The finalists for the German Founders' Award 2016 in the Startup category have been announced. Three outstanding companies were nominated by the jury, which includes representatives from the initiators stern, Sparkassen, ZDF, and Porsche. Among them: the Munich team from ProGlove!
In the Category Startup The award focuses on one- to three-year-old companies that have successfully established their business ideas in the market. This year's nominees are:
• iNDTact GmbH from Würzburg. The highly sensitive sensor systems sound an alarm when car and aircraft parts are wearing out or machines are wearing out. This allows for early repairs and the prevention of dangerous accidents.
• Okinlab GmbH from Saarbrücken. Curved forms with dynamic curves or minimalist practicality: With form.bar, the online configurator from Okinlab, anyone can design their own affordable furniture. The results are unique pieces with a natural design language, individually crafted by regional carpenters.
• ProGlove from Munich. The ProGlove smart glove saves valuable working time. Sensors in the glove shorten each scanning process in production by four to five seconds, often over 1,000 times per day.
Coaching and support for the finalists
The finalists receive individual coaching tailored to their needs from the management consultancy Porsche Consulting. In addition, members of the German Founders' Award Board of Trustees will mentor each finalist for a period of two years, sharing their expertise and experience. The companies also receive media training from ZDF and access to the German Founders' Award alumni network.
The companies were nominated by approximately 300 experts from the German Entrepreneurs' Award. They come from renowned companies, technology centers, ministries, start-up initiatives, and the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe (Savings Banks Finance Group). The experts have years of experience with company start-ups and extensive industry knowledge.
Whoever wins the coveted prize — last year, among others, the Munich-based company OnPage.org nominated — the candidates will find out at the awards ceremony on July 5, 2016 in the ZDF capital studio in Berlin.
Detailed company profiles can be found here.
