WTT Young Leader Award 2026: Six Finalists with AI Expertise and Innovative Spirit
Six student teams from OST have advanced to the finals of the WTT Young Leader Awards 2026. The jury was particularly impressed by the teams’ innovative spirit, the feasibility of their projects, and their expert use of artificial intelligence. The winners will be announced on October 28 at the Tonhalle St. Gallen—at the same time, the award will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Twelve student teams competed—six made it to the finals: The WTT Young Leader Award 2026 has announced its finalists. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, October 28, at a gala event at the Tonhalle St. Gallen, where approximately 600 guests from the worlds of business, academia, and politics are expected to attend. At the same time, the award is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
What Defines Excellence
The jury evaluated the projects based on their level of innovation, feasibility, originality, and use of new technologies. Mario Davatz, Head of Campus Management & Energy Center at Bühler, highlights a key point: «Artificial intelligence is an integral part of today’s world—but it’s crucial to critically evaluate the results.» Thomas Bosshard, Co-CEO and co-owner of Oertli Instrumente, adds: «For some of the projects, the client could begin implementation as early as Monday.» Thomas Harring, Group EVP at Hexagon, points out another key quality: «Substance, authenticity, and a unique—even controversial—opinion—despite AI—make all the difference.»
Thomas Metzger, head of the Department of Economics at OST, emphasizes the importance of teamwork: «Team members should challenge one another. This leads to outstanding achievements that individuals could not accomplish on their own.» With that, he ties in with this year’s theme: «20 Years of the WTT Young Leader Award – 20 Years of Excellence.».
Three Market Research Projects in the Finals
In the Market Research category, three real-world projects impressed the jury: A team working for Abraxas Informatik in St. Gallen examined the potential for digitization in the social services sectors of the cantons of Aargau and Basel-Landschaft and developed recommendations for the IT service provider’s market entry. Another team, working for Energie Zürichsee Linth in Jona, demonstrated how the process from gas meter reading to billing could be made more efficient and transparent. The third finalist team analyzed the European market for pitahaya on behalf of Gralsen Europe in Lucerne and developed recommendations on how this exotic fruit could transition from a niche product to a mainstream one.
Three Management Concepts with a Good Chance of Success
Three teams have also advanced to the finals in the Management Concept category: For H.P. Hafner in Amriswil, one team further developed the project cost estimation tool and created a ready-to-use cost accounting form. On behalf of Online Consulting in Wil, students designed an adaptive AI readiness and maturity check that shows SMEs their current status and level of maturity and identifies specific areas for action. Another team digitized the previously paper-based processes of the meal service at Sana Fürstenland in Gossau—the solution, which is already in use, saves approximately 155 work hours per year.
Anniversary Guest and Audience Award
As a special guest for the anniversary celebration, astrophysicist and former NASA Chief Scientist Thomas Zurbuchen will speak at the Award Talk on the topic «How Leadership Creates Excellence.» Susann Metzger, a member of the Appenzell Ausserrhoden cantonal government from the Department of Education and Culture, will honor the students’ achievements. In addition to the two jury prizes, an audience award will also be presented; public voting begins on October 6 at www.ost.ch/finalisten possible. All finalists will receive prize money—a total of 22,000 francs will be awarded.
The finalists at a glance
Market Research – Abraxas Informatik Team: Simon Kull (Project Manager, Bottighofen), Lukas Bürkler (Appenzell), Damian Milošević (Wittenbach), Noel Noser (Berneck), Mirkan Öztürk (Rheineck), Timon Rieger (St. Gallen).
Market Research – Lake Zurich-Linth Energy Team: Miljam Menko (Project Manager, Hinwil), Leandro Amacher (Richterswil), Philip Baader (Nänikon), Kathrin Bürki (Wetzikon), Maximilian Platz (Uster), Jasmin Werfeli (Wetzikon), Robin Wittek (Freienbach).
Market Research – Team Gralsen Europe: Tanaya Trachsler (Project Manager, Winterthur), Sina Bick (Mörschwil), Mirjam Füchslin (Romanshorn), Alexandra Gsell (Stäfa), Rahel Jäggi (Romanshorn), Ramona Keller (Kirchberg SG).
Management Concept – Team H.P. Hafner: Joel Breu (Project Manager, St. Gallen), Joël Bachmann (Wil), Refik Bajramoski (Widnau), Cedric Bührer (Bazenheid), Helen Bühlmann (St. Gallen), Noah Buchli (St. Gallen), David Wipfli (Cham).
Management Concept – Team Online Consulting: Lucas Fässler (Project Manager, Richterswil), Azem Abdi (Kaltbrunn), Berat Koxha (Wetzikon), Benjamin Stricker (Bäretswil), Fabian Wydler (Wetzikon).
Management Concept – Team Sana Fürstenland: Sylvan Faust (Project Manager, St. Gallen), Joel Breu (St. Gallen), Andreas Bührer (St. Gallen), Luca Hengartner (St. Gallen), Pascal Hofstetter (St. Gallen), Céline Rohner (St. Gallen).
For more information and to vote for the Audience Award (starting October 6): www.ost.ch/yla
