Innovation World Cup Series

What Innovation World Cup Series does

Innovation World Cup Series, operated by Techpreneurs GmbH, is a German-headquartered open innovation competition platform founded in 2003 and based in Herrsching a. Ammersee. The company organizes free-to-enter technology competitions across more than fifteen verticals including IoT, wearable technologies, healthcare/MedTech, smart construction, cyber AI, XR healthcare, and smart clothing. Its core function is to connect early-stage tech startups, scale-ups, and SMEs with industry partners, investors, and a network of more than 70 regional ICT clusters, with thousands of contestants from over 80 countries having participated cumulatively.

The platform's underlying product is a multi-competition infrastructure combining a self-serve online submission system at platform.innovationworldcup.com with annual pitch and award ceremonies hosted at major international trade fairs including Hannover Messe, MEDICA, BIM World MUNICH, and the WT Wearable Technologies Conferences. Each competition is themed around a vertical technology focus and is typically co-branded with a flagship sponsor — for example, the ST Innovation Challenge is powered by STMicroelectronics (providing SensorTile.box PRO, STWIN.box, and Edge AI development kits), the Smart Clothing Challenge is powered by AiQ Smart Clothing, and the VIVE XR Healthcare Challenge is powered by HTC VIVE. Winners and finalists are showcased in a public Hall of Fame that includes alumni such as Sigfox, ProGlove, Mio Global, and Carin, providing reputational and deal-flow reinforcement for subsequent cycles.

Revenue is generated through competition sponsorship and event partnership arrangements rather than participant fees, since all contestant participation is free. Corporate sponsors and technology partners — including STMicroelectronics, EBV Elektronik, Würth Elektronik, HTC VIVE, AiQ, Google Cloud, Ericsson, Intel, Swisscom, Samsung, Telefonica, Telit, VARTA, ESMT, and GIZ — fund specific competition categories, supply development kits and prizes worth over $500,000 in aggregate, and host award ceremonies. The company is privately held as a German GmbH with no disclosed funding rounds or external investment, and is led by managing directors Christian Stammel and Dr. Maximilian Rupprecht alongside a small project team.

Name

Innovation World Cup Series

Legal name

Techpreneurs GmbH

Website

https://innovationworldcup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Innovation World Cup Series, operated by Techpreneurs GmbH, is a German open-innovation competition platform running free-to-enter technology competitions across IoT, wearables, healthcare, smart construction, cyber AI, and XR verticals, connecting startups and SMEs with corporate sponsors and 70+ ICT clusters worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Open Innovation Competition Platform

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers (THAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Awards Ceremonies & Competitions (Judging, Voting) (MPAGAOAN), Healthcare, Medical Devices & Pharma Shows Organizers (THAHABAH)

Keywords

• Open innovation competitions
• IoT innovation platform
• Wearable tech challenges
• Startup pitch events
• MedTech innovation contests

Headquarters

HQ city

Herrsching Am Ammersee

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Competition Sponsorship: The company generates revenue through various sponsorship arrangements with technology companies and industry partners who sponsor specific competition categories and prizes.
2. Event Partnerships: Revenue generated through partnerships with major trade fairs and events including Hannover Messe, MEDICA, BIM World MUNICH, and Wearable Technologies Conferences.
3. Free Competition Participation: Participation in the Innovation World Cup Series is completely free of charge for contestants. The company provides this as a free service to connect techpreneurs with industry partners and investors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Innovation World Cup Series operates a portfolio of 15+ themed open-innovation competitions (including the flagship IoT/WT Innovation World Cup, ST Innovation Challenge, Healthcare Innovation World Cup, Smart Clothing Challenge, MEDICA Start-Up Competition and others) for startups, scaleups and SMEs developing DeepTech, IoT, wearable, AI and MedTech solutions. Corporate sponsors (STMicroelectronics, HTC VIVE, EBV Elektronik, Würth Elektronik, AiQ Smart Clothing and others) fund prize pools, development kits and dedicated categories, while participants enter free of charge through an online submission platform. Pitch and award events are co-hosted with premier trade fairs such as Hannover Messe, MEDICA, BIM World MUNICH and WT Wearable Technologies Conferences.

Product overview

Innovation World Cup Series is an open innovation platform organizing over 15 distinct competition programs across DeepTech verticals including IoT, wearable technologies, healthcare/MedTech, smart construction, cyber AI, and XR. The platform operates as a central hub connecting techpreneurs with 70+ industry partners and ICT clusters globally. Core offerings include the flagship Innovation World Cup competition plus specialized challenges (ST Innovation Challenge, WT Innovation World Cup, Healthcare Innovation World Cup, MEDICA Start-Up Competition, Smart Building/Construction IWC, Cyber AI IWC, Hong Kong MedTech IWC, VIVE XR Healthcare Challenge, Smart Clothing Challenge, EBV Innovation Hero). Supporting services include a free development kits program, Hall of Fame recognition, and an online submission platform. Participation is free with access to pitch events at major trade shows (Hannover Messe, MEDICA, BIM World Munich, WT Conferences).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IoT/WT Innovation World Cup: Main competition category for Internet of Things and Wearable Technologies innovations.
• Healthcare Innovation World Cup
• ST Innovation Challenge
• Smart Clothing Challenge
• MEDICA Start-Up Competition
• Smart Building and Construction IWC
• Cyber AI Innovation World Cup
• Hong Kong MedTech Innovation World Cup
• VIVE XR Healthcare Challenge
• Football Docs Innovation World Cup
• EBV Innovation Hero

