5 sustainable startup ideas from GenZ
Last week, the Körber Start-Hub celebrated its opening, and the culmination was the GenZ Startup Weekend. Five teams, consisting of girls and boys aged between 15 and 21, had developed business ideas in a very short space of time that focussed on sustainability issues. In the final pitch, they presented their ideas and impressed the audience and a jury of experts.
From 0 to startup in 15 hours
The participants at the GenZ Startup Weekend only had 15 hours of real working time spread over three days, from getting to know each other to the final presentation. They received plenty of support from experienced mentors and experts from the startup world. The event was organised by the Young Talents Club Hamburg (YOTA) of Hamburg Invest, whose Startup-Unit was also involved. The Next Entrepreneurs were in charge as well, with Roger Zimmermann and Felix Hackbarth leading the programme.
The content of the five teams was based on the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations. The topic of energy supply took centre stage twice. The EcoFlow project focussed on saving energy and a platform with the best tips for doing so. PowerPot also offered a platform solution, with information on the use of renewable energy sources and corresponding funding programmes. The fact that there is a need for this is confirmed by surveys that both teams carried out, like everyone else on their projects.
Another problem that affects everyone is food waste. Private households that lose track of their stocks and throw away spoilt or expired food play a significant role in this. The VIKÜ app records all products purchased and sends a timely message when a best-before date is approaching.
GenZ topics impressed the most
Of course, a GenZ Startup Weekend is not complete without topics that affect young people in particular. The socialiZe team has conceptualized an app that uses concrete exercises to help overcome shyness in personal communication. While there are often deficits in this area, the use of smartphones gets out of hand for many people and takes up time that could be put to much better use. Tempi:Coach, also an app-based solution, blocks applications on the mobile phone according to strict specifications and makes alternative suggestions for leisure activities. This idea was chosen as the best of the day by the jury, with all the teams being real winners as well. We can only hope that this weekend was the beginning of a startup career for as many participants as possible.
