A startup competition on the theme “Zero Food Waste” has been organized at Mingachevir State University with the aim of promoting the principles of sustainable development and environmental responsibility. Initiated jointly by the Department of Physics and Ecology and the Department of Information Technologies, the competition aimed to foster ecological thinking among students, raise awareness about the efficient use of food resources, and encourage the development of innovative business ideas.

Within the framework of the competition, attention was drawn to the socio-economic and environmental problems caused by food waste on a global scale. It was noted that millions of tons of food waste are generated worldwide every year, leading to inefficient use of natural resources and disruption of ecological balance.

Student teams participating in the startup competition presented innovative ideas aimed at preventing food waste. The projects covered various directions, including the effective redistribution of surplus food, the management of leftover food in restaurants and stores through mobile applications, the development of smart logistics systems, the optimization of food resources, and technological solutions designed to reduce waste.

During the event, participants presented their startup projects to the jury panel. The evaluation process considered key criteria such as the innovativeness of the ideas, their practical applicability, social and environmental impact, and technological feasibility. The most successful ideas selected by the jury were specially recognized, and participants received recommendations for further development of their projects.

The competition was regarded as an important initiative aimed at developing students’ entrepreneurial and innovation skills and encouraging them to propose technology-based solutions to real-world problems.

It should be noted that such initiatives implemented at Mingachevir State University make a significant contribution to integrating students into the startup ecosystem, fostering innovative thinking, and promoting projects aligned with sustainable development goals.