And the Winner is…

19.02.2025 Idea Call, News , ,

On February 6th, the time has come again: The Social Business Hub Styria invited to the fourth award ceremony of its ideas competition, honoring innovative ideas that address social and ecological challenges through entrepreneurial solutions. A new category this year: Junior Companies.

Around 100 guests gathered at the UNICORN Startup & Innovation Hub in Graz. State Councilor Landesrätin Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, State Councilor Landesrätin Simone Schmiedtbauer, and City Councilor Stadtrat Günter Riegler greeted the attendees via video message. They highlighted the innovative spirit and commitment of the applicants to our ideas call and welcomed the competition as a driver of impact-oriented entrepreneurship in Styria.

The event offered fascinating insights into the social entrepreneurship scene and offered many networking opportunities. Established social entrepreneurs who have completed the Social & Green Business Incubation Program of the Social Business Hub were also in the spotlight. They demonstrated the different ways social businesses can create impact in various sectors. Norbert Rainer (easily), Sophia Stör (RAWTY), Verena Ulrich (DieWIRcity), and Mario Holzlechner (NOBS Clothing) shared their experiences from their time at the Social & Green Business Incubation Program and reported on their ongoing entrepreneurial journeys.

The winners’ projects were in the spotlight, chosen by the expert jury for their outstanding innovative capacity:

(More details on the winning teams below!)

Habitat
Elementoring
Balu

After a brief presentation by Junior Regional Advisor Ewald Hötzl (Styrian Association for Education and Economics – STVG – Steirische Volkswirtschaftliche Gesellschaft) on the topic of “Junior Company” and a relevant excursus on the school competition “Jugend Innovativ” by aws, the award ceremony for the winners in the Youth category took place. The award winners are:

(More details on the winning teams below!)

Gemüsehelden-Caritas, HLW Rottenmann
Resnackable, BHAK Hartberg

The Junior Company awards were presented by Ewald Hötzl (Junior Steiermark Regional Advisor, STVG) and Vera Ebner (Regional Development East Styria), one of our project partners from the EU project “Startup Schmiede Oststeiermark.“

The winners of the Ideas Competition 2024/2025:

“RESNACKABLE” – THE FUTURE SNAPS SUSTAINABILITY!
JUNIOR COMPANY FROM BHAK HARTBERG

The Resnackable Junior Company from BHAK Hartberg developed the idea of combating food waste by transforming “imperfect” fruits and vegetables, which would otherwise go to waste and be discarded, into sustainable snacks like chips and smoothies. The initiative aims to address climate protection, sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, and economic development. The project is in the early implementation phase and targets environmentally conscious consumers aged 14 to 50. Production takes place in Styria, and products are sold regionally and online. The team consists of students from BHAK Hartberg, supported by coaches and partners like Frutura. The goal is to establish a sustainable value chain and raise awareness about the value of food.

Impact area of the idea: Climate protection, sustainable innovative agriculture/food production, resource conservation/circular economy, economic development (e.g., sustainable supply chains)

Team:
Management: Caroline Uran; Coaches: Yvonne Lang, MSc, Arrigo Kurz, MSc
Members: Paula Pichlbauer, David Wagner, Sarah Bogad, Larisa Cotutiu, Victoria Ofner, Lukas Pfleger, Lorenz Reithofer, Sana Sangar Karim, Romana Scharofsky, Edmond Movsesyan, Harutjun Musikjan, Raphael Krautgartner, Henrik Robitschko, Thomas Hallamayr, Dominik Kernbichler

Contact: uran.caroline@bhak-hartberg.at
Website: https://resnackable.ziffer.dev

“GEMÜSEHELDEN” – VEGETABLE CHIPS FROM RESCUED VEGETABLES
JUNIOR COMPANY FROM CARITAS-HLW ROTTENMANN

The Junior Company “Gemüsehelden” from Caritas-HLW Rottenmann produces vegetable chips from rescued vegetables. These chips are made from misshapen vegetables that would otherwise be thrown away. The goal is to reduce food waste and offer a sustainable, healthy snack. To avoid waste, the chips are sold in packaging with rice, which absorbs moisture and can later also be used for cooking. The idea is in the early implementation phase and has already established partnerships with farm shops, organic markets, and grocery stores. The initiative aims to promote climate protection, sustainable agriculture, and resource conservation.

