From September 14-18, more than 80 university students from 24 countries around the world will be in Copenhagen to compete in the final of the University Startup World Cup.

The event is being held for the first time ever this year and has involved students from more than 3,000 universities.

Diverse ideas
The finalists will take part in pitching sessions, investor meetings and a trade show before a vote is taken to find the winner.

A total of 47 teams of budding entrepreneurs will compete in five categories – cleantech and environment, life science and medtech, mobile and web, product and technology, and social entrepreneurship – and the competition has attracted entries with diverse business ideas.

For example, the Jumping Jack team from the Netherlands has developed a muesli bar made using insect flour, with the goal of producing a sustainable alternative to processed corn products. Meanwhile, Tubusone from Aalborg University has created a blowpipe to allow disabled people without hands or arms to operate smartphones and tablets.

Bringing talent to Denmark
Venture Cup is a Danish non-profit organisation and one of the event’s organisers. According to Human Shojaee, the CEO of the organisation, Denmark has a lot to gain by hosting such an event.

“Venture Cup’s goal is to make Denmark one of the leading entrepreneur hubs for university students and in that way attract a lot of international talents to the Danish business world,” he said.

“There is enormous potential in the many innovative solutions and talented students coming to Copenhagen to present their business plans. They have the desire and the curiosity to network with investors and companies and do their very best to give their business plans the best start!”

All finalist teams will receive a one-year startup mentor program.