Student AI Startup Projects Pitched in Plovdiv at the Finals of the AI & I Factory /// Challenge 2.0
On November 27 in Plovdiv, pitching day with the innovative ideas created by students from the city within the second edition of the educational-entrepreneurial hackathon AI & I Factory /// Challenge 2.0 took place. The initiative was organized by AI Cluster Bulgaria and the Digital National Coalition. At the invitation of the organizers our CEO Ph.D. Maria Hristova attended the event.
In early November, the hackathon brought together teams with ideas in different fields all applying the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The students, along with their mentors, went through two weeks of workshops, lectures, and visits to technical labs that offered participants a comprehensive understanding of the role of AI in transforming various industries. Mentors helped students further develop their projects by sharing their practical experiences in areas such as software engineering, design thinking, business development, AI ethics, cybersecurity, healthcare, agriculture, industrial systems, and other fields.
Within the Hackathon, projects were created and presented in the following areas: Urban Agriculture (IoT, agriculture), Health (Health Tech & Early detection and Prevention); Industrial Manufacturing (Education Technology, VR, HR); Mental Health (Health Tech, Postnatal Depression, Food, Social Support) and a Platform to support children with SEN (Education Technology, Emotional Intelligence & Social Support). Each of the solutions presented apply AI.
The five startup ideas of students from Plovdiv were presented within three minutes for each idea, after which the experts in the hall had five minutes to ask questions and evaluate the potential of the products and services born in the hackathon.
The competition continued with a networking party for all guests, young entrepreneurs and investors, who joined the event to exchange ideas.
AI & I Fáctory is a joint educational and entrepreneurial initiative led by the Digital National Coalition and the Artificial Intelligence Cluster Bulgaria, with the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation. The project’s main goal is to deepen children and youth understanding of the key role and transformational potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the modern world. The second edition for students and projects from Plovdiv was organised jointly with the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, the Medical University of Plovdiv. Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”, Technical University – Sofia, Plovdiv Branch, and the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv.
