• KfW recognises young companies from across Germany's federal states
• Award ceremony with announcement of the national winner in Berlin on 4 November

The state winners of the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2026 have been announced. In each German federal state, a young company was honoured for its compelling business idea, innovative solutions and entrepreneurial commitment. The 16 state winners have also been nominated for the national award. The start-up that emerges as the national winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in Berlin on 4 November 2026.

For 28 years now, KfW has been honouring founders who turn new ideas into viable business models and whose companies provide impetus for the economy and society. In addition, two special prizes for business succession will be awarded at the awards ceremony. KfW wants to showcase the award-winning companies as role models and encourage people to take the plunge into self-employment.

This year’s state winners demonstrate the many different forms that successful start-ups can take. Each of the 16 companies receives prize money of €1,000 and the opportunity to raise its profile beyond its home region. The prize winners were selected by an experienced jury.

An overview of the state winners of the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2026:

• Baden-Württemberg: medicalvalues GmbH

• Bavaria: Energyminer GmbH

• Berlin: Rulemapping Group GmbH

• Brandenburg: cureVision GmbH

• Bremen: Marble Imaging GmbH

• Hamburg: goodBytz GmbH

• Hesse: Voodin Blade Technology GmbH

• Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Mecklenburger Alltagsfeen

• Lower Saxony: Phaeosynt GmbH

• North Rhine-Westphalia: Schreinerwehr GmbH

• Rhineland-Palatinate: TENTA VISION GmbH

• Saarland: Detesia GmbH

• Saxony: Friends not Food GmbH

• Saxony-Anhalt: Dorfkraft Holding GmbH

• Schleswig-Holstein: Celtrix GmbH

• Thuringia: Warmwind AG

Further information on the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award and the award winners can be found at www.kfw.de/award (German Page).