Teraseya FLY is a unique solution to monitor, automatically, in real time the pest insects which are responsible of destroying 20% of the crops worldwide.

The „Plug and Play” device helps farmers to protect their crops while reducing the quantity of sprayed insecticides.

Last week, on November 3, the best 5 ideas out of the 15 that have entered the competition in Romania participated in the local finale of the BASF Innovation Hub contest.

The 5 finalist startups were: Teraseya FLY, Solarino, Aeroponix Robotics, R-Create, Carbon Smart and their solutions focused on more sustainable agriculture and reducing the use of plastic packaging.

“The innovation, especially in green technologies, helps the economies turn into more sustainable, more digital and more resilient ones”, said Sebastian Metz, CEO AHK Romania.

“We welcome the Romanian participation in this South and Central European competition and hope that the winning solutions will find application in the related industries. The BASF Innovation Hub Awards supports the innovative companies and start-ups to develop their ideas and strengthen the economies, especially in these challenging times. The realization of these ideas is welcome, as they directly or indirectly contribute to the widespread use of clean energy, smart mobility and sustainable agriculture.”

During the live event the start-ups presented their innovative ideas to the five members of the jury: Andreas Lier, Managing Director BASF Romania & Bulgaria; Sebastian Metz, CEO AHK Romania; Raluca Fiser, President and Board Member Green Revolution & Bravva Angels; Vlad Craioveanu, Managing Partner Impact Hub; Victor Negrescu, member of European Parliament and Vice-President of the Committee on Culture and Education.

The following day, on November 4, the winning startup of the Romanian local event faced the other 5 finalist startups from the region in the Grand Finale.

Finally, out of the 120 ideas that have entered the Grand Finale competition this year, the jury of the BASF Innovation Hub competition decided to choose two best innovators of the year instead of only one.

The startups ekolive from Slovakia and Holloid from Austria were both chosen as the great winners of the competition and rewarded with the grand prize.

Ekolive is the first and leading provider of an EU/ETV certified eco-innovative bioleaching method (InnoBioTech) for processing waste/minerals/soil using bacteria.

At the same time, Holloid's 24/7, real-time, image-based in-line monitoring helps producers of food, pharma and energy to reduce costs, improve quality and raise safety.

Leveraging artificial intelligence, Holloid shows what happens in bioreactors and in the environment.

“In light of current challenges and opportunities Innovations, startups and entrepreneurial spirit have been never more important than today”, concluded Andreas Lier, Managing Director BASF Romania & Bulgaria.

”The chemical industry is one of the cornerstones for a low-carbon future and develops innovations for this transition. We are honoured and pleased to have the opportunity to listen to local innovators and that they are sharing their innovative ideas, learn from them, connect, cooperate and offer support to make change together happen.”

BASF Innovation Hub contest was organized by a chemical company and European leader in the field of research and development, BASF, in partnership with AHK Romania locally. The contest was open for six months and organized in 11 countries of Central and Southeast Europe.

The winners of the local phases won 2500 euros each, whereas the best two ideas of the final phase, Grand Finale, were awarded additional 5000 euros each.