Digital Social Innovation Lab 

FreshBoxx

freshboxx is an online platform that directly connects consumers with local farmers. Via an app consumers can easily order boxes of fruits and veggies from regional farmers and pick them up at central pick-up stations such as company sites. The freshboxx app matches consumers to the closest farmers and fit consumers’ preferences of fruits and veggies best. Fresboxx aims to encourage the consumption of regional and seasonal food by making it as convenient and transparent as possible. At the same time, they ensure fair prices for local farmers – way above retail and wholesail margins.

MiddleGround

MiddleGround is a social change platform bridging the needs of small non-profits from the Rhine-Neckar region with talented students looking to gain confidence and experience in their skills. MiddleGround is here to grow and nurture a trusted network for the non-profits through project counseling through MiddleGround’s expertise and convenient access to students to a impactful and rewarding opportunities. MiddleGround was created by four international students from the University of Mannheim, looking to spread the impact they know students can have in this ever changing world in positive social ways.

Doubble

Doubble makes donating easy, transparent and spontaneous! QR codes on consumer goods lead users directly to the Doubble platform. Here, individuals can donate the equivalent value of what they’ve bought, or they can decide to donate more or less than the amount. Doubble maps customers to local projects where they see and connect to an immediate benefit. This way Doubble integrates donating into everyday activities.

The first local project Doubble supports with its barcode system is called ,,Aufwind Mannheim”.

Mability

Mability is a service uniting different (public/private) transportation services in the RNV region. Subscribers will be able to use the VRN network plus Nextbike (incl. in monthly fee of approx. 50€) and reduced taxis/carsharing fees.  The aim is to reduce the number of individual motorized traffic participants in order to increase the life quality in urban areas (air, space, noise etc).  The service is planned to be easily accessible using only one app, in which one can plan trips throughout the whole region.  The team plans the support of other green initiatives and/or air improving projects.

Ruuf

RUUF is an app that is specifically tailored to the needs of the homeless. Today, every third homeless person has a smartphone with internet access, but there is no app that simplifies their everyday life. RUFF created an app that provides information about facilities such as medical care, accommodation, food distribution and social services, as well as a direct route to each location. In addition, social workers will be able to enter routes for newly homeless people, which contact points they have to visit in order to get a place in a homeless shelter, for example.

Debate now

DebateNow is he answer to a society that forgot how to discuss respectfully and outcome-oriented. DebateNow wants to create a two-sided online platform, where organisations (companies, NGOs, local  authorities and political parties) can discuss their issues and pose real-life challenges to university students. The discussion will be facilitated through a video-conference on a secure platform. The organisations will post topics to which the students can sign up on. This platform will be mutually beneficial; for organisations, by exchanging ideas and getting new perspectives, and for students, by having a place to share their view points.