INNoCamp Kufstein 2026 – Innovate Together

17.06.2026
Event Review

44 participants from six study programs developed innovative solutions for real partner challenges in 12 interdisciplinary teams at INNoCamp Kufstein 2026.

At INNoCamp Kufstein 2026, 44 students from six degree programs developed innovative solutions to real-world challenges from society, business, and campus life in interdisciplinary teams. Three challenges, twelve teams, and numerous practice partners took center stage.

A proven format, new challenges, and a strong network of familiar and new contributors: the 9th edition of INNoCamp Kufstein brought together students, regional partners, coaches, and experts at FH Kufstein Tirol from April 20 to April 30, 2026. Under the motto INNoCamp Kufstein 2026 – Innovate Together, 44 participants from six different degree programs worked in 12 interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative solution approaches for real-world tasks from business, society, and campus life.

INNoCamp is a moderated open innovation competition in which students work on real challenges over the course of ten days and gradually develop their ideas from problem analysis through ideation and prototyping all the way to the final pitch. The working language was English.

From challenge briefing to the final pitch

The event began on the first camp evening under the theme Understand & Explain. The three partners presented their challenges, initial situations, and expectations for strong ideas. The teams then explored the relevant target groups, problem settings, and framework conditions. Among the tools used were Value Proposition Design and Buyer Persona.

Tiroler Märchentraumwelten contributed a question of particular social relevance: How might we support children and young people in making bullying visible, sharing their experiences, and jointly developing ways to actively address it - through creative, playful, and experience-oriented formats?

START.N Kitzbühel focused on the further development of its offerings at its Kitzbühel location: How might we further develop our offerings in Kitzbühel in a way that ensures office utilization, attracts new target groups, and creates real added value for the region?

ÖH Kufstein placed campus life at FH Kufstein Tirol at the center: How might we shape campus life at FH Kufstein in a way that actively fosters cross-program and cross-cultural connections, allowing a sense of belonging to develop naturally for all students?

During the second camp evening, Ideate & Focus Ideas, the teams developed numerous solution approaches, consolidated them into initial concepts, and used the direct exchange with the partners to clarify open questions, test early ideas, and further refine their concepts. This phase was methodologically supported by a range of creativity and prototyping methods, as well as additional input from the FH Makers Lab.

On the third camp evening, Pitch Perfect, the teams worked on the structure of their presentations, their core messages, value proposition, implementation logic, as well as their one-pagers and pitch decks. Additional methods such as Business Model Innovation, PitchPerfect, and NABC were also used. The teams then received final subject-specific refinement during Experts Night.

From understanding the problem to the first solution idea: the teams worked with innovation methods such as Value Proposition Design, Buyer Persona, SCAMPER, and prototyping.

Experts Night: 12 teams, 12 experts, two coaching rounds

A central component of the third camp evening was Experts Night. In two coaching rounds, the 12 teams received targeted feedback on their problem understanding, target-group logic, solution idea, feasibility, potential impact, and pitch storyline. This allowed the teams to reflect on, sharpen, and further develop their concepts from different professional perspectives before the finale.

The experts involved were: Diana Baldinger, Sparkasse Kufstein; Carina Berger, Innovationsraum Kufstein; Claudia De Vincenzi, FH Kufstein Tirol; Sashka Hanna, Brand Sashka; Dr. Uwe Heil, FH Kufstein Tirol; Lisa Hofer, Fraunhofer AHEAD; Reinhold M. Karner, FRSA, Business Innovation Expert; Tobias Loinger, Kufstein Economic Chamber; Franziska Lütz, Engel & Völkers Kitzbühel; Sebastian Steegmüller, Flötzinger Bräu Rosenheim; Dr. Yvonne Unnold, FH Kufstein Tirol; and Magdalena Widhopf, INNoCamper 2025.

“In a short period of time, the teams analyzed complex questions, developed creative solution approaches, and presented them convincingly. INNoCamp is a strong example of how entrepreneurial thinking, innovation methods, and practical relevance can come together effectively,” said Reinhold M. Karner, FRSA, Business Innovation Expert.

During Experts Night, the 12 teams received targeted feedback from experts from business, academia, and professional practice.

