The winners of the first Startup Day of the International Green Week have been announced. The first prize goes to the startup nearBeesThe Munich-based sales portal for regional honey producers from across Germany aims to sell regional honey to both retailers and end consumers.
At the International Green Week, the Munich-based company prevailed against more than 50 other companies. Twenty of them participated in the final pitch at the trade fair in Berlin. With a short pitch before the six-member jury of retail representatives, experts from the food industry, and startup support, nearBees clearly won the race. Founder and Managing Director Viktoria Schmidt of nearBees accepted the award. In 2017, the startup already won several awards.
Benefit from access to food retail
With Startup Day, the International Green Week has, for the first time, focused on food startups. A key goal of Startup Day is to provide initial support through networking with traditional stakeholders from the food retail industry, other experts and influencers, as well as investors, project partners, and distribution partners.
The prizes are not cash, but rather "virtual rewards." Winners will benefit from consultations with retail chains or future participation in the 2019 Green Week and association conferences.
In addition to the nearBees idea for "Honey from next door," a meat and a fish idea were also honored. Second prize went to bickus from Northern Hesse. Under this name, farms have joined forces to use the meat of laying hens for food, instead of leaving the animals to the industry when they no longer lay eggs. The jury awarded third prize to Hiddensee cutterfish, a fish canning company on Rügen, which is not only dedicated to promoting regional products, but also aims to promote the preservation of gillnet fishing off the island through its activities.
