The Munich Startup Special Prize will be awarded for the second time at the Bits & Pretzels startup fair. The 2024 winner is the startup Ecoplanet. The special prize, endowed with €5,000, will be presented at Oktoberfest. The award is intended to honor the innovative strength of Munich startups and raise their profile at the international startup festival.
The energy startup Ecoplanet was named best Munich startup at Bits & Pretzels. The B2B company has SaaS solutions developed for the analysis and optimization of energy management and procurement. It currently serves more than 2,000 locations. Founded in 2022, Ecoplanet now has over 35 employees. Since March 2023, Ecoplanet has raised a total of around six million euros in capital, including from HV Capital and several angel investors.
The award was presented by Clemens Baumgärtner, the head of labor and economics, during the Bits & Pretzels networking day in the Schottenhamel tent at the Oktoberfest. Arno Eggers, Head of Munich Startup, congratulated and said:
"Bits & Pretzels is one of the most important startup events for Munich and all of Germany. Startups from over thirty European countries participate in the pitch contest. The fact that a Munich startup won this contest shows that Munich is a place where innovations can emerge and startups can be successful."
Eggers added:
"As a partner, we are delighted to once again honor the best Munich startup at Bits & Pretzels this year. Ecoplanet represents the innovative power of Munich."
As a deeply rooted Munich-based company, the winning team from Ecoplanet is proud of the award. Maximilian Dekorsy, Co-Founder and CEO, said at the award ceremony:
"It was important to us to raise awareness about the energy transition. We achieved that by winning the pitch contest at Bits & Pretzels. And now, thanks to the Munich Startup Special Prize, here at Oktoberfest! We are also very pleased about the recognition we receive as a Munich startup through this special award."
