Wiesbaden start-up prize "StartAward"
The StartAward is the start-up prize of the state capital Wiesbaden. It will enter the next round in 2026 and is aimed at courageous founders with innovative and novel ideas. In addition to prize money, there is support through visibility and access to a strong start-up network.
Registration for the kick-off on June 10, 2026
The application period for this year’s StartAward officially begins with the kick-off event on June 10, 2026, at the Heimathafen. Join us and look forward to exciting insights and the latest updates on this year’s award. Register now!
Your four steps to the award
- Registration for the Kick-Off on June 10, 2026
- June 10–August 15, 2026: Submit your application
- September 15–16, 2026: Semifinals with a jury pitch to select the finalists
- October 27, 2026: Finals with a festive awards ceremony in the Tattersaal
Categories
Main category
Founded in Wiesbaden
1st place: 10,000 euros
2nd place: €7,500
3rd place: 5,000 euros
Ready to go
Startups from the University
1st place: 1,500 euros
2nd place: 1,000 euros
3rd place: 500 euros
Special price
Female Founders
5,000 euros
Winners in 2024
This is what our award-winning companies say in 2024:
Serge Reit, Managing Director YOND GmbH
“For us, the StartAward 2024 was above all a wonderful recognition and helped us gain visibility locally. Beyond that, we were unable to attribute any measurable business benefits to it, such as additional customers, partners, or investors. Here’s a concrete example: The award and the coverage in the local newspaper brought us visibility and positive feedback in the regional community. We look back on the award very positively and are glad to have been part of the competition!”
Susanne Eidmann, Managing Director of cluuv GmbH
"Winning first place in the main category was a significant milestone for us, giving cluuv® tremendous visibility and strengthening confidence in our vision. We used the prize money as a valuable boost to develop new, modular accessories, which, among other things, allowed us to make significant progress on our solutions for transporting dogs."
Martin Schenk, Managing Director Potential Pioniere GmbH
"The StartAward opened a number of doors for us in and around Wiesbaden. We had to walk through them ourselves—a fact that some founders overlook. The momentum from winning the award not only took us to the finals of the Hessian Startup Award, but also led to valuable conversations with decision-makers. These were meetings on equal footing that ultimately resulted in contracts and revenue."
Registration
Review StartAward 2024
Contact us
Department for Economy and Employment
Address
65183 Wiesbaden
Postal address
65029 Wiesbaden
Arrival
Notes on public transport
Public transportation: Bus stop Dern'sches Gelände, Luisenplatz and Wilhelmstraße; bus lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 36, 45, 46, 47, 48, 262.
Telephone
- +49 611 313131
- +49 611 313922
Opening hours
The department can be reached by telephone from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the number given in the contact field. It is recommended that you make an appointment in advance.