On September 28, during this year's IT Arena, the winners of the Startup Competition 2024 were announced. This year featured two competition tracks: the main category and a special category for developments in defense technologies and cybersecurity. The total prize fund for both categories was $30,000 each, with an additional $25,000 allocated for impact startups. The total investment fund reached $5 million.
Winners of the main track:
- $15,000: Extra Vision – a startup developing MR technology to create 3D models from CT or MRI scans available for virtual reality glasses.
- $10,000: Bliss Brain – a meditation app that uses AI to analyze user needs and preferences to enhance their experience.
- $5,000: Aspichi Luminify – a startup developing a VR platform for interactive streaming of 360-degree spatial video and audio in VR headsets, used by medical professionals in psychotherapy.
Winners of the Defense track:
- $15,000: Oko Camera – a startup producing thermal imaging modules for robotic systems, participating in the Techosystem Defense cluster for defense technologies.
- $10,000: Vidar Systems – a startup specializing in acoustic technologies, working at the intersection of military defense and security systems.
- $5,000: NORDA Dynamics – a startup developing an autonomous drone piloting system for operations in environments without connectivity.
Finalists of the main track included:
- Metatable.ai – a startup helping developers prototype, create, and implement backend applications using generative AI.
- xTiles – an application for organizing workspace, allowing users to create and arrange notes, plan meetings, and manage projects.
- Humancreed – a platform supporting Ukrainian displaced children in finding their purpose, aiming to nurture a motivated, talented, and ambitious generation.
Other finalists in the special Defense track:
- Deftak – a defense startup developing algorithms for autonomous flights, including smart bombs that can quickly and automatically target.
- UAVSoul – a startup developing drone systems adapted for harsh weather conditions.
- Kraken – focused on developing advanced maritime drones.
Social impact category winners:
- $15,000: LifesaverSIM – a gaming simulator for developing life-saving skills.
- $10,000: SYLA – a startup developing an AI-based leg prosthesis using neural networks.
IT Arena is one of Eastern Europe's largest tech conferences, held in Lviv since 2014, attracting over 5,000 attendees from more than 40 countries each year. Over the last decade, IT Arena has hosted 10 editions, welcoming 25,000 visitors and 800 speakers from 53 countries.
