INNoCamp2025 brings entrepreneurial spirit to campus

In May 2025, the eighth INNoCamp took place at University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol. Around 70 students – including 34 international participants from Finland, Lithuania, Spain, and Canada – worked in interdisciplinary teams on four real-world challenges from business and society. The challenges were contributed to and accompanied by partner companies. The goal was to develop creative and feasible solutions, which were presented on the final day as an elevator pitch. The best teams were awarded Euro 1,000 each for their ideas.

Four challenges, many strong ideas, four winning teams

The winning team of the Kitzbüheler Anzeiger challenge impressed with Innojournalists – a cross-media format of short journalistic videos, interactive community challenges, and a supporting print column. The target group is young people, who are introduced to journalism in a low-threshold, hands-on way.

With the KufCampusApp, students created a platform tailored for fellow students: it bundles services such as a job board, bookstore, event calendar, forums, and a buddy program to support international peers. The app strengthens the sense of community and facilitates the start at FH Kufstein Tirol.

For textile service provider Stangelmayer, the Sustainable Textile Marketplace was developed. The app enables the distribution of cleaned, used textiles to NGOs, sports clubs, or design schools. This promotes reuse while sharpening the company’s sustainability profile.

Tuxplore, designed for the Tux-Finkenberg Tourism Association, combines gamification and augmented reality. Through digital challenges, point systems, and interactive tours, guests explore the region playfully – even in advance via the PrePlay function. The app especially appeals to younger, digitally savvy target groups.

Learning by doing – with a festival vibe

In addition to intensive project work, the supporting program offered inspiration and community: lectures, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and evening events around the campfire with BBQ and regional specialties, made possible by sponsors such as Flötzinger Bräu and the Hans Pfluger butchery. Thus, INNoCamp became not only a forge of innovation but also a place for exchange and encounters. The camp offered participants the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge directly in practice while fostering skills such as teamwork, communication, and entrepreneurial thinking.

A special highlight was the Experts Night, where numerous partners supported the student teams as coaches, providing valuable feedback on their interim results. In addition, representatives from business and academia advised the challenge-givers in the jury board when selecting the winning teams – ensuring that both innovative ideas and practical feasibility were considered.

#IdeasInAction goes international

For the first time, the entire camp was held in English – a step that proved right given the high number of international students. The international mix strengthened intercultural understanding and creative diversity in the solutions.

“The creative energy and team spirit of the students show how much potential lies in international collaboration. My special thanks go to the roughly 20 experts who contributed decisive impulses with their expertise, as well as to the INNoCrew for organizing the camp nights and supporting the participants. Planning for 2026 is already underway – companies and organizations interested in contributing a challenge are warmly invited to become part of the next INNoCamp. We are already looking forward to the new challenges at INNoCamp 2025 from April 20 to April 30, 2026.”, says Karin Steiner, Head of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol.

Links:

• Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Institute
• Leadership & Business Management | ft