Led by students and alumni, the teams presented ventures designed to drive industry transformation and real-world impact. Compared to previous editions, the 2025 Startup Challenge demonstrated a significant rise in the maturity and sophistication of the projects, from AI-first startups to deep-tech research initiatives. This progression highlights the growing entrepreneurial ambition within the CEMS community.
The event was hosted by CEMS alumni Jacopo Faini and Alessandro Bottegal, and featured a great jury made up of Alex Pinter, Camilla Kenny, and Finn Christian Arctander. After each pitch, they challenged the founders with an engaging Q&A session. Beyond the stage, the jury will continue to support the startups in the coming months, offering guidance on storytelling, validation, and fundraising.
The programme also included a talk by CEMS alumna Rachel Pinto who shared her personal journey from the corporate world to startups and entrepreneurship.
The 2025 Winners
After an exciting competition, two startups stood out - both to our expert jury and to the audience:
Jury Winner
Reason8 Faster, deeper consumer insights. Reason8 is changing how companies do market research. Instead of relying on slow surveys, they use AI to conduct deep consumer interviews at scale. The platform analyzes conversations, including tone and emotion, to deliver insights 10x faster than old methods.
Audience Winner
Sloper Your AI ski coach. Sloper won the crowd over with its virtual ski instructor. It uses AI to give real-time analysis and tips through a mobile app. It makes high-quality coaching accessible to everyone, helping skiers improve their technique without the high cost of private lessons.
Meet the Finalists
We’d also like to congratulate the other finalists, who delivered outstanding pitches and showcased the impressive diversity of innovation within our network.
- PoLightFilters: A deep-tech startup from the University of Cologne. They create special optical filters that improve performance in medical imaging, microscopy, and OLED displays.
- Nomadoc: A health companion for travelers in Morocco. The platform connects tourists with English-speaking doctors and clinics, ensuring fast access to care when it's needed most.
- MyClosly: A social shopping platform where AI meets personal style. It curates fashion based on your specific vibe and lets users earn credits when others shop their looks.
More Than Just a Competition
The Startup Challenge has grown into something much bigger than a simple pitch contest. It has become the place where the CEMS spirit translates into real action. It is where students find partners, alumni find inspiration, and where we prove that this community is ready to lead not only in corporate boardrooms, but as founders and disruptors.
The energy in the room this year was undeniable, but we are just getting started. As we close this chapter, we are already looking toward the future. Next year, the Startup Challenge will reach new heights as the Career Forum moves to an exciting new venue in Prague. Big things are coming.
