Success with €7: Students prove their business instincts
- 11.08.2025
- Event Review
Finalists, jurors and coaches of the €7 Cash Project 2025.
How much can you achieve with seven euros in start-up capital? Quite a lot, as students at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol proved in the 7€ Cash 2025 competition. With creativity, entrepreneurial flair, and strong team spirit, they developed business ideas that they presented to a jury of experts at the end of June 2025.
In the €7 Cash 2025 competition held by the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, 23 students from the Business Management degree program (now Leadership & Business Management) demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit. As part of the Start-up Management course led by Dipl.-Kfm. Karin Steiner, university lecturer for Business Management, Entrepreneurship & Controlling, they worked in seven teams to develop innovative products and services within twelve weeks.
In the grand finale on 26 June 2025, the teams presented their achievements in a pitch to an external jury of experts from the fields of business and innovation promotion. The jury included Markus Ehrlenbach (FH Kufstein Tirol), Dr Stefan Gruber (Innsbruck Economics), Jenny Koller (Innovationsnetzwerk Kitzbühel), Larissa Kus (€7 Cash Entrepreneur 2023), Franziska Lässer, M.A. (Startup.Tirol), Sophia Mayer (Kufstein Chamber of Commerce), and Klaus Ossanna-Zala (Sparkasse Kufstein). Prize money totaling EUR 1,200 was awarded for the most convincing ideas.
FROM IDEA TO IMPLEMENTATION: FRAMEWORK AND MOTIVATION
However, it was a long road to the pitch in front of the jury, and the participants were specifically prepared for their entrepreneurial task beforehand. During an introductory phase lasting around three weeks, they received targeted support: Two intensive workshops helped them develop and assess their ideas, and the groups were also given an introduction to the MakersLab at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol to gain an impression of the resources and tools available to them on site.
With their detailed concepts, all teams held a consultation meeting with the Kufstein Chamber of Commerce. They received valuable feedback and specific tips on potential partner companies. Additional support came from four student coaches who had themselves participated in the €7 Cash Project the previous year. They assisted the teams in planning and implementing their projects and shared their practical experience.
Study coaches from the 2023 class of the Business Management degree program support participants with their expertise: Sophie Hemetsberger, Felix Grissemann, Christian Beis, and Clara Smetka (f.l.t.r.).
The business phase marked the high point of the program. Starting in the fourth week, the groups received their start-up capital and then had seven weeks to put their business ideas into practice. Following this intensive implementation phase, the active business period ended on 17 June with the closing of the cash registers.
EVERY YEAR SINCE THE PROJECT STARTED IN 2014, I HAVE BEEN SURPRISED BY THE CREATIVITY AND QUALITY OF THE BUSINESS IDEAS – BUT I AM EVEN MORE IMPRESSED BY HOW THEY ARE PUT INTO PRACTICE. ESPECIALLY IN THE AGE OF AI, IT IS CLEAR THAT REAL INNOVATION CAN ONLY BE SEEN THROUGH CONCRETE ACTIONS.
Karin Steiner
Initiator and Course Lecturer
All teams then worked on their business reports and prepared for the final presentation. During a dress rehearsal on 24 June, they were able to present their pitches and receive constructive feedback for final optimization. Two days later, on 26 June, the teams presented their projects in the grand finale before the expert jury, which decided on the awarding of the prize money.
Jenny Koller, Sophia Mayer, Larissa Kus, Franziska Lässer, Klaus Ossanna-Zala, Dr. Stefan Gruber, and Markus Ehrlenbach (not pictured) listened intently to the students' presentations (f.l.t.r.).
THE BEST IDEAS OF THE YEAR
First place went to Team Keramika, which impressed with handmade ceramic objects in calm colors. The business idea was clearly positioned: stylish, high-quality, individually designed one-of-a-kind pieces. Sales were made both through direct customer contact and social media, accompanied by a coherent brand concept. The team acted professionally throughout, worked with various partners, and carefully documented the entire process. With a profit of EUR 911.34, Keramika not only achieved the best assessment, but also the strongest economic result.
Pursuit Leather took second place: the students reinterpreted second-hand leather bags, gave them new value through branding and care and told an emotional story about each piece. The market development was creative, including the development of a dedicated website and a targeted customer approach.
Third place went to Soapz & Scrubz: The team developed exfoliating soaps based on natural ingredients, with a focus on self-care and conscious consumption. Distribution was handled through a personal customer network and online channels. Production was efficiently organized and the profit margin was solid. The project report was particularly impressive, with well-founded reflections and clear lessons learned.
In addition to the main prizes, a special prize was awarded for the best project video: With an emotional short clip for a restaurant in Kufstein, the StoryMakers team secured the prize for outstanding storytelling. The film was created as part of a self-organized event and impressed the jury with its authenticity, creativity, and technically flawless execution.
The video reflects the entrepreneurial journey of a team as part of the €7 Cash Project.
MORE CREATIVE BUSINESS IDEAS
UrbanElements combined craftsmanship with modern trend awareness. Inspired by TikTok, a collection of handmade vases and candle holders made of concrete was created. Thanks to the minimalist and durable design, the team transformed the classic building material into stylish decorative objects with urban charm.
INNMotion also impressed with its innovative approach. The team developed a compact range of services specifically for local small businesses. From video clips to AI-supported market studies, customers received everything from a single source—efficient, professional, and directly from Kufstein.
The Trachtenperle team brought a breath of fresh air to traditional costume fashion with a completely different concept. The four students from the International Business Studies degree program took part in the competition on their own initiative. With charm and humor, they designed handmade headbands and personalized clothes pegs with cheeky sayings. Direct sales at folk festivals impressively demonstrated that tradition can also be young, spontaneous, and lively.
DOING BUSINESS TOGETHER – DOING GOOD TOGETHER
The seven teams generated a total profit of EUR 3,502.43. After completing the project, the students donated the entire amount to charitable organizations of their choice - an impressive demonstration of corporate responsibility and social cohesion. If you would like to find out more, all of the projects and videos are available on the website and can be viewed at any time.
Links:
- Leadership & Business Management | ft
- Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Research Institute
- 7€-Cash Kufstein | Website
- 7€ Cash Kufstein | Event Series
- 7€ Cash Kufstein | YouTube
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