The Hamburger Gründerpreis (Hamburg Founder's Award) celebrated its anniversary; this year marked the 25th time it has been presented. The prizes, awarded at the Fischauktionshalle, went to green coffee trader Michael R. Neumann, railway construction firm Willke and the biotech startup Microharvest. The event was once again organised by Hamburger Sparkasse and the Hamburger Abendblatt.
News
September 8, 2026
Hamburger Gründerpreis 2026 for MicroHarvest, Willke and Michael R. Neumann
Jonathan Roberz and Katelijne Bekers of MicroHarvest © Haspa/Romanus Fuhrmann
Winner of the startup category: MicroHarvest
The award in the ‘startup category went to the biotech company MicroHarvest, which was founded in 2021 by Katelijne Bekers, Luisa Cruz and Jonathan Roberz. It produces a protein powder through biomass fermentation, using microorganisms and by-products from the agricultural and food industries. The first industrial-scale production plant is being built in Leuna (Saxony-Anhalt), which is set to reach a capacity of around 15,000 tonnes per year by the end of 2028. MicroHarvest’s protein is currently used in feed for fish, dogs and cats; approval for its use in food for humans by the EU is still pending.
Hjalmar Stemmann, President of the Hamburg Chamber of Skilled Trades, with Niklas and Moritz Willke © Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups
Winner of the rising star category: Willke Group
The Willke Group of Companies based in Wittorf near Lüneburg, was founded in 1979. The two sons of the founder, Niklas and Moritz Willke, have been running the company as the second generation since 2012. The group brings together several specialist companies under one roof and has thus developed into a full-service provider covering a broad range of services in the field of railway infrastructure. These include the design and surveying of track systems, track construction and maintenance, overhead line construction, track welding technology, track safety, railway logistics services and the operation of a railway engineering workshop. With a current turnover in Germany of around 175 million euros, Willke employs over 600 staff across Germany and carries out projects throughout Europe.
Hamburgs First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher and Michael R. Neumann © Mathias Jäger/Hamburg Startups
Winner of the lifetime achievement category: Michael R. Neumann
Michael R. Neumann is the founder of the Neumann Coffee Group. As early as 1934, his father, Hanns R. Neumann, had established a small coffee trading firm in Hamburg. From the 1960s onwards, the award winner developed this firm into a world-leading green coffee trader and service provider, which today employs more than 3,300 people. Around 50 subsidiaries in 28 countries support green coffee throughout the entire supply chain, offering comprehensive services relating to international trade. In 2004, Neumann withdrew completely from day-to-day operations and, in 2005, founded the Hanns R. Neumann Foundation, which is committed to improving living conditions in coffee-growing regions, environmental protection and nature conservation, as well as education and the integration of young people.
