16 state and one national winner: The KfW Award Gründen 2017 was awarded. The Bavarian prize goes to Toposens.
KfW honors successful founders who have turned an idea into a promising company with this award. The banking group says it aims to contribute to greater public recognition for the step into self-employment.
The prize is endowed with a total of 35,000 euros. 1,000 euros will go to each state winner. From the 16 winners in the federal states, Creapaper from Hennef, North Rhine-Westphalia, was chosen as the national winner. The company is developing a paper made from grass fiber. The prize is endowed with 9,000 euros. The audience winner, Greta & Starks from Berlin, and the Institute for Inclusive Education from Schleswig-Holstein, as the special winner for social entrepreneurship, will each receive 5,000 euros.
Toposens wins Bavarian state title
The Bavarian winner Toposens from Munich develops 3D sensor systems based on ultrasound technology. The startup repeatedly wins awards, including the "ICT start-up of the year" and Weconomy 2017.
Companies from all sectors that were established less than five years ago were eligible to apply for the KfW Award for Reasons. The winners were selected by a jury composed of representatives from KfW, promotional institutions, business, politics, and the media. Criteria included the degree of innovation, creativity, social responsibility, job creation, and environmental considerations.
