Wecheer is announced winner of Coca-Cola HBC's 2023 €100k Start-Up Challenge

The Bottle-as-a-Service platform and app will benefit from an award of €100k and access to mentorship and industry expertise through Coca-Cola HBC’s Venture arm.

Coca-Cola HBC is pleased to announce the winner of its 2023 €100k Start-Up Challenge: Wecheer.

Now in its second year, Coca-Cola HBC’s €100k Start-Up Challenge aims to open up more opportunities to discover innovations and potential partnerships from across the startup ecosystem. The Challenge is supported by Rainmaking, with expertise in accelerating and scaling start-ups through connections with world leading corporations.

Coca-Cola HBC seeks solutions to strengthen and premiumise its product and service offering, and value for customers – and the 2023 €100k Start-Up Challenge sought to uncover the next big idea that could transform the hotel, restaurant and cafe channel in particular.

With more than 1,000 of potential start-ups scouted, Coca-Cola HBC shortlisted 24 before bringing nine forward to pitch to its Selection Committee, made up of executive leadership team members and experts from across the business.

Wecheer and its Bottle-as-a-Service platform was the worthy winner, for its potential to revolutionise service delivery in the hotel, restaurant and café channel. Using image recognition, Wecheer’s patented ‘Smart Bottle Opener’ and app can track every bottle opened – identifying the time, location, and brand of consumption.

Not only does the technology have the potential to provide incredible insights for consumption occasions, it also enables beverage companies to unlock promotional opportunities every time a brand is recommended, or a bottle is opened, using the connected Smart Bottle Opener.

Wecheer will be awarded €100k and access to mentorship, support and industry expertise to bring the idea to its full potential.

Karim Choueiri, CEO of Wecheer said, "We are deeply honoured and humbled to be recognised by Coca-Cola HBC amidst such a vast array of distinguished startups. The rigorous screening process was testament to the dedication and expertise that Coca-Cola HBC brings to the industry. We are thrilled to be the winners of the 2023 Start-Up Challenge, and are gearing up for a transformative year that promises growth, insights, and heightened consumer engagement."