Opportunity for start-ups, successors and female founders – gain visibility, network and expertise
Good news for young companies: The application deadline for the 2024 Hessian Founders' Award has been extended to May 14th . This was announced by project manager Elisabeth Neumann of KIZ SINNOVA gGmbH. The award is aimed at startups, successors, and founders from all over Hesse – regardless of industry or location.
The prize offers more than just an award: Those who make it to the finals benefit from high public visibility, professional networking contacts, high-quality training, and a company video for their own marketing. "Even reaching the semi-finals has noticeably helped many young companies," reports Neumann.
Four categories – one goal: to make startups visible
The competition is divided into four categories:
- Innovative business idea
- Sustainable succession
- Social impact
- Founded from the university
Following the online application, twelve companies per category are selected for the semi-finals. From these, three qualify for the final. The final takes place on November 7, 2024, in Hofheim , with a daytime industry event and an evening awards ceremony. A parallel online vote provides additional reach – in 2023, over 20,000 people participated.
Important to know: No cash prizes are awarded. Rewards include public attention, high-quality coaching, a professional video, and access to the alumni network . Furthermore, finalists are automatically eligible to nominate candidates for the German Entrepreneur Award .
High relevance for the labor market
The competition also annually documents the economic importance of startups in Hesse. The 176 companies that have participated so far in 2024 employ a total of over 2,000 people .
Apply now
Applying is easy – simply use the online form on the official website:
👉 www.hessischer-gruenderpreis.de
Featured image: Jury meeting in Marburg to select the HGP24 semi-finalists. Photo: HPG
