Female innovators wanted for the IDEE-Förderpreis
In 2025, the IDEE-Förderpreis, initiated by Hamburg entrepreneur Albert Darboven, will be presented for the 17th time. This is Germany's only national award for innovative startups by women. The application phase for the prize, which is endowed with a total of 65,000 euros, has just started.
Conditions of participation and prize money
Female founders and entrepreneurs whose companies have not been entered in the commercial register for more than five years are eligible to enter. Teams can also apply, but the startup idea must come from a woman. The prize money is provided by the Albert and Edda Darboven Foundation and is staggered as follows: 50,000 euros for first place, 10,000 euros for second place and 5,000 euros for third place. The degree of innovation, viability and sustainability of the business concepts from all economic sectors are decisive for the jury's assessment. The personal commitment of the innovators is also included in the assessment.
These are the 2023 winners
Applications must be submitted online by July 31, 2025. Five finalists will be given the opportunity to present their company in person to the jury, with one place being awarded by public voting. At the last award ceremony in November 2023, Nina Heine secured victory with Shit2Power GmbH. She has developed a process that transforms sewage sludge into a sustainable source of energy. Second place went to sisters Anina Langhans and Helena Rapprich with their AI-supported health platform LipoCheck. Third place went to Dr. Najoua Bolakhrif and GLAPE GmbH for their laser-assisted glass bending technology.
