Prize money and attention for young companies: still time to apply for the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award until 1 July

• Businesses/successions established in or after 2016 can take part
• One company from each German federal state will receive an award
• One national winner will receive an additional EUR 9,000
• A People’s Choice Award and a special prize will be awarded (each endowed with prize money of EUR 5,000)

Any company that has held its own on the market and successfully overcome the challenges of the last year gives hope to other entrepreneurs and deserves public recognition. The KfW Award is a recognition of quality and often generates valuable media coverage for the winners. It is possible to apply until 1 July. The competition is open to all industries and business successions established in or after 2016 that are based in Germany.

The jury made up of policymakers, business leaders and representatives of KfW will assess the business ideas for their level of innovation and creativity. Other key factors when deciding the winners are a company’s environmental awareness when implementing its plans, and its level of social responsibility. Successful handling of the challenges posed by the coronavirus crisis will also be taken into consideration during evaluation. Its impact on turnover and operating result will be taken into account in the process.

Awards will be presented to one company from each German federal state. Each winning company will receive EUR 1,000. The prize-winners then go on to compete for the national award, which is endowed with additional prize money of EUR 9,000. The jury can also award a special prize of EUR 5,000, and all state winners have the chance to receive additional prize money of EUR 5,000 if they win the People’s Choice Award.

The prize-winners will be announced on 28 October 2021. The television station n-tv will also report about the national award-winner and other selected winners in a special broadcast. The companies will also receive support from a PR agency on how to market their success story.

The online application form and other information can be found at www.kfw-awards.de