-up Fit for Always from the University of Regensburg. With a software solution and specially developed video content, the team aims to improve digital support in elderly care and thus make the work of carers easier.

Third place went to the Farmit team from the University of Belgrade. The platform connects end users with local farmers and enables the purchase of healthy vegetables from virtually designed gardens as well as a sustainable strengthening of regional agriculture.

The Lesson Organiser team from Passau also successfully took part in the competition. Their collaborative planning and management software for lesson planning is designed to help teachers organise their work in a more efficient, networked and digital way.

In addition to the competition, the focus was on exchange and networking: the participants used rallies, city tours and inspiring keynotes as a supporting programme to make contacts, learn from each other and gain intercultural experience.

The Johannes Kepler University of Linz is scheduled to host the Danube Cup in 2024. Once again, the University of Passau, OTH Regensburg, the University of Regensburg and the founding initiators - the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and the Corvinus University of Budapest - will participate together with the University of Vienna and the University of Belgrade as partner universities.

What the universities along the Danube have in common is not only their geographical location, but above all the goal of building an international network in the field of entrepreneurship and making young founders visible.

Documentation of the competition (external link, opens in a new window)