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Ideas competition at JLU: Innovations for the future!
On June 16, 2025, the ideas competition “Idea Slam” took place at JLU Giessen, where creative startups competed for prizes and support.
Ideas competition at JLU: Innovations for the future!
On June 16, 2025, a fascinating event took place as part of the Idea Slam ideas competition of the ECM start-up center at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU). Around 250 guests gathered in the university auditorium to experience innovative business ideas and support the most promising young entrepreneurs. The competition not only offers young founders the opportunity to present their ideas, but also provides a platform to make valuable contacts and receive feedback from an expert jury, as [werbungstellung.com] explains.
The winning team “WullUp”, consisting of Max Arab Said, Tim Wißner and Krestoufer Toumas, convinced the jury with their business idea: an app for sharing music. In addition to the main prize of 1,500 euros, the team also received marketing coaching with EUPHORIA. WullUp also secured the audience award, which underlines the attractiveness of their idea. The “Gilly’s Kitchen” team came in second, represented by Lydia Witzmann, Gina Jenkins and Sönke Vela Sanchez. Their product includes nutrient-dense, age-appropriate convenience products for children, including their first creation, a nutrient-dense waffle. The team won 1,000 euros for their creative approach.
Prize winners and jury
Third place went to the individual founder Sophie Nicolaus with her innovative medical product “ReDrain”, a new drainage system, which was awarded a prize of 500 euros. In addition to the classic prizes, a special prize for sustainability was also awarded; this went to the “MATERIALiST” team, led by Dr. Felix H. Richter and his team were brought to life. Their project aims to find a material solution for solid-state batteries to improve their lifespan and performance.
The jury was made up of experts, including Christian Opitz, Magdalena Pusch, Christina Weber, Jan Becker and Dirk Rudolf. A stage program also took place as part of the event, which included a stage talk with founder Timur Zorlu and presenter Laura Paloma. The award ceremony was followed by a networking event where snacks, drinks and beats created a relaxed atmosphere and offered the opportunity to make further contacts.
Supportive partners and broad network
The event was supported by numerous partners, including AbIdeeOk, Beta Box, EUPHORIA, Goldbeck and Hessen Trade & Invest. Regional institutions such as the IHK Gießen-Friedberg, the Volksbank Mittelhessen and the Gießen Technology and Innovation Center also contributed to the realization of the competition, as can be read on [uni-giessen.de].
Startup competitions, like the Idea Slam, go beyond promoting ideas; They are part of a larger framework in which over 150 competitions take place in Germany every year. These are aimed at different industries and start-up phases. Various other competitions are listed on [tbd.community] that offer startups attractive prize money and support. An example is the Green Alley Award, which has been honoring ecologically sustainable startups since 2014, or the German Startup Awards, which can support this year's winners up to 50,000 euros.
Competitions like these are crucial for Germany's economic future and contribute to innovation by giving founders the opportunity to refine their business ideas and receive advice from experts. Awards like those from Idea Slam also strengthen investors' faith in these young companies and their potential.