We still can’t believe what an incredible journey the past week has been—we went to Japan! Representing Switzerland with our vision of producing affordable and comfortable sports prosthetics, we had the opportunity to showcase SoftSocket on a global stage.
Our adventure began in Frankfurt, where we met before boarding our flight to Tokyo. On the plane, we spotted two fellow competitors from Tokyo, easily recognizing them by the identical backpacks we had received for our national win. It was a surreal moment, realizing we were all headed to the same destination, united by a shared passion for innovation. Upon landing, the Red Bull Squad welcomed us and escorted us to our hotel at Kabukicho Tower.
Once settled in, we had some free time to explore Shinjuku, soaking in the vibrant energy of the city before discovering our breathtaking room on the 36th floor, offering a stunning view over Tokyo and even Mount Fuji. Later that evening, we visited the Red Bull Headquarters, where the excitement for the upcoming days began to build.
The following days flew by in a whirlwind of inspiring activities. We participated in storytelling and design workshops, honed our skills, and immersed ourselves in fun cultural experiences like Kintsugi—the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. A highlight of the week was an exhilarating robot fight at RED° TOKYO TOWER, adding a futuristic touch to our adventure. Each evening, we were treated to incredible food, carefully organized by Red Bull to keep us energized for what lay ahead.
Everything led up to the grand finale at Tokyo Node, where we presented our idea at the Idea Gallery, standing alongside groundbreaking innovations from around the world. We were particularly impressed by the med-tech ideas from Kosovo, the US, and the UK. Huge congratulations to Soj for taking home the win!
The experience culminated in a legendary after-party, celebrating a week filled with creativity, innovation, and new friendships. To round off our adventure, we spent the weekend in Kyoto, immersing ourselves in the rich history and beauty of Japan before returning to Switzerland—ready to push SoftSocket forward with renewed energy and inspiration.
This was a transformative experience that has left us more motivated than ever. Stay tuned for what’s next!
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