21. May 2026 Latest News

Young Ideas, Real Businesses: These Were the 2026 Junior Companies

ICS Honored the Junior Company "CeraChain" with the Internationalization Award

WKO Styria logo

Innovative, committed, and full of entrepreneurial spirit: At the Junior Companies State Competition on May 13, 2026, 15 Junior Companies from ten Styrian schools presented the results of a school year filled with ideas, teamwork, and entrepreneurial practice at the Styrian Economic Chamber. The students developed real products and services, founded their own companies, and gained valuable experience along the entire value chain—from product development and marketing to sales. The ICS was represented on the competition jury by Authorized Signatory Daniela Guss and presented the Special Award for Internationalization to the Junior Company with the greatest international potential: “CeraChain” (Bischöfliches Gymnasium Graz) impressed with its chain wax product and a clear focus on potential international markets.

In the Junior Companies educational project, students aged 15 to 19 found real companies for the duration of one school year. They independently develop business ideas and implement them in the form of products or services on the real market. The young people go through all phases of a business process: from idea generation, planning, and production to marketing, sales, and closing the business. In doing so, they work independently in a team and handle all entrepreneurial tasks themselves. The spectrum ranges from simple services to innovative, even patented products. The students are accompanied by teachers acting as coaches as well as business experts who serve as mentors to ensure practical relevance. The project promotes economic understanding, entrepreneurial thinking, and important social skills, preparing young people for the real world of work.

We warmly congratulate this year’s winners, the Junior Company “PoleMotion” from HAK Liezen, as well as the runners-up “gnom” from Akademisches Gymnasium Graz and the third-place winners “Frulicious” from BG/BORG Deutschlandsberg.

The event was organized by the Styrian Economic Society (STVG) as the project lead and hosted by the Styrian Economic Chamber. Special thanks go to all partners and supporters who make this educational format possible and promote entrepreneurial thinking at an early stage.

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