The EU-XCEL project has now come to an end. Three best start-ups have been selected

2016-11-03

EU-XCEL is a European initiative which supports aspiring young entrepreneurs in creating international start-ups. Our Park also took part in the project. The official closing gala took place in Munich on 23-25 October 2016. Among the three ideas which were awarded prizes was the one which was created at PSTP during the workshop organised in June.

The path that as many as 180 EU-XCEL participants needed to follow this year was not a bed of roses. It was a test of their persistence, involvement and the ability to overcome barriers, e.g. resulting from cultural differences. Despite the challenges, 36 teams were created. During a 3-month remote work phase they designed and prototyped their start-ups trying to make their way up to the final in Munich. The authors of the best 14 start-ups (68 people) were invited to the Challenge Final in Munich to present their projects to investors and business consultants representing 6 European countries and to a larger audience during the Munich Entrepreneurship Day. Three most successful start-ups were awarded the prizes:

• Mahoo (EUR 5,000) – a solution which allows automation of the classification of aftermarket car parts and makes it easier to identify the parts that a customer is looking for.
• Drive Bands (EUR 3,000) – a platform that connects brands with drivers in order to offer targeted and efficient advertising campaign on cars.
• DOC YET (EUR 2,000) – a solution that helps to find and access medical treatment in non-English speaking countries.

We are particularly proud of the DOCYET team which was created during the workshop in PSTP InQbator at the beginning of June 2016. Since that time we have been monitoring the work of the team, sharing our expertise and offering support during a 12-week remote work phase. Our experience shows that for many participants the EU-XCEL challenge served as a great motivation to establish their own start-ups and an incentive to start looking at themselves as entrepreneurs.

We keep our fingers crossed for all the EU-XCEL participants with whom we have had a pleasure to work for the last two years!