In 2019, the KfW Banking Group will once again honor companies in their first five years of business with the KfW Start-Up Award—formerly known as "GründerChampions." Online applications are open starting May 1.
Decisive criteria for companies that are worthy of an award are the degree of innovation, creativity, social responsibility, environmentally conscious implementation, and the creation and preservation of jobs and training opportunities. Startups from all sectors based in Germany can apply for the award.
Founders who have taken over a company as part of a succession plan are also welcome to participate. Award-worthy startups can also be nominated. Only startups that founded their company after or in 2014 are eligible for the award. A nationwide winner will be chosen from the 16 state winners.
KfW Award Gründen: Prize money totaling 35,000 euros
The awards ceremony will take place on 17 October 2019 at the start of the deGUT The competition will take place in Berlin. The 16 state winners will each receive €1,000, and the national winner selected from their group will receive an additional €9,000 in prize money. One company will receive the special Social Entrepreneurship Prize, endowed with €5,000. The audience will award an additional €5,000 prize to all winners who present themselves on the evening of the awards ceremony. Online applications are open from May 1 to August 1, 2019.
