The Women Startup Initiative UnternehmerTUM has launched the application phase for the Women Startup Award 2026. The competition is aimed at early-stage tech teams with at least one female founder in the leadership team and a connection to Bavaria. Applications are open now until June 15, 2026.
The award supports teams that are still in the pre-founding phase and are developing innovative technologies. A prerequisite is that the team has a connection to Bavaria, meaning they live or study there, or plan to implement their project in the state. New this year: Regional partners from across Bavaria nominate startups from their networks and specifically target female founders outside the major startup hubs.
First pitch round of the finalists
After the application deadline, the pre-finalists will present their ideas on July 15th and 16th at the so-called Entry Gate Pitches. This hybrid event will take place at regional partner locations in Bavaria. A panel of experts will then select the finalists, who will be announced by UnternehmerTUM starting on July 27th.
From September to November, the finalists will complete an intensive development program with training, coaching, and exclusive events from the UnternehmerTUM network. The final will take place on November 19th at the Munich Urban Colab. There, the teams will pitch their ideas to a distinguished jury before the awards ceremony.
This is what you can win
First place receives €7,500 in prize money, second place €4,500, and third place €3,000. The award also includes two special prizes of €3,000 each in the categories of "Artificial Intelligence" and "Smart Infrastructure & Cities." In addition, the winners receive pitch slots at UnternehmerTUM's Ultimate Demo Day and prototyping grants from Funding for Innovators.
The participants are accompanied by the "Women Startup Angels." Mentors include Antonella Mei-Pochtler, Bettine Schmitz, Helmut Schönenberger, Johannes von Borries, and Marlena Hien. The award is supported by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, and Gründerland Bayern (Founders' Land Bavaria).
