The annual Danube Cup Final Pitch Event, where students from different disciplines presented their creative business concepts, had an electrifying atmosphere. This occasion honoured vital teamwork in addition to inventiveness and ingenuity.

What set this event apart was its emphasis on the entrepreneurial mindset, which is an outlook that values creativity, adaptability, and perseverance. Students demonstrated that they were fully aware of what the market demanded and that they could alter their plans and make improvements in response to feedback. The well-prepared presentations and original ideas showcased how intensive training and coaching cultivated this style of thinking.

The teams gathered to compete with company ideas and models at the intriguing Tabakfabrik location on 16 May in Linz for the semi-final. During the networking sessions that followed, judges and business leaders gave students insightful input. The students’ enthusiasm for entrepreneurship was further stoked by these exchanges, which also helped the finalist teams prepare for the final competition and offered insights into real-world company dynamics.

In addition to honouring the results of the students’ labours, the Final Pitch Event reaffirmed the value of collaboration and an entrepreneurial attitude. Out of the fifteen student teams, eight made it to the final through the semifinal.

The students got the opportunity to present their revised ideas, which they had received from the eminent jury, in the final round of the competition on the last day. First place went to Artemi from the University of Belgrade, second place went to BridgeAID from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, and third place went to Luvia from the University of Passau. The judges and the audience were impressed by the final three top teams’ professional and creative presentations, which showcased their ground-breaking concepts, in-depth market analysis, and creative solutions.

We express our gratitude to our amiable and industrious colleagues at the University of Linz and the LIT Open Innovation Centre for their tireless efforts and impeccable planning that preceded, accompanied, and concluded the Danube Cup 2024 International Pitch Event. We can’t wait to assemble the following round of teams for the Danube Cup 2025 International Pitch Event in Belgrade in 2025.

Hope to see you there!