Impact area of the idea: Climate protection, sustainable innovative agriculture/food production, resource conservation/circular economy, economic development (e.g., sustainable supply chains)

Team:
Management: Lisa-Marie Plank
Members: Marie Stelzl, Johanna Rohrer, Sabrina Kleewein, Marina Lechner, Annika Rohrauer, Magdalena Rinnerberger

Contact: gemuesehelden@bzn-caritas.at
Website: https://gemuesehelden.jimdosite.com

“EleMENTORING” – THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR CAREER STARTERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The project “EleMENTORING” is a mentoring program for career starters in early childhood education. It targets individuals over 18 and aims to provide personalized support during their first year of service. The programme includes regular site visits, personal coaching, professional guidance, and networking events to give career starters confidence and competence in their daily work and help retain them in their profession long-term.

The motivation for the project came from the initiators’ own experiences. The challenges faced by educators have intensified in recent years, leading to a shortage of skilled workers and high burnout rates. The project aims to counter these issues by supporting career starters, thus improving quality in care institutions, reducing the shortage of skilled workers, and creating positive societal impact.

Impact area of the idea: Education

Team: Anna Libiseller and Sarah Feierabend (mentors), Diana Gressenbauer (evaluation)

Contact: sarah.feierabend@outlook.com

“Balu – INTELLIGENT MEDICAL DISPENSER“

“Balu – Intelligent Medication Dispenser” aims to solve the challenges of medication management for elderly people. The dispenser is a comprehensive system consisting of an intelligent pill dispenser, cloud software, and an app. With its user-friendly design, “Balu” enables elderly people to take their medications independently and on time, while family members can monitor the status through the app. The motivation for the project stems from the personal experiences of team member David Abel in caring for his grandparents. The system aims to increase safety and reliability in medication management and improve the quality of life for it’s users.

Impact area of the idea: Health / Care

Team: David Abel, Philipp Severin, Alexander Ulmer

Contact: abel@balu.care
Website: https://balu.care

“HABITAT: VIDEO GAME TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTALLY AND CLIMATE – FRIENDLY BEHAVIOR”

“Habitat” is a video game that aims to promote environmentally and climate-friendly behavior. It combines entertainment with education. Players are meant to acquire knowledge about the physical principles and possible solutions to the climate crisis. They learn how to debunk false arguments against climate protection. The game integrates concepts such as renewable energies, waste sorting, and political participation into its mechanics, using narrative and emotional elements as well as point systems to provide long-term motivation. The idea emerged in the context of the human-caused climate crisis, which leads to extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and worsened living conditions. Many people are unaware of the dangers of climate change or do not know how to take action. The goal is to reduce one’s ecological footprint and advocate for environmental protection.

Impact area of the idea: Climate protection, Tech for Good (Technology)

Team: Florian Glawogger

Contact: florian.glawogger@hotmail.com

Creativity and Innovation for a Sustainable Future

The social business sector has gained significant importance in recent years, showing that entrepreneurial action can be compatible with social responsibility and sustainable business practices. Social entrepreneurs contribute significantly to economic structural change and develop solutions to the pressing societal and ecological challenges of our time. Not only the award-winning projects deserve recognition. All approximately 50 submissions impressively demonstrate the creativity and innovative power in Styria. Especially Social & Green Enterprises show how innovative business models can address the major challenges of our time.

We thank our sponsors, all the dedicated participants, and everyone who contributed to the success of this event!

The catering was provided by Marry Icetea and café famoos (Lebensgroß).

https://marryicetea.com/ The Social Business Goodie Bags were filled with energy balls from bettilicious, Zotter chocolate, the book “Gutes tun und Geld verdienen” by Tina Eckert, Marry Icetea, and soaps from Dr. Banfai Naturkosmetik.

Fotos: Nadja Fuchs

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