The Carpathian Startup Fest 2025 once again proved to be a key event for early-stage startups seeking visibility, connections, and growth opportunities. Held in Rzeszów, this two-day gathering brought together ambitious founders, seasoned investors, and tech enthusiasts eager to exchange ideas and shape the future of innovation.
As an Expo partner, Fingoweb had the chance to engage directly with the most promising startups and witness firsthand the creativity and determination that drives the ecosystem. From high-energy pitch sessions to insightful panel discussions, the festival offered a valuable platform for collaboration and inspiration. In this recap, we’ll share our impressions of the event and highlight the standout startups that made it into the competition.
What is Carpathian Startup Fest?
The Carpathian Startup Fest is a yearly gathering that shines a spotlight on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the thriving startup scene in the Carpathian region. It serves as a meeting point for founders, investors, tech leaders, and business enthusiasts eager to exchange ideas, present new solutions, and spark future collaborations. The agenda is packed with diverse activities — from inspiring keynote speeches and expert-led panel discussions to hands-on workshops, networking meetups, and the much-anticipated startup competition: Puls Up and Idea Challenge.
So, what makes Carpathian Startup Fest stand out? Here’s why it’s a must-attend:
- Innovation Hub: The event is bursting with fresh ideas, game-changing tech, and bold entrepreneurial energy.
- Unmatched Networking: It’s a golden opportunity to meet potential partners, investors, and mentors all in one place.
- Learning Experience: Workshops and panels offer actionable insights from industry veterans and successful founders.
“Year after year, CSF attracts more and more people who truly know why they’re there. Startups come with ideas that have real potential – and at Fingoweb, we can show how to turn those ideas into working products.”
Fingoweb’s role at Carpathian Startup Fest
Fingoweb was honored to serve as an Expo partner at the Carpathian Startup Fest 2025. Our team was thrilled to connect with fellow innovators and thought leaders. We gained valuable insights into the newest developments in technology and entrepreneurship, while also sharing our own expertise.
Throughout the two-day event, we had meaningful conversations with many attendees, exchanged ideas, and explored opportunities for collaboration. The passion and drive at the festival were incredibly motivating. We’re thankful to be involved in such a vibrant and forward-looking community.
“During this year’s CSF, we had many valuable conversations with young startups.
We focused a lot on how a long-term collaboration between a startup and a software house could look – and that it is truly possible.
For us at Fingoweb, this is an important direction: we support teams not only technologically but also product-wise and strategically, and events like CSF allow us to better reach those who are looking for this kind of support.”
Puls Up – Startup contest at Carpathian Startup Fest
The Puls Up contest, provided startups with an exciting opportunity to showcase their innovative solutions and gain recognition in the entrepreneurial community. The contest unfolded in three stages, beginning with a selection process led by investment funds and business angels, who chose the top 10 startups based on their submitted applications.
These selected startups then moved on to pitch their ideas during the Demo Day session. Each pitch was evaluated by a jury that assessed the startups on key criteria such as the idea/product, market potential, business model, team, and presentation quality. In the end, the contest rewarded the best startups with significant cash prizes and the chance to gain visibility among potential investors, partners, and customers.
- 1st place: 50 000 PLN
- 2nd place: 35 000 PLN
- 3rd place: 20 000 PLN
- Audience award: 8 000 PLN
Genotic – 1st place
Genotic is a team of scientists and engineers working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and antibody design. Their mission is to push the boundaries of natural science research by combining deep scientific knowledge with cutting-edge computational techniques. The team focuses on generating antibodies through deep learning, specifically designing proteins as therapeutic agents.
Rather than looking to sell their company, Genotic is dedicated to conducting research and creating antibodies for specific proteins. Their innovative technology is poised to produce even more groundbreaking results, advancing the field of therapeutic protein design.
Founders: Grzegorz Warzecha – specializes in antibody design using deep learning and leads efforts in developing dark lab production techniques for scalable, mass manufacturing.
RIFFSEC – 2nd place
RIFFSEC is a cybersecurity company specializing in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), focused on proactively defending organizations by analyzing and utilizing threat data. As cybercrime evolves, RIFFSEC offers solutions for monitoring data breaches, detecting vulnerabilities, and tracking leaks on the internet and dark web.
