Companies that have been operating for a maximum of five years can apply to the KfW Banking Group to become "Founder Champions" until July 1. The only requirement: the company must be based in Germany. The awards ceremony will take place on October 6 in Berlin.
A state winner will be honored in each federal state, each receiving €1,000. The Bavarian FounderChampion will then compete against the other 15 state winners for the national title, endowed with €9,000. A special prize of €5,000 will also be awarded to a company that was acquired as part of a succession process. On the evening of the awards ceremony, the audience will decide who will receive an additional €5,000. A total of €35,000 in prize money is available. All FounderChampions will also be assigned a PR agency. One person from each award-winning company will have the opportunity to participate in the impulse Academy's "Success Images Seminar."
A jury composed of representatives from the KfW Banking Group, politics, business, state development agencies, and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce assesses the applicants' business ideas and their implementation. Other considerations include the number of jobs created by the companies, as well as their social responsibility and corporate citizenship.
By awarding the prize, KfW also wants to contribute to increasing public recognition for the step into self-employment.