Products and services

• Innovation World Cup (IoT/WT flagship) Flagship open-innovation competition of the Innovation World Cup Series for startups, scaleups and SMEs developing DeepTech, IoT, AI and wearable technologies. Connects techpreneurs with industry sponsors, jurying and pitch stages at major trade fairs.
• ST Innovation Challenge STMicroelectronics-powered special-prize competition for startups and SMEs developing context-aware electronic solutions spanning sensors, processing, connectivity and Edge AI. Includes partner-supplied development kits such as SensorTile.box PRO and STWIN.box.
• Healthcare Innovation World Cup Themed competition for HealthTech and MedTech innovators developing smart health devices, medical wearables, digital biomarkers, electroceuticals and intelligent patches. Runs alongside MEDICA pitch events.
• WT Innovation World Cup Wearable Technologies Conference-powered competition for body-worn devices, smart apparel and wearable electronics, with finals at WT events in Europe, USA and Asia.
• MEDICA Start-Up Competition Medical-startup pitch competition held at the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM during the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf, focused on MedTech, digital health and connected care solutions.
• Smart Building and Construction Innovation World Cup Competition for smart-construction and BIM innovations co-hosted with BIM World MUNICH, targeting startups with building-sector sensing, monitoring and digital-twin solutions.
• Cyber AI Innovation World Cup Competition category for startups applying artificial intelligence to cybersecurity use cases, supported through the Cyber AI Expo and allied partner network.
• Hong Kong MedTech Innovation World Cup Regional MedTech innovation competition powered by FHKI, MEIC, Time Interconnect and HKSTP, hosted at the WT Wearable Technologies Conference Hong Kong.
• Smart Clothing Challenge Special-prize competition powered by AiQ Smart Clothing targeting innovations in smart textiles, bio-signal acquisition, IMU-based motion capture and electronics integrated into clothing.
• VIVE XR Healthcare Challenge Special-prize challenge powered by HTC VIVE for extended-reality solutions in healthcare, covering VR/AR/MR applications for medical training, therapy and patient care.
• EBV Innovation Hero Special prize by EBV Elektronik that automatically includes all European contestants in the EBV Innovation Hero competition, connecting European techpreneurs with components, technical support and EBV expertise.
• Football Docs Innovation World Cup Innovation competition focused on sports-technology solutions for football, including athlete monitoring, performance analytics and smart sports equipment.
• TOP 100 Impact Companies Initiative by ESMT, GIZ, Techprnrs, GICA and PHINEO recognizing impact companies making significant contributions to sustainable development as part of the Innovation World Cup Series.
• Innovation World Cup Competition Platform Online submission platform at platform.innovationworldcup.com that handles participant registration, multi-competition form submission, pitch-deck and media uploads, draft saving and progress tracking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of contestants from over 80 countries have taken part in the competitions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

43 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major, regional and minor.

• STMicroelectronicsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026STMicroelectronics sponsors the ST Innovation Challenge as part of the Innovation World Cup Series. Provides development kits including SensorTile.box PRO, STEVAL-NBIOTV1, STWIN.box, ST Edge AI Suite, and ST AIoT Craft tools. Connects with startups developing context-aware systems combining sensing, processing, connectivity, and Edge AI solutions.
• Techprnrs (Techpreneurs GmbH)coreOthers
• HTG VIVEflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTC VIVE powers The VIVE XR Healthcare Challenge, a special prize of the Healthcare Innovation World Cup focused on extended reality solutions for healthcare applications.
• Google CloudmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing cloud infrastructure and services for Innovation World Cup Series participants.
• EricssonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supporting the Innovation World Cup Series with connectivity and IoT expertise.
• IntelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner providing support for Innovation World Cup Series competitions.
• EBV ElektronikmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBV Elektronik powers the EBV Innovation Hero initiative to connect and accelerate European Techpreneurs. Automatically includes all European contestants in the EBV Innovation Hero competition.
• SwisscommajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing telecommunications and IoT expertise.
• Würth ElektronikmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides development kits and technical support for Innovation World Cup participants. Part of Würth's open innovation initiatives with startups.
• SamsungmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner supporting Innovation World Cup Series competitions.
• TelefonicamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecommunications partner providing connectivity and IoT expertise.
• TelitmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT module and connectivity partner supporting Innovation World Cup.
• VARTA MicrobatterymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides power solutions and development kits for Innovation World Cup participants.
• AiQ Smart ClothingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAiQ Smart Clothing powers the Smart Clothing Challenge, looking for cutting-edge innovations in smart textiles, bio-signal acquisition, and wearable technology integration into clothing.
• Hannover MesseflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor trade fair partner hosting Innovation World Cup pitch and award ceremonies. The world's premier event for industrial transformation with 6,500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors.
• MEDICAflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld's largest medical trade fair hosting Healthcare Innovation World Cup and MEDICA Start-Up Competition pitch ceremonies at the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM.
• BIM World MUNICHflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor smart building and construction industry event hosting Smart Building and Construction Innovation World Cup competitions.
• WT | Wearable TechnologiesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWearable Technologies Conference hosts WT Innovation World Cup finals and award ceremonies at events in Europe, USA, and Asia.
• CSEMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss research center providing technical expertise and evaluation support.
• VDMAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Engineering Federation providing industry expertise and networking opportunities.
• AlpICTregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional ICT cluster partner in the Alpine region supporting local innovators.
• BioAlps AssociationregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss biotech and medtech cluster partner.
• ACCIOregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatalonia's business and competitiveness agency supporting regional participation.
• Business OULUregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional business development organization in Oulu, Finland.
• Business FranceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench business development agency supporting French startup participation.
• Business FinlandregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinnish innovation and business development organization.
• Wolves SummitmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational deal-making event partner providing networking opportunities.
• Medical ValleyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman medical technology cluster supporting healthcare innovators.
• UnternehmerTUMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading German startup hub and innovation center providing expertise.
• Stanford UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research connections and startup ecosystem links.
• TechBBQmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNordic startup summit partner for Innovation World Cup activities.
• Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong MedTech Innovation World Cup partner supporting Asian medtech innovation.
• Invest in BavariaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBavarian investment promotion organization supporting regional participation.
• IoTWeekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIoT industry event partner for Innovation World Cup activities.
• InnosuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Innovation Agency supporting Swiss startup participation.
• ITRIregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTaiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute supporting Asian innovation.
• ESMTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESMT Berlin initiates TOP 100 Impact Companies recognition as part of the Innovation World Cup Series.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency supporting sustainable innovation initiatives.
• GICAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in TOP 100 Impact Companies initiative for impact recognition.
• PHINEOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman nonprofit analysis organization supporting impact company evaluation.
• FHKI (Federation of Hong Kong Industries)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong MedTech Innovation World Cup partner supporting regional participation.
• MEICregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong MedTech Innovation World Cup partner.
• Time InterconnectregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHong Kong MedTech Innovation World Cup partner supporting tech innovation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pioneers (Pioneers Festival / Pioneers 500): Vienna-based DeepTech and early-stage tech event and pitch competition with curated startup selection, similar European DeepTech focus and corporate partner-driven model.
• Slush: Northern European founder-led tech conference and startup pitch competition held annually in Helsinki with significant sponsor ecosystem, comparable scale and event-based GTM in the startup/tech category.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform running corporate-sponsored accelerator batches and startup pitch events with deep corporate partnerships (similar to IWC's STMicroelectronics and EBV relationships), connecting startups with enterprise pilots.
• TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield: Premier global startup pitch competition with judging, awards, and high-visibility finals at TechCrunch Disrupt, operating a similar contest-and-stage business model aimed at early-stage tech founders.
• Startup Autobahn (Plug and Play Europe): European corporate-startup innovation platform (operated by Plug and Play) running themed DeepTech/mobility pitch programs with major OEMs (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, etc.), directly comparable to IWC's STMicroelectronics/EBV corporate-startup model.
• MassChallenge: Global no-equity startup accelerator and competition running themed industry programs (healthtech, fintech, etc.) with corporate sponsorship, in a comparable model that uses free participation funded by partners.
• Hello Tomorrow: Global DeepTech startup competition operator running themed challenges and pitch events across Europe and worldwide, with similar funding/partnership-driven model targeting early-stage science and deep tech ventures.

Broad incumbents

• Web Summit: Large global tech conference and PITCH competition, operating at significantly larger scale than IWC but overlapping in the startup pitch competition category with sponsorship-based revenue model.
• CES Innovation Awards: Annual awards program at the world's largest consumer electronics trade show, very comparable as a juried technology innovation awards program with consumer/IoT category overlap (e.g., wearable tech, smart home, digital health).

Regional players

• BIME - Startup Competition @ Hannover Messe (Industrial): Industrial/automation startup competition ecosystem co-located at Hannover Messe, directly overlapping in geographic and vertical space with IWC's ST Innovation Challenge hosted at the same trade fair.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iwcnavispace
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NavispaceAG
• Facebookfacebook.com/iwcseries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovationworldcup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Innovation World Cup Series