Their tools help protect clients, subcontractors, and employees from phishing attacks and other threats. RIFFSEC also supports systems like XDR and SIEM, ensuring real-time protection. By detecting key breaches and vulnerabilities, they enable organizations to stay ahead of emerging cyber risks.
Founders: Konrad Latkowski
iYoni App by LIFEBITE – 3rd place
iYoni App by LIFEBITE is the first expert medical app designed specifically for women, helping them increase their chances of pregnancy, better understand their bodies, and care for their intimate health. The app tracks the menstrual cycle, supports fertility, and aids in pregnancy control, already assisting over 300,000 pregnancies.
With a fantastic team of experts and a user-friendly interface, iYoni offers solid performance and traction. The app is also exploring potential integration with IoT devices and wearables, such as those from MyOvu.
Founders: Katarzyna Goch
LegacyApp
LegacyApp is a free app designed to securely store important personal information, ensuring that your loved ones can access it when they need it most. With LegacyApp, you can easily collect and store essential details such as life insurance policies, assets, liabilities, and cryptocurrencies.
The information is encrypted on your device and can be backed up with a single click to your private Google Drive or iCloud account. In case of an emergency, the app will securely share these critical details with the designated people at the right moment. Simple, secure, and free – download LegacyApp now!
Founders: Paweł Soproniuk
WaterSense
WaterSense is an innovative IoT-based system for water quality monitoring, designed to identify potential threats and support operational decision-making. It integrates three global innovations: an autonomous measurement station monitoring 10 key water parameters, a cloud-based smart management system powered by AI to predict water quality 72 hours in advance, and an interactive national river contamination risk map.
The system’s sensors automatically replace themselves when parameters are lost, ensuring year-round operation with a micro-hydroelectric generator. WaterSense can predict water quality changes and enhance water treatment efficiency, providing valuable insights to prevent disasters like the one on the Oder River. With a team of 50 experts, it aims to revolutionize water monitoring and disaster prevention.
Founders: Filip Budny
autoMEE
autoMEE aims to provide small and medium-sized businesses with access to advanced AI automation tools that were previously reserved for market giants. Their goal is to level the playing field by helping companies improve operational efficiency, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and achieve dynamic growth. With a focus on innovation, accessibility, and customer orientation, autoMEE ensures that every business can effectively compete in the global market.
Founders: Dominik Laskowski
Medmetrix
Medmetrix makes it easy to get instant health analysis with the precision of artificial intelligence. Their platform allows users to upload photos and receive online dermatology diagnoses based on skin changes, all powered by certified med-tech solutions.
Medmetrix aims to provide a safe and reliable alternative to Googling symptoms, ensuring users have access to verified health information. The company has earned recognition as a Unicorn Booster Hub winner and achieved a top ranking at the Carpathian Startup Fest.
Founders: Maciej Szymczyk
Modino.io
Modino.io is a platform designed for the secure updating of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It provides IoT application updates and protects against attacks, such as those targeting devices like inverters for solar panels (e.g., Tauron) or systems used by T-Mobile and military markets.
Modino.io also supports critical updates for battlefield systems, ensuring secure communication and operation, backed by advanced cryptography. With its robust security measures, the platform is built to keep IoT devices and their data safe from emerging threats.
Founders: Błażej Pawlak, Paweł Żebrowski, Radek Ratajczak
Meterd
Meterd has created an effective yet easy-to-use SaaS platform that simplifies energy monitoring, media consumption optimization, and CO2 emissions tracking. Meterd helps organizations reduce costs, collect data for ESG reporting, and achieve sustainability goals.
With energy audits and the ability to lower monthly bills, their sensors and AI algorithms provide valuable insights. The platform offers both SaaS and implementation services, ensuring seamless integration into any organization’s operations.
Founders: Bartłomiej Babiński, Sebastian Paniak, Alan Fiszerowicz
Bodyscope
Bodyscope is an innovative dermatoscopic robot that provides 360-degree imaging of a patient’s body. The robot captures macro photographs of the entire skin surface for screening analysis by AI models. Designed based on research from U.S. doctors, the technology acts as an aging tool and offers precise disease detection.
Bodyscope aims to lease or provide this advanced equipment to hospitals, helping them perform comprehensive scans for early detection of skin-related health issues. The system also features 3D MRI capabilities for even more detailed imaging.
“I’ve returned from the Carpathian Startup Fest with a head full of inspiration and… a bit of regret that I couldn’t be in several places at once.
