Solutions on Stage: Demo Day #23 Shows the Future of Innovation

On June 3rd, 2025 INiTS held its 23rd Demo Day at ECOVIS. This important event marked the end of their 100-day Startup Camp program. Many startup founders presented their ideas to investors and industry experts who came to see new and innovative business solutions. A huge thank you to ECOVIS for being such a gracious host and providing the perfect backdrop for this inspiring gathering!

The Startup Camp helps turn great ideas into real businesses. During this 100-day program, new startups get practical business training and guidance from experienced mentors. They also get to connect with investors and industry experts who can help them succeed. The program is quite selective. Of the 108 teams that applied to the SCALEup Incubation Program, eight were selected and presented their solutions at Demo Day #23.

Beyond Problems: A Solutions-Oriented Mindset Takes Center Stage

These eight startups stood out because they focused on finding real solutions to existing problems. Instead of just pointing out what’s wrong, they came up with creative ways to fix things. Each team showed this problem-solving approach when they presented their ideas to the jury and investors.

The distinguished jury panel consisted of Gabi Tatzberger (Wirtschaftsagentur Wien), Niki Futter (invest.austria), Natalie Hammerich (Frequentis), and Oliver Szolar (a:head bio). They provided insightful questions and constructive feedback to each startup team. Their active participation demonstrated the collaborative spirit of Austria’s startup ecosystem in supporting emerging businesses.

The Jury – Niki Futter, Natalie Hammerich, Gabi Tatzberger, Oliver Szolar

A Glimpse into Tomorrow: The Pitches That Wowed

The eight pitching startups represented a diverse range of industries:

AiClearSky: Revolutionizing critical communication, proving that clear communication truly saves lives.
AvatarGuide: An ingenious platform utilizing AI avatars for software walkthrough videos, promising to dramatically cut sales team time and boost conversion rates.
AiResolve: Pioneering an efficient, AI-powered precision medicine platform for the treatment of immune diseases, offering new hope in a complex field.
Algaethera: Charting new territory in biopharmaceutical production and drug delivery through the development of microalgae strains for cosmetics, veterinary, and medical devices.
Cogmotiv: Addressing the pressing challenge of apathy in aging and dementia with targeted pharmacological treatments.
Kleinkraft – Carbon Engineering: Demonstrating a commitment to a sustainable future with an efficient and sustainable process for producing chemicals from CO2 for industrial use.
Neworn: Building trust and personalization in the second-hand children’s market with an AI-driven platform.
OPOP: Empowering real-time operational optimization and reducing production costs with a self-service software acting as a digital laboratory.

Boosting Diversity and Sustainability: Bonuses for a Brighter Future

Innovation must go hand in hand with diversity and climate-conscious solutions. Six of the eight pitching startups demonstrated this commitment with at least one female co-founder; a significant achievement in the traditionally male-dominated startup scene. These six teams, Algaethera, AiResolve, Kleinkraft – Carbon Engineering, Cogmotiv, Neworn, and OPOP, each received a EUR 1.000,- bonus to support their commitment to diversity.

Kleinkraft – Carbon Engineering, Neworn, and OPOP, all tackling crucial topics, also received a EUR 1.000,- bonus, further emphasizing the commitment to a sustainable future.

And the Jury Prize Goes To…

While all eight startups delivered exceptional pitches, only one could walk away with the jury prize: a matchmaking coaching session sponsored by Invest Austria. After careful deliberation, the jury announced Algaethera as the deserving winner! Congratulations to the entire Algaethera team for their outstanding presentation and groundbreaking work.

Demo Day #23 was more than just a series of pitches. It was a powerful testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, and the collaborative nature of the Austrian startup ecosystem. These eight startups are now ready to take their next big step forward. Their innovative solutions will help create a better future; one that’s more inclusive, environmentally friendly, and full of new possibilities. We look forward to seeing how they grow and make a positive difference in the world.