Young entrepreneurs develop innovative solutions to solve modern-day social, medical and consumer issues
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- Fitterli, from Israel won coveted top prize at the Intel Business Challenge Europe Finals
- Runners up included an innovative medical start-up from Italy and a UK-based tool that fosters emotional intelligence in young children
- All five winning teams will now represent Europe at the Intel Global Challenge 2014 Finals at UC Berkeley later this year
VILNIUS/Lithuania, 12 September 2014 – Intel Corporation today announced the winners of the Intel Business Challenge Europe 2014, the result of an eight month long business plan competition that identifies and supports the most creative and innovative students and graduates across Europe.
Taking the coveted top prize was Fitterli, from Israel, a technology that offers a new way to shop for clothes online. The winning team developed a unique solution that will enable online shoppers to visualise what items would look like using a 3D personalized avatar of their bodies. Users will be able to see the clothes fitted directly onto their virtual body avatar without the need to visit a physical store.
Second place was awarded to Neuron Guard, an Italian medical start-up that can limit the symptoms associated with Acute Brain Damage. The team presented an integrated solution for brain protection that can be used directly at the site of the trauma, in order to save portions of the brain that would otherwise be damaged.
In third place was Smart Vineyard, a tool developed in Hungary that offers web-based grapevine protection. It enables users to digitally monitor their vineyard’s microclimate and signs of potential disease to ensure an optimal harvest. BuzZoole from Italy closely followed, an online social platform that can analyse a brand’s influence and connect it with consumers. Finally, UK-based Karisma Kidz was recognised for its web-based tool which aims to foster emotional intelligence in young children through play and educational activities.
The ceremony took place in the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and the top five winning awards were announced by Evaldas Gustas, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania. All five winning teams will now represent Europe at the Intel Global Challenge 2014 Finals at UC Berkeley later this year.
Marcin Hejka, Vice President, Intel Capital, Managing Director, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, who chaired the judging panel said: “I have been overwhelmed by the dynamic and innovative entries at this year’s Intel Business Challenge. From retail technology to medical innovation they showcased exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to marry social innovation with technology. The Challenge is a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs to present their ideas to a wider community, and the winners can now tap into its vast potential to market and develop their products and ideas”.
Bernadette Andrietti, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Marketing Director, Intel EMEA, also commented, saying: “As in previous years, the winners of the 2014 Intel Business Challenge showcase the finest in innovation. They provide a dynamic outlook on business and societal issues and illustrate the incredibly strong young talent present across Europe. It will be even more than exciting to see these talented young entrepreneurs become tomorrow´s business leaders”.
Teams competing in the EMEA Finals in Vilnius came from 12 countries: Israel, Norway, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, UK, Bulgaria, Ireland, Denmark and Poland. All participating teams received coaching and support from international experts throughout their preparations to refine their ideas, create viable business plans and hone their presentations to attract interest and investment.
The jury consisted of venture capitalists, academics and business leaders - including Jakub Probola, Managing Director of Hub:raum, Julie Meyer CEO of Ariadne Capital and Mindaugas Glodas, General Manager at Nextury Ventures.
The challenge is now in its ninth year and it continues to drive what it initially set out to do: catalyse entrepreneurialism and inspire young people to create the innovations of tomorrow. The finals were set alongside the Life Sciences Baltics conference, the only international forum in the Baltics for world-class biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical devices experts from all around the world.
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Note to Editors
Images and videos from the Intel Business Challenge Europe 2014 are available at:
https://www.facebook.com/IntelBusinessChallengeEurope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kXldOYIv70&feature=youtu.be
About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. As a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability, Intel also manufactures the world’s first commercially available “conflict-free” microprocessors. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com, and about Intel’s conflict-free efforts at conflictfree.intel.com.
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CONTACT: Diana Kaaserer
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