Grand finale in the festival hall with partners and advisory board

The event concluded with the grand finale in the festival hall of FH Kufstein Tirol. The student teams presented their developed concepts in short five-minute pitches to the challenge partners, advisory board members, and guests. Q&A rounds followed. Prize money of EUR 1.000,- per challenge was awarded.

The decision on the winning teams was made by the respective challenge partners and professionally supported by the advisory board.

At the grand finale, the teams presented their concepts in five-minute pitches to partners, the advisory board, and guests.

From ideas to award-winning concepts

For the Tiroler Märchentraumwelten challenge, the teams developed different approaches to raise awareness among children and young people about bullying, make experiences visible and discussable, and make support in everyday school life easier to access. The ideas ranged from a school-wide online platform with role models to immersive fairy-tale experiences and mobile shows followed by classroom reflection. The winning team was Team Awareness. The team impressed with a scalable platform solution for information, participation, and support.

“Bullying prevention requires more than information - it must reach children emotionally, empower them, and encourage them to take action. Team Awareness developed an approach that creates visibility and provides concrete support exactly where it is needed: in children’s everyday lives,” said clients Werner Steidl and Ivana Filipovic from Tiroler Märchentraumwelten. They were supported in an advisory capacity by Reinhold M. Karner, FRSA, Business Innovation Expert, and Dr. Stefan Gruber, Innsbruck Economics.

Winning team of the bullying challenge: Team Awareness impressed with a scalable platform solution for information, participation, and support.

The solution approaches for the START.N challenge focused, among other things, on structuring the offerings more clearly, addressing different target groups more precisely, strengthening community components such as meetups or shared offices, and increasing visibility, activation, and utilization through mentoring and infrastructure measures. The winning team was DurchSTART.N. The team stood out with its proposal to clearly separate START.N Corporate and START.N Factory, thereby sharpening the target-group approach.

“The results of INNoCamp provide valuable input for the further development of START.N. The exchange with the students was extremely exciting and showed how new perspectives and creative approaches can help rethink existing challenges,” said Gregor Gebhardt and Jenny Koller of START.N Kitzbühel, supported in an advisory role by Lisa Hofer, INNoCrew coach; Dorothea von Griessenbeck, Startup.Tirol; and Prof. (FH) Dr. Uwe Heil, FH Kufstein Tirol.

Winning team of the START.N challenge: DurchSTART.N developed a concept for a clearer target-group approach and the further development of the location.

The solution approaches for the ÖH challenge focused, among other things, on making encounters in everyday student life easier, increasing the visibility of existing offerings, and creating new formats for exchange, orientation, and community. The ideas ranged from a central campus app to larger interaction formats and structured onboarding and community-building measures. The winner was Matchmaker - a format that brings students together through short matching rounds for shared lunch meetups and turns these initial connections into lasting networks and ÖH events through playful elements and targeted follow-up offerings.

“With the winning format, we are creating low-threshold initial encounters and intentionally linking them to additional community offerings. In this way, a shared lunch can grow into a genuine sense of belonging,” said ÖH project leads Aylin Kelling, Martin Kreuzmeir, and Máté Szakács, supported on the advisory board by Diana Baldinger, Sparkasse Kufstein; Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Situm; and Markus Ehrlenbach, FH Kufstein Tirol.

Winning team of the ÖH challenge: Matchmaker focuses on low-threshold encounters and new community offerings on campus.

Innovation as a shared learning process

In its 9th edition, INNoCamp Kufstein once again demonstrated how valuable the combination of a structured innovation process, interdisciplinary teamwork, and direct exchange with practice partners can be. The students were able to work on real problems, incorporate different perspectives, and present their ideas to experienced partners and experts.

“For many years, INNoCamp has connected real-world challenges from professional practice with the creativity and implementation strength of our students. Once again, 2026 showed how much can emerge when partners, experts, coaches, and teams work together on solutions - with a proven format, new topics, and many dedicated people,” said Karin Steiner, Head of the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at FH Kufstein Tirol.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to the three challenge partners, all experts, coaches, and supporters, the INNoCrew, and all participating students who shaped INNoCamp 2026 with their ideas, commitment, and openness. Special thanks go to the generous sponsor Flötzinger Bräu, as well as to the co-hosts and supporters Wirtschaftskammer Kufstein, Startup.Tirol, Standortagentur Tirol, and Sparkasse Kufstein, all of whom have supported and made INNoCamp possible for many years.