Until July 1, 2024, founders can apply for the KfW Award Gründen 2024. The KfW banking group wants to use this competition to recognize young companies and startups from across Germany that deserve public recognition for their ideas and courage. The competition is open to companies and business successors founded from 2019 onwards. A total prize money of 35,000 euros will be awarded.
Jury evaluates according to multiple criteria
The jury consists of experienced professionals from KfW, development banks, politics, and business. For the KfW Award Gründen, they evaluate business ideas based on their degree of innovation and creativity. Factors such as social responsibility and societal added value are also considered in the evaluation. Economic success, ecological sustainability, and the promotion of an inclusive, diverse working environment also factor into the assessment.
Based on these criteria, one company from each federal state will be awarded. The prize money for the state winners is 1,000 euros each. They qualify further for the national award, which is endowed with an additional 9,000 euros. The jury also awards a special prize of 5,000 euros. All state winners then participate in the online voting for the audience award, which is endowed with 5,000 euros.
KfW Award Gründen: Ceremonial award ceremony in November
The companies will be honored on November 7, 2024 at a ceremonial event. The TV station n-tv will also report on them in a special broadcast. A PR agency will support the companies in marketing their success stories, and selected companies have the chance to be featured in a TV segment.
Applications for the KfW Award Gründen can be submitted here.
