The KfW Capital Award focuses on investors, business angels, and other actors who visibly shape the venture capital ecosystem in Germany and Europe: through successful deals, innovative topics, or their commitment to new structures.
Applications can be submitted until July 1, 2026. Three awards will be presented: “Best Female VC Investor”, “VC Game Changer”, and “VC Exit Excellence”, each with prize money of 5,000 euros.
For “Best Female VC Investor”, a clear investment focus in the European region, a solid track record, and investments in innovative technologies count, as well as social and ecological responsibility. The “VC Game Changer” award is aimed at personalities who drive the VC environment forward with new ideas, formats, or initiatives. “VC Exit Excellence” is designed as a portfolio prize: The investment management of KfW Capital nominates a winner from more than 150 fund investments.
Who can apply and how?
Investors and other VC actors with a European connection and activities at the Germany location can apply. Self-nominations are possible, as are proposals from third parties. Application deadline is July 1, 2026.
The jury convenes in September, and the awards ceremony takes place on November 4, 2026 in Berlin.
The selection of winners is made by a jury composed of VC practitioners, associations, academia, and politics. These include, among others, Tanja Emmerling (HTGF), Ulrike Hinrichs (BVK), Heike Hölzner (HTW Berlin, encourageventures), Eva Wimmer (Federal Finance Ministry), and from KfW Capital Jörg Goschin and Theresa Bardubitzki.
Further information, the complete guidelines, and the online application form can be found here.
An overview of startup competitions can be found here.
