UpSteer 2024: Asseco awarded four most innovative startups
Bratislava, 26 November 2024 - Asseco has successfully concluded the second year of its incubation programme UpSteer, which supports ambitious Slovak and Czech startups. The programme, led by Jozef Klein, CEO of Asseco Central Europe, helped four selected companies to move their business ideas one step closer to success.
When the startup Appara started its journey, its team had the ambition to revolutionise health protection in urban environments. Their innovative face mask, which integrates smart technology to monitor air quality and health metrics, was still just an idea. Today, after seven months of intensive mentoring as part of the UpSteer innovation program, they are one step closer to seeing their product transform the market and help improve the health of millions of people. Their solution brings comfort and safety to athletes as well as at-risk populations. "UpSteer has helped us get a coherent business plan in place and moved us forward," Dominik Kadlubiak, leader of the startup Appara, evaluated the program. "We now go into business with a clear idea - whether financial or technological. If it weren't for Asseco, it would certainly have taken us a lot longer."
Prospective projects rewarded
Appara is one of four startups that successfully completed the second edition of the UpSteer business incubator, which again this year attracted companies from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The projects that successfully completed the programme not only received certificates of completion, new skills or a large network of professional contacts, but also, for example, an exclusive ticket to the Expandi 4.0 world conferences, which also includes travel expenses.
"These are promising projects with talented young entrepreneurs behind them. We believe that our programme has provided them with the necessary mentoring and couching, and the acquired know-how will help them overcome challenges and continue their development," said Jozef Klein, CEO of Asseco Central Europe, adding that the expert jury was guided not only by their business potential when selecting the startups, but also by their social responsibility and contribution to the community.
Smart solutions that save costs
Among the four companies that graduated from the UpSteer programme is Daitable. The latter has developed an advanced energy management system that uses artificial intelligence to optimise energy consumption in industrial plants. "Participating in UpSteer has allowed us not only to develop the product, but also to make contacts that open up new opportunities," says Šimon Staňo, CEO of Daitable.
Equally successful was Nordics.io, a startup that provides intelligent solutions for managing outsourced IT projects. Their platform, which uses AI to optimize the planning and selection of teams, helps clients save up to 20% on costs. "UpSteer showed us how to steer our company in the right direction and connected us with market experts and new talent," says Lukas Rezanina of Nordics.io.
Another successful young firm, Wiolp, in turn offers clients a global platform that connects financial institutions with potential heirs. This helps them to find unclaimed money in lost bank accounts or forgotten financial products. "UpSteer has helped us to improve our services and communication with regulators or financial institutions," adds Helen Raphanides of startup Wiolp.
Third edition coming soon
All entrepreneurial visionaries will be able to apply for the third edition of UpSteer early next year. Asseco will thus once again offer meaningful ideas the chance to transform into viable projects. The applicants have five different areas to choose from: banking, insurance, healthcare, Utility & Industry 4.0 or specialized IT solutions.
Keep an eye on our web report for more information: UpSteer by Asseco (upsteerinasseco.com)