HSTRY at the Creative Business Cup
Thomas Ketchell
I'm always amazed at all the creative companies and startups which are bringing innovation to various old and tired lines of business. HSTRY was fortunate to be chosen as one of the most creative organizations in our native Belgium and we got to compete at the Creative Business Cup which took place in Copenhagen. We were accompanied by the friendly folks at St'art Invest which make various investments across creative industries in Wallonia and are making a real change to the creative scene in the low country.
A total of fifty-one countries were represented at the event and unfortunately we didn't make the final cut with our interactive timelines (it was highly competitive). Here are my five favorite companies who we met in Copenhagen and who I think are building something worthwhile:
CTAdventure (http://www.professor-why.com/) - Poland
This team from Poland were the overall winners of the Creative Business Cup. I was happy to see an educational organization win. They have developed an interactive computer game that teaches science. They are using augmented reality to get kids to experiment and learn chemistry. Will be interesting to see how they develop as they add more suites of games.
Pickld (https://www.pickld.me/) - Philippines
I was really impressed with this product and was surprised they didn't make the finals. Pickld is an easy way to tell a story through photos. Everyday, you can place eight photos into a 'selfie' timeline which is then put into an easy to digest storyboard. You are then able to share that story with your friends and look back on various days to reminisce.
Original Unverpackt (http://original-unverpackt.de/) - Germany
Original Unverpackt is the first supermarket chain to provide a full range of products while abstaining from the use of disposable packaging materials. They are offering consumers an easy option to live a more environmentally friendly-life. A real neat and original idea which has received a lot of press coverage from around the world. The German duo are onto something that can create a major shift in people's shopping habits and behavior. Looking forward to seeing more of these shops pop up around the world.
zuta labs (http://www.zutalabs.com) - Israel
I was really impressed with this Israeli startup and the traction they have managed to receive over the last few months. They have built the smallest printer in the world that can print on any size of paper. It's the first real mobile printer as it's a robotic mini-printer that runs on paper instead of paper being fed through the device. They managed to raise over $500k through their Kickstarter campaign . Keep your eyes peeled for their big launch at the CES 2015.
Pocket Sky (http://pocket-sky.com/) - Austria
Blue light fights winter blues and seasonal affective disorders, reduces jet lag and gives you an extra energy boost. Pocket Sky has built the world's smallest wearable device: an ultra thin light bow just 4mm wide which delivers the light of a clear blue summer sky to your eyes. I recommend you take a look at their website as I loved the design of the Pocket Sky. I hope their product really takes off!
Thank you to Florence Hespel from St'art Invest for all the support in Copenhagen and for all of those that sent us messages wishing us luck. We left Copenhagen inspired and full of creative ideas to take home and apply to HSTRY.