The application phase for the Smart Country Startup Award 2026 is now open. Until August 31, startups from Germany can apply with innovative solutions for the digital state, administration, and smart cities. The competition recognizes outstanding technologies and products that advance the public sector.
The award seeks startups that support municipalities, authorities, and public institutions in their digitalization efforts. Whether administrative digitalization, digital identities, public procurement, or smart infrastructure – what matters is that the solutions are already being used in the public sector or are suitable for such use.
The Smart Country Convention provides participating startups with a platform to present their ideas to a broad professional audience. At the same time, they have the opportunity to network with experts, potential customers, and partners from administration, business, and politics.
Finals at the Smart Country Convention
After the application deadline, a jury selects the finalists. They will present their projects live on October 14, 2026 on the Plaza Stage of the Smart Country Convention in Berlin. There they will pitch in front of an expert jury and the professional audience to win the Smart Country Startup Award.
The winning startup receives a stage slot at the Smart Country Convention in the following year worth 10,000 euros as well as a one-year Get Started membership in the Bitkom digital association.
Eligible to participate are companies based in Germany that were founded less than five years ago. They must also have between three and 50 employees subject to social security contributions. The founders must be actively involved in management. Furthermore, annual revenue must not exceed ten million euros. Spin-offs and companies with majority external ownership are excluded from participation.
The digital association Bitkom provides the application form on its website.
