“The Waltz of Pioneers” – Celebrating Europe’s Top Early-Stage spin-offs

As part of the ViennaUP Festival, The Waltz of Pioneers took place on May 12th, 2025, at TU Wien – an event spotlighting academic spin-offs from across Europe. Organized by the TU Wien Innovation Incubation Center (i²c) and powered by the EULiST European University Alliance, the event marked the launch of the first-ever EULiST pan-European spin-off pitch competition.

The competition brought together participants from 28 countries and nine leading European universities, each showcasing their most innovative ventures through ten inspiring pitches spanning a diverse range of industries. TU Wien was represented by co2ol Catalyst, a pioneering startup converting CO₂ into methanol – a crucial step toward a more sustainable future.

A jury of experts provided feedback and posed insightful questions, while the networking session that followed gave spin-offs the opportunity to connect directly with investors and key figures from Europe’s innovation ecosystem. The event was further supported by the Austrian Business Agency, the Vienna Business Agency, and TU Wien’s SpinOff Factory.

Competition Highlights:

Best EULiST Spin-off 2025: Replico (IMT, France) – awarded for their 3D-printed anatomical models with integrated nerve structures. The team received a €3,000 prize sponsored by SpinOff Factory and a media package from Brutkasten.

X-ECD took second place and was awarded a professionally produced promotional video.

The Waltz of Pioneers not only celebrated Europe’s vibrant academic spin-offs but also strengthened the cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange at the heart of the EULiST Alliance.