IAAC Students Win Top Spots at CiD Accelerator Demo Day

Rinova and Second Matter from IAAC’s Digital Matter research line secured the top two positions at the CiD Accelerator Demo Day, showcasing innovative circular solutions for the built environment.

The CiD Accelerator Demo Day marked a significant milestone for IAAC’s Digital Matter students, who presented their entrepreneurial projects at the culmination of the CiD Accelerator Program, an initiative developed by Tallinn Business Incubators as part of the CiD Innovation Alliance. The event brought together startup mentors, investors, architects, entrepreneurs, and sustainability experts to explore and evaluate the future of circular design and bio-based innovation in the built environment.

During this highly anticipated session, besides the team from other institutions, two IAAC teams, Rinova and Second Matter, delivered polished final pitches, showcasing not only their project ideas but also the progress they made throughout the accelerator.

Throughout the accelerator program, students had engaged in intensive workshops focused on business modeling, client research, branding, marketing, financial planning, intellectual property, team management, and pitch development. Demo Day was the moment to put all of this knowledge into action.

The evaluation panel assessed each project according to six key criteria:

Uniqueness: Was the idea innovative, distinct, and an improvement on existing solutions?
Problem Relevance: Did the project effectively address a real and pressing societal or environmental challenge?
Environmental Impact: Would the proposed solution generate meaningful positive effects on the environment or the built environment ecosystem?
Feasibility: Could the idea be realistically developed given current technology, resources, and practical constraints?
Business Potential: Did the project present a credible path toward economic viability and market adoption?
Pitch Quality: Was the presentation clear, structured, compelling, and easy for diverse stakeholders to understand?

Ultimately, Rinova (Ameya Thopte, Manideep Mamidala, Rishi Srinivasa, Yetkin Demir) and Second Matter (Deniz Ipek Karatas, Heba El Ayouty, Pelinsu Sahin and Shubham Benare) won the top two positions of the CiD Accelerator Demo Day winning follow up mentoring sessions with startup mentors. Congratulations to winning teams!

This achievement highlights IAAC’s continued leadership in design-driven innovation and circular transitions. Their performance reflects the growing capacity of IAAC’s Digital Matter line to shape the next generation of circular innovators prepared to influence the future of the built environment.

Find out more about the project on the website: https://www.cid-innovationalliance.eu/ or follow us on instagram @cid.innovationalliance

Image Credits: Tallinn Business Incubator