German Founders Award 2018: The finalists have been announced. In the categories Startup and Newcomer Six companies, including two Munich-based companies, were nominated by the jury, which is comprised of representatives from the initiators stern, Sparkassen, ZDF, and Porsche, as well as the award's sponsors. The nominees will learn who will win the coveted prize at the awards ceremony on September 11, 2018, at the ZDF capital studio in Berlin.
This year's German Founders' Prize is being won by tinkerers and inventors with technically sophisticated business models. The business models range from chemical mini-reactors and flow-measuring probes to intelligent energy storage systems and customized software. These companies are increasingly relying on digital technologies that are also particularly sustainable and resource-efficient.
Vectoflow aims to become the best startup
In the Category Startup The award focuses on one- to three-year-old companies that have successfully established their business ideas in the market. The nominees are:
- Ineratec GmbH from Karlsruhe. The company shrinks gigantic chemical plants to miniature format. The decentralized reactors produce, for example, synthetic fuels for cars using solar or wind energy or convert waste gases into high-quality raw materials for the chemical industry.
- Oculavis GmbH from Aachen. Commercially available data glasses or smartphones, along with customized software from Oculavis: This reduces the number of customer visits required by service technicians, saving everyone involved significant time and money. An innovative use of digital technologies for services in traditional mechanical engineering.
- Vectoflow GmbH from Gilching. The company develops and 3D-prints custom-made, stable, and heat-resistant probes that measure the flow of air, water, or oil with extreme precision.
Will CQSE be the newcomer of the year?
In the Category Rising Stars The award recognizes companies that are less than nine years old and have already achieved extraordinary growth. This year's nominees are:
- Ankerkraut GmbH from Jesteburg. Top-quality spice blends, chemical-free, beautifully packaged, and delicious – that's how Ankerkraut conquers the kitchens and the hearts of enthusiastic home cooks.
- CQSE GmbH from Garching near Munich. Companies that want to avoid costly follow-up problems in the further development of their software rely on Teamscale, the analysis program from CQSE.
- Tesvolt GmbH from Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Intelligent energy storage systems that pay off – Tesvolt has developed an important building block for the energy transition.
The six finalists will receive individual, tailored consulting from 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 will also receive media training from ZDF and access to the German Founders' Award alumni network.
