This year, the FAZ publishing house is presenting the STEP Award for the 13th time. Innovative growth companies from the science, technology, and IT sectors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are now invited to submit their applications. The winners will receive a prize along with an attractive service package. Applications can be submitted until July 15, 2018.
The aim of the STEP Award is to provide important impetus for the successful development of young companies that have been in existence for at least one year and have already generated initial revenue. The 2018 competition is supported by sponsors such as Infraserv, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Sanofi-Aventis Germany.
Small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those operating in the B2B sector and focused on growth, are eligible to apply. STEP Award is intended to help take the next decisive step towards long-term success.
Pitch deck training for the finalists
“With the new special prize ‘Digitalization/Industry 4.0/Blockchain’, we are expanding the STEP Award to include further future-oriented companies — these testify to the concentrated innovative power of the DACH region,”
so Simon Hentschel, Head of Start-up and Growth Projects at FAZ-Fachverlag.
The aim is to generate more good business ideas and recognize groundbreaking pioneers. The best applicants will be selected through a multi-stage process and, for the first time this year, will receive pitch deck training. This is designed to prepare the finalists for their presentations to the expert jury at the Elevator Talk. The winners will be honored again in 2018 at a gala ceremony.
Industry and theme awards
In addition to the business idea and management team, the evaluation focuses on the criteria "market/customer," "processes," "technology/product/service," and "finance." One industry award is given in each of the three sectors (science, technology, and IT).
In addition, the jury will select a theme winner from among all finalists sustainability and, for the first time this year, the special prize winner Digitalization/Industry 4.0/Blockchain.
By the way, the STEP Award is a good place for Munich companies: Last year, the local company Electrochaea won a prize.
