Innovative Youth Festival in Odesa
The first youth innovation festival Brain Fest: “Summer of Ideas” took place in Odesa, organized within the R&D Hub project with the support of the Odesa Regional State Administration.
The event brought together 24 teams of students from vocational colleges and technical schools, who presented their startup ideas in fields like IT, design, urbanism, and education.
It served as a vibrant platform for showcasing creativity, technical skills, and entrepreneurship among youth, while also facilitating partnerships and mentorship opportunities for further development.
An esteemed jury comprising representatives from government, business, and the public sector evaluated the projects.
The winners of the Brain Fest were:
1st place — the team “Honest and Open” (Odesa Pedagogical College).
The project is an online support platform for teens and youth, providing anonymous communication, sharing stories, and emotional support on tough topics like bullying and mental health issues.
2nd place — the team “FeedPaws” (Odesa National Technical University).
The idea involves an engineering-social project for a “smart” feeder for stray cats, equipped with facial recognition, controlled feeding, and surveillance features.
3rd place — the team “Falcon’s Nest” (Odesa Professional Service College). The students presented an eco-bag for FPV drones, designed for safely delivering supplies to military personnel in conflict zones.
The winners received valuable prizes, but the experience gained was even more significant.
“Creative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit are what shape the future of a strong and innovative Ukraine. By investing in the ideas of young Ukrainians, we are laying the foundation for a competitive future,” stated the organizers.
Brain Fest became not only a celebration of ideas but also a practical tool for engaging youth in real change. All participants had the chance to find mentors and partners for scaling their projects.
We sincerely thank all participants, the jury, and partners for their inspiration, support, and belief in the youth of Odesa!
