How do practical innovations emerge when start-ups, students and companies come together? The Pioneer Innovation Challenge 2024 showed how much potential there is in interdisciplinary collaboration and what impact is created when real issues meet entrepreneurial thinking.
We analysed participant feedback from the 2024 Challenge and share key insights on collaboration, prototyping and future improvements.
Over the course of two months, seven teams of students, young entrepreneurs and partner companies worked on specific challenges from the food and healthcare industry. They included Biotta, Emmi, Migros Zurich, EiCO and Bertschi Bäckerei - companies that were willing to openly share their innovation issues and develop new solutions together with the teams.
Start-ups provide impetus
Particularly exciting: several start-ups also actively participated in the challenge, including Yumame Foods, tasty spready and the Ponera Group. They contributed their own expertise, network and entrepreneurial spirit to the teams and at the same time benefited from the collaboration with industry partners, experts and students from various disciplines.
"The challenge not only gave us new ways of thinking, but also concrete contacts in the industry. The openness of the partners was really valuable," said one participant from a start-up team.
From idea to prototype
Whether high-protein products, calorie-reduced smoothies or new packaging solutions, many teams developed initial prototypes, tested them with user feedback and presented their results at the pitch night in November. This was perceived by the participants as inspiring, appreciative and professional - a real highlight at the end of the intensive work phase.
In several cases, the work is even continuing: bachelor theses, follow-up discussions with partner companies or concrete production ideas are being considered. This shows: The Challenge creates real starting points for further innovation steps.
Learning through practice
In addition to project work, the participants also benefited from methodologically supported workshops on ideation, prototyping and implementation. The combination of structured process support, personal responsibility and real impact was particularly appreciated by many.
The clear communication, flexible support and open, solution-oriented collaboration with the foodward team were also praised on several occasions.
Outlook
For future editions of the challenge, individual points are to be further developed in a more targeted manner, such as larger, more diverse teams, clearer scopes per challenge and more dialogue between teams. Visibility in social media and university networks will also be further expanded.
Are you ready for the Pioneer Innovation Challenge 2025?
