Entrepreneurship knows no borders, and the CEMS Startup Challenge 2024 proved just that. Hosted during the renowned CEMS Career Forum at ESADE Business School, this annual event brought together six startups from around the globe.
Each team, led by ambitious students and recent alumni, showcased innovative ideas that can transform industries and create a global impact. This year’s competition celebrated the diversity of the CEMS community. From sustainable fashion to cutting-edge AI, the 6 participating startups demonstrated how bold ideas can drive change.
The event was hosted by CEMS alumni Jacopo Faini and Alessandro Bottegal, who dedicate their time to building a CEMS network around entrepreneurship, naming CEMS Entrepreneurs.
We had the pleasure of having as jurors Ariadna Masó, CEO of SANNO, she founded CEMS Entrepreneurs over 10 years ago; Alex Pinter, Operating Model and Growth Strategist at Accenture, with several entrepreneurial experiences, he has become a resident guest, coming to the Challenge every year; and Adrian R. Doppler, Senior Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte, he is helping companies look into the future.
They enriched the challenge by engaging in a bold Q&A after every pitch, and awarding the winning prize to Taleva. On top of their effort, during the next months, the jurors will dedicate time to advise the startups on storyline, validation, and fundraising strategies.
The participation from students attending the Career Forum was massive. We had 100+ people showing up at the event, and choosing Overview as the audience winner.
During the break between pitches and the jury vote, we had the pleasure of hosting Gallo Coffe’s founder Carlos Reyes, who presented his entrepreneurial journey and gave some tips and tricks to our founders and audience.
This year’s participants
Taleva 🇳🇱
Headquartered in Amsterdam, Taleva is reshaping recruitment with its AI-powered interview platform. By automating the pre-screening process, it gives candidates a powerful tool to improve themselves, and it saves companies time, while ensuring better and unbiased hiring decisions.
OVERVIEW 🇩🇪
Based in Cologne, OVERVIEW makes everyday life easier by offering a seamless booking platform to manage all your appointments. Whether it’s personal or professional, it ensures you stay organized and stress-free.
Zephyr 🇦🇹
Vienna-based Zephyr is tackling the challenges of extreme heat with its innovative cooling vest. Designed to improve comfort, particularly for professionals working in extreme heat conditions, this technology is a game-changer in climate adaptation.
Swap 🇪🇸
Hailing from Barcelona, Swap offers a rental service for locally-made, high-quality clothing. Their platform aims at reducing waste, while supporting local artisans, redefining the fashion industry one garment at a time.
Customiz3d 🇪🇬
Cairo’s Customiz3d blends fashion and innovation with their customizable 3D-printed bags. With a focus on personalization, they’re setting new standards in the fashion world.
Wahatan 🇸🇦
From Riyadh, Wahatan is addressing the critical issue of electronic waste with tech-enabled solutions for sustainable management. Their mission to reduce e-waste is as impactful as it is timely.
A Platform for Global Collaboration
The CEMS Startup Challenge has grown into much more than a pitching contest. It serves as a powerful platform for creating connections, getting inspired, and enabling collaboration across borders. With each edition, the event strengthens the bond between CEMS students, alumni, and corporate partners, amplifying the impact of entrepreneurship within the global community.
As we come to the end of this year’s Challenge, one thing is clear: the future of innovation within CEMS is bright. These 6 startups exemplify the creativity, ambition, and drive that define our community.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the jury, mentors, and the audience whose enthusiasm and support made this event a success. The CEMS Entrepreneurs team looks forward to continuing this tradition.
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities, and explore the world of CEMS Entrepreneurs by visiting the website.