Schiller International University Heidelberg Kicks Off First Crowdfunding Battle for Students

Heidelberg, Germany, August 24, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Out of the box, into the future: In cooperation with SPONSORT, regional crowdfunding platform, Schiller International University Heidelberg is looking into crowdfunding to kickstart ideas that make student life better. “The Idea Box used to be a mailbox for good ideas from our students. Now we are going digital and start the first crowdfunding contest at a German University,” says Branislav Lujic, Director of Admissions and Marketing at Schiller International University. During the last 6 months, SPONSORT provided students with support and guidance in the implementation of their idea. Students got a team together and improved their skills in pitching sessions and business modeling. Together with experts from local enterprises such as SAP and Startup Partners Heidelberg, the business cases formed the starting point of the battle.

Let the student battle begin!
Three projects have been chosen for the Idea Box battle and are now set to run a crowdfunding campaign for their project in Heidelberg.

Project 1: Essential Item Dispensing Machine
"International students often have a hard time adjusting to the opening hours of shops and grocery stores in Germany," says Katarina. She invented the EIDM as an automated machine that provides students in Heidelberg with essential items in the quickest method without any language barrier, at any time of day. The purpose of the machine is to ensure all potential basic needs are met. Some items that will be included in inventory are water, nutritional food, essential toiletries and medical items, battery packs with deposits, SIM cards and SD cards. The EIDM will be fully autonomous and secure and can be placed in areas with high density population such as apartment complex lobbies, transport hubs near bus and train stations, and touristy areas.

Project 2: Habibi Bistro
Jaber wants to get a new bistro to SIU Heidelberg that provides food and drinks to students on campus. "The closest bakery is 500 meters away and there is a need for students to interact and exchange on campus," says Jaber. The bistro will be used as a place that gathers students together. Since SIU is very international and diverse, it creates an environment that helps people share their knowledge and ideas.

Project 3: Careerpath
Careerpath.de is an online platform and service that helps students from abroad to achieve their career goals and handle their resumes and applications properly. Careerpath is led by Joel Tim, student at Schiller International University, and is hosting workshops with HR experts from local organizations and enterprises at Schiller International University. The site offers free resume samples, free resume critique and a section with current job opportunities in the area.

The campaigns kicked off at the end of the co-creation period on Monday, August 14th, and will run for a period of 60 days until the finale. If you want to learn more or support the students' ideas, please visit www.sponsort.de/idea-box