Application phase enters the final sprint: applications for the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award close on 1st July.

• Companies and start-ups founded in 2020 or later can apply

• Particular focus on company successions with a special price

• A total of EUR 35,000 will be awarded

The application phase for the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2025 has entered the final sprint: companies founded or acquired as part of a succession process from 2020 onwards have until 1 July to apply. Every year, KfW awards a total of EUR 35,000 to innovative entrepreneurs from all over Germany.

The awards are distributed as follows: EUR 1,000 per federal state and an additional EUR 9,000 for the national winner. This year’s special prize for company succession totalling EUR 5,000 is worth a special mention. A people's choice award of EUR 5,000 will also be allocated after the competition.

The jury is looking for creative and innovative concepts that not only promise economic success, but also focus on social responsibility, social added value and ecological sustainability.

The online application form and other details can be found at: Looking for successful start-ups – applications open until 1 July 2025 | KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award (in German).

The KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award will once again be complemented this year by the KfW Capital Award, with which KfW subsidiary KfW Capital honours outstanding personalities from the European venture capital ecosystem with a special link to Germany as an investment location. The online application form and other details can be found at: KfW Capital Award 2025 | Capital

The award ceremony will take place on 6 November 2025 in Berlin and will be covered by n-tv. All prize winners receive professional PR support.

KfW supports start-ups and company successions through its promotional programmes: Funding products for start-ups and company successions | KfW (in German)