BUT Student Entrepreneurship Award: The best ideas are heading to the finals

BUT students demonstrate what innovation means in practice. Nineteen teams presented their ideas to an expert evaluation committee composed of representatives from BUT and JIC as part of the second round of the BUT Student Entrepreneurship Award competition. The 10 best ideas advanced to the finals, which will take place in the spring of 2026.

The finalists for the BUT Student Entrepreneurship Award have been announced. | Author: Václav Koníček

In the second and third rounds, students present the meaningfulness, sustainability, and business potential of their ideas. The same was true in the second stage of the 6th annual competition. Based on the recommendations of the evaluation committee, BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček, who is also the competition’s initiator, decided that the following projects advance to the third round and receive financial support:

  • Denis Růžička, Faculty of Civil Engineering, UniBOT – a smart university chatbot that helps students navigate and find information within the university environment.
  • Miroslav Pejř, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, PrintrBot – automation of 3D printing farms for companies and workshops.
  • Viliam Horečka, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, VIFAME DIGITAL – an ecosystem for lighting and handling technologies.
  • Jan Lindovský, Faculty of Information Technology, SOFOS – a solid food system – a minimalist and affordable information system designed for small gastronomic businesses.
  • Erik Čapkovič, Faculty of Information Technology, FitHub – a modern fitness application combining workout and nutrition systems.
  • Šimon Pekař, Faculty of Business and Management, CyrcID – a digital product passport (DPP) for fashion products.
  • Lucie Oborná, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, CueBleed – a training device that simulates arterial and venous bleeding.
  • Michal Svoboda, Faculty of Business and Management, BIO-TARGET – a biodegradable shooting target designed for trap and skeet sports disciplines.
  • Klaudia Ďugelová, Faculty of Fine Arts, DIY_Do It Yourself – a designer erotic and therapeutic aid.
  • Vojtěch Oravec, Faculty of Business and Management, Ranketta – a tool that helps prioritize within language models (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude).


The students presented their ideas to a panel of experts. | Author: Václav Koníček

The innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem contriBUTe, of which the Let’s Do Business! project is a part, connects education, opportunities, events, resources, and contacts in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship. It supports talent development and helps students take the next step on their journey to success. It contributes to transforming ideas into real businesses. The sixth edition of the competition once again shows that BUT students have a strong entrepreneurial mindset that is deeply embedded in their approach to education and life. The competition not only promotes innovation but also creates a bridge between the academic environment and the real business world, as demonstrated by examples of good practice.

Second round of the BUT Student Entrepreneurship Award competition. | Author: Václav Koníček

“JIC has been part of this competition since the very beginning, and we are thrilled to see so many innovative and ambitious student ideas year after year. From our daily work with aspiring entrepreneurs and from international research, it is clear that financial support at the early stages of entrepreneurship significantly increases the chance of success. However, the competition at BUT gives its students more than just initial capital. It enables them to inspire and motivate each other, receive feedback from business professionals, and gain practical experience in developing their own entrepreneurial ideas. Their alma mater thus actively develops not only field-specific competencies but also helps students expand their career horizons far beyond traditional employment. Among the competition’s alumni, we can already see successful startups that continue to grow. With such startups, the success of the university grows as well. That is why it makes sense for the university to continue supporting these activities in the long term,” says Veronika Chválková, who has long been involved in supporting entrepreneurship in higher education.

We thank all project representatives for their participation and congratulate the advancing projects!


Published
Link https://www.vut.cz/en/contribute/f143282/d306819

Responsibility: Ing. Michaela Indruchová