The agenda was so packed with value that choosing between amazing panels, presentations, workshops, and coffee conversations was truly difficult – each of these spaces offered an opportunity to gain knowledge and meet inspiring people.”
Idea Challenge at Carpathian Startup Fest 2025
The Idea Challenge contest at the Carpathian Startup Fest was a two-stage competition that recognized the best business ideas. In the first stage, a panel of judges evaluated the applications submitted by participants and selected five solutions to advance to the Demo Day pitching session. During the Demo Day, these teams presented their ideas to the jury, who scored them based on criteria such as product concept, market potential, business model, team, and presentation quality. The top three solutions with the highest scores were awarded prizes, including:
- 12,000 PLN for first place
- 8,000 PLN for second place
- 5,000 PLN for third place
The Idea Challenge provided a great opportunity for startups to showcase their potential and gain valuable exposure within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
MycoRenew – 1st place
MycoRenew is focused on addressing the issue of textile waste, particularly synthetic and semi-synthetic materials. The company is developing innovative methods to recycle fashion waste by harnessing the power of fungi, providing a more sustainable solution. This approach aligns with the goals of textile recycling, green technology, and zero-waste initiatives. MycoRenew is part of the growing field of biotech, aiming to create a positive environmental impact by offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional textile waste management.
Founders: Tomasz Mierzwa, Katarzyna Turnau
DES – 2nd place
DES (Dental Endoscope System) is a patented technology (EPO since 2021) consisting of a dental tip equipped with a micro-camera directed at the treatment area, where the drill contacts the tooth. This innovative system continuously monitors the drill’s action and provides a 360-degree view of the oral cavity, transmitting real-time images to a monitor. The technology offers dental professionals enhanced precision during procedures, improving both treatment effectiveness and patient experience.
Founders: Damian Siupka-Mróz
BLUMINEO – 3rd place
BLUMINEO is an innovative, contactless method for diagnosing jaundice in newborns that eliminates the need for blood samples. This technology not only enhances the comfort of young patients but also streamlines the workflow for doctors and reduces stress for parents, all while maintaining high measurement precision.
Founders: Scientists from Politechnika Rzeszowska, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski and Kliniczny Szpital Wojewódzki nr 2.
CodeSense
CodeSense is a mobile application designed to help blind and visually impaired users identify products by scanning barcodes. When a product’s packaging is scanned with a smartphone, the app recognizes the item and provides an audio description of the product name and other important details. This technology supports greater independence in everyday tasks for people with visual impairments.
Founders: Paweł Łoś
PREMEDILO
PREMEDILO is a proactive health management solution that collects medical information directly from users to help prevent diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle, improving quality of life. The platform includes modules for managing allergies, medications, pregnancy, child development, medical diaries, and health risk assessments with personalized reports and recommendations.
Targeting family medicine, prevention, and telemedicine, PREMEDILO is currently at the Minimum Viable Product stage with funding below 200,000 EUR and is seeking additional investment. While not yet commercially active internationally, the startup plans to expand into the European Union and the UK markets.
“The Carpathian Startup Fest proved to be a very intense event filled with many interesting one-on-one conversations. The event provided an opportunity to meet many fascinating people in a pleasant atmosphere alongside engaging panels. Despite the fatigue, I will remember this event fondly and look forward to returning next year.”
Carpathian Startup Fest 2025 – Summary
The Carpathian Startup Fest 2025 in Rzeszów once again served as a vibrant hub for innovation, bringing together startups, investors, and industry leaders eager to collaborate and grow. The Puls Up contest awarded top startups such as Genotic, RIFFSEC, and iYoni App for their groundbreaking work in AI-driven antibody design, cybersecurity, and women’s health.
Meanwhile, the Idea Challenge recognized promising business ideas including MycoRenew’s sustainable biomaterials, DES’s dental endoscope technology, and BLUMINEO’s non-invasive jaundice diagnosis for newborns. Other standout startups like LegacyApp, WaterSense, and Medmetrix showcased innovative solutions across sectors such as personal data security, environmental monitoring, and medtech diagnostics.
Overall, CSF 2025 reinforced its position as a premier platform fostering entrepreneurship, offering startups crucial exposure, expert feedback, and valuable networking opportunities to fuel their growth and impact.
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