The application phase for the Strascheg Award 2025 is now open. The business ideas competition, initiated by Hochschule München (HM) and Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE), annually awards the best innovative business ideas with a total of 30,000 euros in prize money. A key innovation this year is the opening to external startups from the Munich region.
Business ideas can be submitted in three categories:
- From a course or lecture
- From science and practice
- External business idea with market proof
The first two categories are aimed at students, professors, employees, and alumni of Hochschule München. To participate, it is sufficient if at least one person on the team belongs to HM.
The newly introduced third category targets external, early-stage startups from the Munich area. These teams must not have received any EXIST, FLÜGGE, or AI+Munich funding to date. Micro-grants of up to a maximum of 20,000 euros are permitted. Further requirements include a functioning MVP (Minimum Viable Product), clearly demonstrable market proof with interested test customers, and a scalable business model.
Expert jury awards up to 5,000 euros per team
The submitted ideas are evaluated by an independent expert jury with a focus on entrepreneurship. Key criteria in the selection process are the presentation of the problem being addressed, the proposed solution, the degree of innovation, market potential, and implementation planning.
The award ceremony will take place on October 14, 2025. Three prizes will be awarded in each of the three categories:
- 1st place: 5,000 euros
- 2nd place: 3,000 euros
- 3rd place: 2,000 euros
In addition, all applicants receive access to personal consulting and substantive feedback on their business idea. Selected teams can also participate in the six-month SCE Incubation program.
This includes:
- Intensive coaching
- Exclusive seminars and workshops
- A prototyping budget
- Workspace in the incubator
- Additional startup support from SCE
Applications possible until mid-September
Applications are possible online until September 12, 2025. Further information and application materials are available on the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship website.
