No April Fools’ joke – on April 1st, 2025, TAGBASE had the incredible opportunity to take the stage at the Startup World Cup Pre-Final in Vienna (https://www.startupworldcup-austria.com/). Our CEO & Co-Founder, Manuel Mertl, delivered a powerful pitch showcasing our vision and product, and we couldn’t be more proud of the experience!
A World-Class Event for Startups
The Startup World Cup Austria is one of the most prestigious competitions for startups, bringing together innovative minds, investors, and industry leaders to celebrate and support groundbreaking ideas. The event was expertly organized by invest.austria and AustrianStartups, two key players in fostering the Austrian and European startup ecosystem. Their commitment to entrepreneurship was evident in every aspect of the event, from the high-quality pitches to the invaluable networking opportunities.
The pre-final in Vienna was held at the Ottakringer Brauerei, an iconic venue that provided the perfect setting for an evening filled with innovation, inspiration, and collaboration. The energy in the room was electric, with some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds showcasing their groundbreaking ideas in front of a distinguished jury and an enthusiastic audience.
The Jury and Competition
The jury was composed of some of the most respected figures in the startup and investment world, including:
- Werner Müller – A well-known industry expert with deep experience in scaling startups.
- Eva Arh – A prominent investor with a keen eye for emerging innovations.
- Markus Wagner – A seasoned entrepreneur and mentor with a track record of supporting successful ventures.
- Johann ‘Hansi’ Hansmann – One of Austria’s most renowned business angels, backing numerous successful startups.
Their insights and expertise provided invaluable feedback to all participating startups, making the competition not just an opportunity to pitch but also a learning experience.
TAGBASE’s Journey and Pitch
At TAGBASE (https://www.tagbase.io), we are on a mission to redefine product authenticity in an increasingly digital and counterfeit-prone world. Our technology ensures that brands can protect their products, engage with customers, and verify authenticity with cutting-edge NFC-based authentication and -optional- blockchain integration.
Being selected to pitch at this prestigious event was a major milestone for our team. Manuel Mertl took the stage, presenting how TAGBASE empowers businesses by providing secure, tamper-proof product authentication solutions that safeguard brands and consumers alike.
The opportunity to share our vision with a room full of investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs was invaluable. The positive feedback and engaging discussions following our pitch reinforced our belief in the impact TAGBASE can make in the industry.
A Huge Thank You
We want to extend our gratitude to AustrianStartups, invest.austria, the jury, and the entire Startup World Cup team for making this event a reality. The dedication and effort put into organizing such a seamless and inspiring event did not go unnoticed.
We also want to thank everyone who supported us, whether by providing feedback, networking, or simply cheering us on. These moments drive us forward and motivate us to keep pushing boundaries.
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