In 2025, the Female Maker Challenge: circular futures made its debut; now the competition, which is organised by Fab City Hamburg and features an extensive supporting programme, is in its second round. It is seeking female founders who are developing circular business models, materials, products or digital solutions. The application period runs until 30 September.
Group picture of the FEMALE MAKER CHALLENGE 2025 © Fab City Hamburg
Procedure and terms and conditions of the Female Maker Challenge
The Female Maker Challenge: circular futures is more than just a competition. The programme also includes four events known as the Female Maker Club, which explore topics relating to the Fab City community and the circular economy, and are open to everyone free of charge. On 9 October, a jury will select the finalists, who will be announced on 12 October. The finalists will then take part in exclusive workshops and masterclasses on 29 and 30 October. New to the programme is a matchmaking event on 24 November, where the selected candidates will meet stakeholders and investors from the circular economy sector. The grand final will then take place on 8 December. The prizes on offer include consultancy and support packages covering areas such as marketing, communication, prototyping and financing.
The competition is open to individual women, female students, female founders and mixed startup teams with at least one female founder or lead project manager. It is looking for ideas in the fields of consumer goods, household products, furniture, textiles, packaging, mobility, upcycling, the platform economy, new materials and digital solutions for the circular economy. Applicants may, but are not required to, be from Hamburg or the Hamburg metropolitan region.
