Reducing food waste with AI - winning idea in 24-hour competition

Reducing food waste with AI was the winning concept at this year's JIBS Entrepreneurship Challenge, held on 2 April.

During 24 intense hours, student teams from Jönköping University tackled a real business case from this year's partner, the food wholesaler Mårdskog and Lindkvist.

“The students are very creative and it’s clear that they are good at what they do,” says Marcus Mårdskog, co-owner of Mårdskog and Lindkvist.

The winning team consisted of Marta Sikora, Greta Czovek and Sára Czifrik from Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) and Eduardo Pereira from the School of Engineering (JTH). They took home the first prize of SEK 60,000 with their concept of reducing food waste using AI. The assignment focused on strengthening the company’s sustainability focus.

Anticipate demand and identify best before dates

“Our idea is to implement an AI model that can predict product demand and identify food items approaching their expiry date,” explains Greta Czovek.

The team also proposedusing the ‘To good to go’ app to sell items close to expiry or donate them to people in need.

“We put a lot of effort into this competition and we are happy and honoured that the jury chose our proposal as the best solution for the company,” says Sára Czifrik.

“It’s great to see that when you really commit, an idea can blossom and make a real impact. It feels great and builds self-confidence,” says Marta Sikora.

"Creative and dedicated to the task"

The six finalist teams pitched their ideas to a jury made up of representatives from Mårdskog and Lindkvist, JIBS, Science Park, and Aktiestinsen Foundation. The total prize pool of SEK 130,000 was made possible by Aktiestinsen's donation to the competition.

Anna Blombäck, Dean of Education at JIBS and jury member, emphasizes the team’s comprehensive approach to sustainability for Mårdskog and Lindkvist and how they can position themselves in that area.

“Their proposal also allows for a step-by-step implementation, which makes it practically feasible for the company,” says Anna Blombäck.

Marcus Mårdskog, who also sat on the jury, was impressed with the students' results.

“I took a lot of notes during their presentations and will bring several of the student’s ideas back to the company. Many of the issues thay raised are ones we’ve also discussed internally. It is always valuable to get fresh perspectives form outside. And when you are working under pressure like in this case, you become highly focused and creative,” says Marcus Mårdskog.

"An entrepreneurial mindset"

The JIBS Entrepreneurship Challenge is held annually by the student association Entrepreneurship Academy at JIBS and is based on a donation from Aktiestinsen Foundation. The total prize pool this year amounted to 130 000 SEK.

“This is a great competition because it gives students the opportunity to work on a concrete project and gaininsights into companies’ real development challenges. It supports the development of an entrepreneurial mindset – something we value highly at JIBS. It is about thinking innovatively and creatively with others. The challenge also reinforces our position as an entrepreneurially oriented business school – one of our key strength,” . says Anna Blombäck, Dean of Education at JIBS," says Anna Blombäck.