Hessian Founder Award
Are you a young company from Hessen or have you started a business in Hessen in the last 5 years? Then apply now for the Hessian Founder Award 2025!
Brief introduction HGP
The application phase for the Hessian Founder Award (HGP) has started. Young companies headquartered in Hessen can still apply until May 7.
We present inspiring start-up stories to the public and want to make young companies visible and present courageous role models for start-ups and succession in Hessen. We are therefore looking forward to receiving applications from founders and successors who have been active on the market for a maximum of five years. Students with exciting start-up projects who are about to start up or have just started up are welcome to apply in the "Start-up from the university" category.
The first step is to fill out the application form. In round two - the semi-final at IKEA Germany in Hofheim - pitches in front of a selected jury are added. Round three - the grand final, which takes place as part of the symposium of multipliers of the Hessian start-up scene - includes an exhibition stand. An online vote will supplement the jury's decisions.
Applications are possible in the categories "Innovative business idea", "Sustainable succession", "Social impact" and "University start-up". The award ceremony will take place on November 7 in Hofheim am Taunus as part of a festive gala attended by the Hessian Minister of Economics, Kaweh Mansoori. The whole of Hesse will be able to attend, as the award ceremony will be streamed live.
Application phase
The application period runs from January 30, 2025 to May 7, 2025. All written applications received will be reviewed and evaluated by a jury.
On June 10, it will be announced which 48 companies have made it to the semi-finals. These semi-finalists will be presented on social media over the summer.
After the summer break, our pitch training will start in preparation for the semi-final on September 3 at IKEA Germany. Out of 48 semi-finalists, 12 finalists will move on to the final in the four categories.
The grand final will be launched from October 23 to November 6 with online voting, where everyone can get to know and vote for the finalists. On November 7, the 12 finalists will then compete at the symposium of the multipliers of the Hessian start-up scene with exhibition stands. In the evening, they will be honored and celebrated at the big gala.
Competition procedure, prizes, participation
The first step is to fill out the application form. With this information, a jury selects the twelve most convincing companies for the semi-finals in each of the four categories "Innovative business idea", "Sustainable succession", "Social impact" and "University start-up". These 48 semi-finalists pitch in front of a large jury and three per category move on to the final. The twelve finalists will then compete against each other during the day at the symposium for the multipliers of the Hessian start-up scene on November 7 in Hofheim. In the evening, the winners will be honored at an awards ceremony. Online voting will complement the final from October 23 to November 6.
The Hessian Founder Award does not award cash prizes. The prizes include great public attention, exclusive network contacts, high-quality expert training and workshops as well as a professional company video. We are also eligible for nomination for the German Founder Award. The diverse networks that await participants in the Hessian Founder Award also include an active alumni network and a roadshow throughout Hesse that stops off at established companies and partners.