Who develops digital solutions with real added value and sustainably transforms entire industries? This is precisely the question posed by the Rising Digital Award. The Dortmund-based IT company Conciso is launching the fourth round of the competition and is specifically targeting young startups with innovative digital products and services.
The competition is aimed at founders, teams, and individuals who have been active in business for a maximum of 24 months. Startups from all over Europe, regardless of industry, are eligible to participate. The focus is on scalable business models that successfully bring digital innovations to market. The winner of the Rising Digital Award receives €30,000 in prize money and individual coaching from experienced experts at Conciso. In addition, the winners benefit from access to Conciso's facilities to further develop their concepts and accelerate their market launch.
Competition procedure
Interested parties can submit their concepts by March 31, 2026. An independent jury of experts from business and academia will then evaluate all submissions and select the most promising startups. The nominees will present their ideas in person at two Pitch Days on May 28 and 29 in Dortmund and answer the jury's questions. The awards ceremony will take place on June 24.
The Rising Digital Award has repeatedly demonstrated the innovative potential of young digital companies. Exomatter won the competition in 2024. and received valuable support for its AI-powered database with information on over 1.5 million materials.
"With this new round of the competition, we want to once again provide fresh digital impetus for Germany as a location for innovation and for our region. In the past, we have already been able to support numerous startups in realizing their vision, developing their business further and gaining new partners,"
explained Tobias Schündelen, one of the organizers.
