iL-CURRENT
September 16, 2024
Innovative and courageous
Start-ups wanted
The Heidelberg Start-up Prize is about to be awarded for the second time: following last year's successful premiere, companies can once again apply for the coveted prize, which is awarded by the city of Heidelberg. The deadline for applications is September 30 at 11:59 pm. InnovationLab supports this campaign out of conviction and is represented by Dr. Tanja Benedict as a jury member in the Innovation section.
Tanja Benedict: "We want to promote start-ups"
"For us, this is a matter of course," says Tanja Benedict, responsible for Legal Services & IP Management at iL, "because as a technology transfer platform, we have been dealing with various start-ups for a long time. We at InnovationLab want to support them and advise them on how to obtain financial support. This is of fundamental importance, especially in the founding phase of start-ups."
The orientation of the Heidelberg Start-up Award is as follows: Prizes are awarded to companies that excel through innovation or courage in their start-up. Three requirements must be met. Applicants must have been founded after January 1, 2019, their business activity must be their main source of income and the company must be based in Heidelberg.
The start-up prize is awarded in two categories: "Innovation" and "Courage". The first-placed company in each category receives a prize of 10,000 euros. While technology and knowledge-based companies that have transferred scientific and technological findings into entrepreneurship can apply in the "Innovation" category, the "Courage" category honors companies that have abandoned tried and tested paths, defied adversity, taken on difficult challenges, succeeded in their start-up or successfully tried something new.
Two application rounds and separate expert jury
Appealing stage scenario: the Heidelberg Start-up Award will be presented for the second time since 2023 on November 15 in the old indoor swimming pool in Heidelberg. The prize is awarded to companies that stand out through innovation and courage in their start-up. Image: City of Heidelberg/Office for Economic Development and Science
Once the documents have been submitted, the winners will be determined in two application rounds. A separate jury of experts for the two categories will decide who reaches the second round based on the applications submitted online, is allowed to present themselves in a pitch in front of the jury and moves on to the final round of six.
The award ceremony will take place on November 15 at the Altes Hallenbad. At last year's premiere, the start-ups Onuava and Codefy won the competition. More than 50 companies applied for the start-up prize in 2023.
More information on the Heidelberg Start-up Prize can be found on the website of the City of Heidelberg at https://www.heidelberg.de/HD/Arbeiten+in+Heidelberg/heidelberger+gruendungspreis.html
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
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