In difficult times such as these, which are characterized by uncertainty and fears, courage and innovative spirit are important assets. That is why campaigns such as the Frankfurt Founders' Prize are currently even more important than the renowned competition has already become in its 20-year history. The Frankfurt Startup Prize will be awarded again in 2021. Therefore, the Frankfurt Economic Development Agency is calling on startups, founders who have founded a company in the Frankfurt metropolitan area in 2020 or started their customer business in 2020 to apply by April 15.
The prize is intended to support companies from a wide range of industries in implementing their startup ideas. A support that not only benefits the founders, as Markus Frank, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, emphasizes: "Especially in the current situation, it is important to further support companies and their ideas in order to sustainably shape the start-up ecosystem in Frankfurt am Main for the future." Oliver Schwebel, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Frankfurt and Chairman of the jury, added: "We are looking forward to the founders and are excited to see what ideas they bring to the table."
The fact that the Frankfurt Startup Prize has been awarded for two decades underscores the long-term commitment of the City of Frankfurt am Main to promoting the local founder and startup scene. "The high success rate stands for the quality of the Frankfurt Founders' Prize and its jury work," reports Oliver Schwebel. Of a total of 75 prize winners since the competition's inception (2001 to 2020), over 80 percent are still on the market. Some companies have changed their name or been sold, in some cases for sums in the double-digit millions.
The competition is particularly characterised by its openness to different sectors, as every start-up idea is welcome. "Whether craft, IT startup, creative industry, FinTech or retail: the range of award winners from previous years shows that every startup gets a chance," Doris Brelowski, head of the Competence Center Startup of the Frankfurt Economic Development Agency, emphasizes the diversity of the competition. The decisive factor for the jury is that a good business idea is based on a solid business plan and realistic self-assessment. Outstanding founders are also characterized by special courage, commitment, perseverance and creativity.
There is a total of 30,000 euros in prize money to be won. "Equally valuable and even more sustainable than the prize money is the great image boost that the Frankfurt Founders' Prize gives the finalists," adds Doris Brelowski. The festive award ceremony in Frankfurt's Römer is scheduled for the end of August.
Applying is easy. At http://www.frankfurt-business.net or at http://frankfurt-business.net/existenzgruender/frankfurter-gruenderpreis/the application documents are available for download and can be submitted to the Frankfurt Economic Development Agency by e-mail, post or in person. "We are happy to answer all questions about the application process in a personal conversation - whether on the phone or at our information event," assures Doris Brelowski. An online information event for interested applicants will be held on Tuesday, March 23, at 5 pm. For all questions in advance, the Economic Development Department will be happy to help.
The Frankfurt Founders Award is an initiative of the City of Frankfurt and the Economic Development Department as well as the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. Since 2001, the prize has been awarded annually to outstanding founders from the Frankfurt city area. In addition to members of the city council, the jury also includes start-up and technical experts as well as former award winners. The competition is organized by the Economic Development Agency.
You can also find more info at: http://frankfurt-business.net/existenzgruender/frankfurter-gruenderpreis/
