Read the original German article here.
A Global Tech Conference Needs a Startup Competition
What would an international tech conference be without a startup competition? At this year’s Web Summit, the PITCH format is once again giving early-stage startups the opportunity to present their ideas. Representing Austria on stage: Michael Schramm, founder of the 2022-launched crypto startup OwnerChip.
105 Alpha and Beta Startups Selected
Ahead of Web Summit, an independent jury selected 105 startups from all registered applicants to compete in PITCH. The key criteria: companies must have raised less than €5 million in funding and must not have undergone a major business model pivot in the past three years.
This selection represents a huge opportunity for OwnerChip, which was chosen as the only Austrian startup to participate. Today, they get the chance to pitch in front of a global audience of investors and industry leaders.
The competition also includes exciting startups from sectors such as AI, SaaS, CleanTech, and HealthTech – perfectly aligned with Web Summit’s 2024 focus on sustainability and artificial intelligence. Among the selected startups from Portugal are Maven Pet, which specializes in pet health tracking, and Glooma, a company developing an early detection device for breast cancer.
Authenticity in Online Trading for Art and Luxury Goods
OwnerChip is competing in the E-Commerce & Retail category. Founded by Michael Schramm, the startup develops online marketplaces for art and luxury goods, integrating Web3 blockchain technology and NFC chips for secure digital certification.
How does it work? NFC chips are embedded into physical assets and linked to their digital twins on the blockchain. Partners include Infineon and the Rarible marketplace.
The Vision Behind OwnerChip
The goal is clear: to make physical assets – such as artworks, fashion, and valuable goods—secure and transparent for online trading using blockchain and NFTs. This technology ensures authenticity, verified ownership, and safe transactions.
“I founded OwnerChip to promote trust and authenticity in the online trading of art and luxury products,” explains Schramm. Additionally, the platform enables sellers and marketplaces to generate extra revenue from secondary sales.
