Slovenian National Competition BISC-E 2025: student innovations that change the world
Friday, 6 June 2025, 11:00, Department of Wood Engineering, Faculty of Science UL, large lecture hall
Six selected student teams will present their innovations in bio-based solutions at the BISC-E 2025 National Competition - a prestigious competition that encourages students to develop sustainable ideas to tackle the technological, environmental or societal challenges of the future. The event is co-organised by the Biotechnical Faculty and the Styrian Chamber of Commerce.
What is BISC-E?
BISC-E - Bio-based Innovation Student Challenge Europe - is a pan-European student competition promoting the transition to the bioeconomy and engaging students in the search for bio-based solutions with an innovative entrepreneurial approach. The programme enables the development of ideas with a high environmental-social impact and brings visibility both in Slovenia and Europe.
How does the competition work?
Each participating team develops a bio-based product or process, based on renewable biological resources and using modern technologies to address key challenges - from circularity to climate change mitigation. Solutions must not negatively impact the food chain, and biodiversity enhancement effects are desirable.
Who participates?
The competition is open to all undergraduate students and first-year PhD students. It is recommended that teams include students from different disciplines - science, technology, social sciences and arts. Each team must have between 3 and 6 members and must have a mentor from the university.
The national competition will be judged by an expert jury:
Rok Oblak (Incom)
Martin Kavšček (Acies Bio)
Dr. Sabina Berne (Faculty of Biotechnology, UL)
Why participate?
Prizes for the top three teams
Mentoring from industry and integration into the companies' workflow
Opportunity to present your idea at European level
Annual membership of the BIC (Bio-based Industries Consortium) for the winners and their universities
International promotion of the projects and networking opportunities
Slovenia participated in BISC-E for the first time in 2023. Last year, the Slovenian team achieved an excellent 3rd place in the European final, which demonstrates the quality and potential of the local knowledge.
Competition timeline
1 October 2024 - 31 January 2025 - Promotion of the competition by faculties
8 November 2024 - Information meeting for mentors
15 January 2025 - Online information meeting for students
28 February 2025 - Deadline for teams to register
6 June 2025 - National competition at BF UL
15 July 2025 - Presentation of the winners to the European Coordinators
5 and 26 September 2025 - European Final
Contact persons
Nina Meglič, SRIP Coordinator - Circular Economy
nina.meglic@stajerskagz.si
Dr. Primož Oven, Faculty of Biotechnology, UL
primoz.oven@bf.uni-lj.si
More information: https://biconsortium.eu/about-bisc-e