28. March '24
A group of seven people from Hochschule Coburg stands proudly on a stage holding certificates. Behind them, a screen displays a list of award winners under the title “JURYPREIS.” On the left, a red banner adorned with a white logo adds to the celebratory atmosphere.
A group of seven people from Hochschule Coburg stands proudly on a stage holding certificates. Behind them, a screen displays a list of award winners under the title "JURYPREIS." On the left, a red banner adorned with a white logo adds to the celebratory atmosphere.
Quickly buying something healthy to eat, even when the cafeteria and canteen are closed: That’s what students at the Friedrich Streib Campus of Coburg University of Applied Sciences are missing.
The solution could be a food vending machine that is always available and offers seasonal products from the region.
A team of students won the ERIC start-up competition with this concept – and the university sees great potential for implementing the idea.
ERIC stands for “Entrepreneurship Track for Regional Impact on Global Challenges” and is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts to pave the way for sustainable start-up projects and pilot projects.
The ERIC start-up competition was launched for the first time in the winter semester 2023 / 24.
Students and staff at Coburg University of Applied Sciences are encouraged in a low-threshold way to see ecological and social challenges as drivers for ideas and innovations.
The development of sustainable business models (sustainable business modeling) was also methodically supported in some courses.
“We developed our idea as part of our business studies course,” explains student Tina Knipper.
“And then it grew from there.”
Together with Jana Adler, Lina Bätz, Amelie Motschmann, Susann Müller and Milena Scherz, she is part of the team that won the competition.
The six students on the Bachelor’s degree courses in Business Administration and Integrative Health Promotion came together in a project in their first semester at Coburg University of Applied Sciences and designed the 24/7 Regiofresh food vending machine.
The snack vending machines on the Friedrich Streib campus and the kebab store around the corner are not suitable for a healthy, balanced diet.
Due to the location on the Judenberg in the west of Coburg, it’s not easy to just pop into the nearest supermarket, the portions there are often too large and the students also want products from regional agriculture.
Student Amelie Motschmann explains that the Regiofresh concept aims to fill the vending machine with regional, seasonal and healthy products from local farms: for example, fresh fruit and vegetables, pasta, bread, tomatoes, eggs, cheese and fresh milk.
Small quantities for up to two people are also intended to help prevent food waste.
“This is a very pragmatic approach and it combines the design of a liveable and lovable campus with regional aspects. Both are very important to Coburg University of Applied Sciences,” explains Prof. Dr. Felix Weispfenning.
As Vice President for Transfer, Sustainability, Public Relations and Entrepreneurship, he initiated the competition and sees 24/7 Regiofresh as an idea that “has great potential to be implemented”.
The idea wins the jury and audience awards
The concept won both the jury and the audience award.
The jury included Vice President Prof. Dr. Felix Weispfenning from the university and Prof. Dr. Christian Zagel, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Digital Future Technologies.
Entrepreneur Uwe Schellenberger (koha-Stiftung Bamberg) and Frank Jakobs (IHK zu Coburg) were external jury members.
The audience award was chosen by the university community via an online vote.
Both prizes were awarded at the beginning of the summer semester as part of the university’s IMPACT innovation and learning festival.
Even though the other projects “Farmers First Bank”, “Nutri Know – Healthy Nutrition”, “Healthy Angels” and “Reducing Smartphone Use in the Workplace” were not awarded first place, they also won, says ERIC employee Julia Karberg.
“And not just rebuy vouchers, but above all appreciation and experience!”
Vice President Weispfenning adds: “We want to train students to become personalities and enable them to judge things according to their own values, develop ideas and take responsibility – also in the context of social commitment.”
When students engage with the process of founding a company, they develop skills that help them to set up a company.
“Such personalities are also in demand within companies.”
The team behind the 24/7 Regiofresh concept is delighted to have won both prizes and is now looking at a possible implementation.
Amelie Motschmann smiles: “It’s great that we were able to initiate a project in the first semester that was so well received. It motivates us for the future!”
