Press Release 31st May 2024

Successful meet-up event series: around 70 local start-ups and farmers presented their product innovations to BILLA

In order to encourage the pioneering spirit of young entrepreneurs and to always be able to offer customers the latest food trends on the market shelves, BILLA is on the lookout for innovations in various formats. One important event is the Meet up event series, which BILLA launched together with Erste Bank und Sparkassen and Clever Clover and is aimed specifically at creative minds from the Austrian start-up scene and agriculture.

A group of ten people in formal and semi-formal attire standing in a grocery store aisle, with produce like tomatoes and asparagus visible in the foreground. A sign in German is visible above them.

(f.l.t.r.): Bernhard Kreuzer (BILLA Sales Manager), Thomas Hemmelmayr (BILLA Regionality Manager), Markus Kuntke (Head of Trend and Innovation at REWE International AG), Hannes Gruber (BILLA Sales Director), Birgit Polster (Startup Finance Expert GründerCenter Erste Bank), Jörg Tomantschger (Senior Expert Clever Clover), Songül Weissenbacher (BILLA Fresh Food Manager), Patrick Götz (Managing Director Tiroler Sparkasse), Gerhard Narr (Founder Centre Tiroler Sparkasse) and Gerhard Schmid (BILLA Regionality Manager) were delighted with the successful meet-up event in Innsbruck. / Copyright: © Thomas Steinlechner - Abdruck zu redaktionellen Zwecken honorarfrei., Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

Focus on young entrepreneurs from all over Austria at Meet up event series from 20 March to 22 May 2024
Around 70 participants received valuable advice from top experts in the industry for the further development of their products
From exotic fruit spreads, innovative pizza dough and new types of iced tea - a variety of product ideas emphasises the innovative spirit of Austrians

At the recent meet-ups - one per federal state - participants were able to get free coaching from experienced industry experts in the form of speed dating sessions. Around 70 start-ups and farmers took the opportunity to get advice on their product ideas from Birgit Polster, start-up finance expert at GründerCenter Erste Bank, Heinrich Prokop, CEO of Clever Clover and Markus Kuntke, Head of Trend and Innovation at REWE International AG.

Markus Kuntke, Head of Trend and Innovation at REWE International AG: ‘As the BILLA family, we are committed to supporting local producers and their innovations. That's why I'm particularly pleased that the Meet up event series has been so well received in all federal states. I was once again impressed by the diversity of ideas. We exchanged ideas with around 70 founders and farmers about their products, gave them helpful tips and passed them on. We are already in the process of obtaining the necessary certifications and other services for over 20 products in order to offer them a platform at BILLA and one of the largest distribution networks in the domestic food retail sector."

Birgit Polster, Startup Finance Expert GründerCenter at Erste Bank: ‘Together with my colleagues at the savings banks, our goal is to support the pioneering spirit of startups and farmers and their belief in themselves and their product. Our approach is that financial resources should not be an obstacle to innovation. In the very personal discussions, we were able to discuss together how a financial realisation of the ‘go-to-market’ phase could be feasible. We look forward to seeing many start-ups and farmers again at the #glaubandich STARTUP ACADEMY on 12 and 13 September 2024 in Vienna at Erste Campus. Here they will have the opportunity to further refine their product and business strategy with over 65 mentors."

Heinrich Prokop, CEO of Clever Clover: ‘As part of the Start-up Ticket initiative, my team and I have not only got to know many new ideas in recent months, but also great teams and founders. We've all known for many years that it's always the people behind the products that count. Personally, I was particularly struck by the quality and professionalism of the pitches this year. Rarely have I had so many - in some cases market-ready - projects at the table. The Clever Clover colleagues will continue to support the founders over the next few weeks and we are convinced that some products and ideas will be on the shelves by the end of 2024."

Innovative new products from all over Austria

Exciting new products were presented to the Expert:innen team at the individual meet-ups in Neusiedl am See, Seiersberg, Klagenfurt, Salzburg, Wels, Vienna, Hohenems, Innsbruck and St. Pölten. The variety ranged from exotic fruit spreads, innovative pizza dough, edamame and iced tea varieties to much more, generating enthusiasm among the coaches. Further discussions are currently being held on more than 20 of the products presented in order to pave the way for their listing in BILLA, BILLA PLUS and BILLA Corso stores.