“Evocco” from Ireland wins the Josef Umdasch Research Prize 2020

Press

Within the framework of this year’s Josef Umdasch Research Prizethe umdasch Store Makers were looking for smart answers to the question regarding resource-saving concepts for tomorrow’s Point of Sale. Just before the coronavirus shutdown, the five finalists presented their forward-looking ideas in the Talent Garden in Vienna on 11 March. The Irish start-up “Evocco” convinced the international jury of experts with a consumer app which shows the ecological footprint by scanning the invoice. The winner is already working together with the Store Makers on the strategic further development of the solution.

With 170 entries from 53 countries the “Call for Ideas” for this year’s Josef Umdasch Research Prize surpassed the good response of recent years. “As a result of our cooperation with the World Summit Awards, which we initiated in 2017, we can reach a unique network of thought leaders and visionaries from all over the world,” was the enthusiastic comment from Dr. Andreas J. Ludwig, CEO of the Umdasch Group.

The five nominees who went forward following the jury’s preliminary selection last December were Chekkit from Nigeria, Evocco from Ireland, Fixture Farmer from Germany and Novalia and Ordito from Austria. They all presented exciting and wide-ranging ideas and concepts with regard to the subject “Responsible Consumption Through Digitalisation”.

Digitalisation and sustainability drive innovation in the retail sector

The purchasing behaviour of consumers and hence the retail scene as such have changed enormously during the past decade. For retailers a sustainable use of resources is very much the order of the day, as is also the integration of judicious amounts of digital developments. There is no doubt that digitalisation and sustainability are advancing innovations in the retail landscape. What we need now are concrete solutions with prospects of economic success.

“As one of the world’s Top Ten shopfitting companies we aim to find integral answers to the major questions concerning the future of retailing. The Josef Umdasch Research Prize is helping us in our endeavours,” explained Silvio Kirchmair, CEO umdasch The Store Makers, during the course of the pitch presentations.

Great personalities and exciting concepts – during their pitches the five finalists sparkled with inspiration and enthusiasm for their projects.

Great potential for the Evocco app

Ahmad Mu´azzam, the founder of Evocco, convinced the international jury of experts with an app which calculates the ecological footprint of food purchases. Consumers scan their invoice and are informed about the current level of CO₂ emissions. Thereafter the users are offered tips and recommendations for a more sustainable lifestyle based on their purchase behaviour. The aim is to prompt the long-term development of awareness and change on the part of consumers.

“With Evocco we are working with a young Irish company, which comes from a very lively start-up scene at our side. We hope to profit from this spirit. I see great potential in their app solution. A multi-disciplinary team of umdasch experts will support the founder Ahmad Mu´azzam in implementing his ambitious visions,” commented Silvio Kirchmair.

Ahmad Mu´azzam is presented with the winner’s certificate by Silvio Kirchmair, CEO umdasch The Store Makers (left), and Dr. Andreas J. Ludwig, CEO Umdasch Group (right).

A second finalist, Ordito, can also look forward to very promising future perspectives. Umdasch Group Ventures, the youngest member of the Umdasch Group that is focused on new technologies and business models, is offering the Austrian start-up a cooperation. Ordito is working on an AI (artificial intelligence) solution which will reduce the waste of fresh products in the retail sector.

The jury of the Josef Umdasch Research Prize 2020 consisted of international experts from the retail and start-up scene.

Subject: “Responsible Consumption Through Digitalisation”
The Call for Ideas was directed towards start-ups and innovators from around the world.
A total of 170 start-ups and students from 53 countries had entered the competition by the end of November 2019.
The pitch presentations by the finalists and the presentation of the Prize were held on 11 March 2020. Because of the measures for the containment of the coronavirus which had already been introduced at this point, the awards ceremony was held on a small scale in the Talent Garden in Vienna.
As the winner of the Josef Umdasch Research Prize 2020, the Irish start-up “Evocco” has the chance to further develop its CO₂ footprint app together with umdasch The Store Makers.
Since 2018 the Josef Umdasch Research Prize has been awarded in cooperation with the World Summit Awards (WSA).

Photo Credit: (C) Philipp Benedikt