From Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2015, the first mitl Startup Weekend was held in Trier, where the winning team of the 'Venlegis' new game app was rewarded with a prize worth €5,000.

On Sunday, a jury was joined by 20 mentors and partner Startup-Germany e.V. as four exciting business models were presented by young entrepreneurs. Moderator Markus Schranner rewarded the winners, inviting them to the international Games Week 2016 in Berlin in order for them to meet potential investors. The team, who developed a geobased RPG for the real and the virtual world as a new smartphone or tablet app, received €5,000 in consulting services to help support their project.

The mitl weekend was based on a novel concept, with participants coming from different workspaces and forming teams to collaborate on an idea after only being introduced that evening. Even those who found themselves without a concrete business idea were able to participate and introduce themselves.

"I found it super motivational to give my creativity a new direction outside of university," commented Kawai Chung, a student at the University of Trier.

"The mentors were able to show us new perspectives on our business ideas," continued Sonja Felsmann, whilst Roman Dino stated: "Beforehand I thought it would be a formal event, but the casual atmosphere and the knowledgeable mentors allowed us to make big strides".

"We have benefitted from a very creative idea pool and great new teammates," rejoiced Dana Junghans from winning team 'Venlegis'.

"Our format is completely new for the start-up scene in the Trier-Luxembourg region and is an important stimulus," commented Dr. Thomas Simon, CEO of mitl. "The young people worked here intensively and with concentration on their founding idea. We will work more here with further events".

"It was a good first event and I am looking forward to the next Startup Weekend in April 2016," concluded Dr. Stefan Weiler, juror of the State Chancellery Rheinland-Pfalz.

The winning team will be back in Trier again on 13 November, where they will appear on stage at the University along with four other creators.

 

Photo by mitl (Venlengis team L-R: Corinne Rinkel, Michael Kappes, Kawai Chung, Dana Junghans, Christian Kappes, Moritz Leg, Daniel Garcia)