Young researchers under the Federal President

Marius Strauß and Oskar Rost were concerned with one question during their school days at the Adolf-Reichwein-Gymnasium Jena: How do we create a fair, transparent and efficient performance evaluation for everyone? Her answer: AutoGrade.AI. An AI-powered platform that automates test evaluations, generates detailed feedback, and provides data-driven insights.

Their digital innovation began in 2023 with a seminar paper and became an award-winning Jugend forscht project in 2025. Initially, they won at regional and state level in the field of the world of work. In addition to first places, they were awarded special prizes for innovative educational technology and digital innovations. The highlight of their Jugend forscht journey was the 60th national competition in Hamburg. Their work was awarded the national prize for outstanding research achievement, donated by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. This success shows how relevant and forward-looking their innovative solution is for the German education system.

For Marius Strauß and Oskar Rost, success at Jugend forscht is not the final, but the real start of their future. They are taking the next step by founding their company. AutoGrade.AI is set to develop from an excellent research project into a practical solution for schools. The two are working on testing their technology in pilot projects, expanding functions and further developing the system so that it measurably reduces the workload for teachers and pupils.