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The Internationalisation Center Styria (ICS) dedicated the morning of September 18, 2025 entirely to up-and-coming exporters & thus to our youngest Styrian entrepreneurs: On the occasion of the ICS’s 20th anniversary, three Junior Companies presented their innovative business ideas at the Pitching & Mentoring Event.
The Junior Company initiative enables students between the ages of 15 and 19 to found real companies for a school year and go through all phases of a business process – from the idea through product development to sales.
Before a top-class jury – Kathrin Zenker (Zen11 Holding GmbH), Ines Wöckl (Flasher GmbH), Daniela Edelsbrunner (Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark) and Martin Pansy (Nuki) – the three winning teams of this year’s state competition took the stage:
- Boisvaleur (HAK Voitsberg)
- Resnackable (HAK Hartberg)
- [re]whey (BG/BRG Stainach)
After the four-minute pitches and the jury’s evaluation, an intensive mentoring session followed with the jurors and other representatives of the Styrian start-up community. Here, the Junior Companies were able to engage in direct dialogue with experienced entrepreneurs and gather valuable tips for further developing their business ideas.
The team [re]whey emerged as the winner of the pitching competition. In addition to fame and recognition, all participating Junior Companies received vouchers from ICS and goodie bags from Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark – the main sponsor!
The crowning finale of the morning was an exclusive company visit to AVL. Together with the start-up representative, the students gained exciting insights into the work of a globally successful Styrian flagship company.
The event made one thing clear: tomorrow’s export ideas are already taking shape today – and the Styrian start-up community is ready to support these young talents on their journey.
