The German Startup Awards are presented annually in the categories Newcomer of the Year, Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Investor of the Year, and Founder of the Year. A special award also recognizes individuals or organizations for their outstanding commitment to the startup ecosystem. Franziska Teubert, Managing Director of Startup AssociationThe award winners demonstrate the increasing maturity of the German startup ecosystem. The wide range of successful young companies demonstrates how essential entrepreneurial drive and innovation are for Germany.
The importance of startups for Germany as a business location is also emphasized Jörg Kukies, State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery and Chief Economic Advisor to Chancellor Olaf Scholz:
"Congratulations to the award winners. With their entrepreneurial drive and dedication, they have achieved something impressive. Those who hold a German Startup Award in their hands this year are making Germany more competitive, more modern, and solving social problems through smart innovation. It's quite clear: founders are building companies that make Germany future-proof."
Florian Pachaly from Recup honored as Social Entrepreneur
Among the winners of the German Startup Awards are several founders and organizations from Munich. Florian Pachaly, Co-founder of Recup, was honored as Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Recup has established a nationwide reusable deposit system for the catering industry. As part of the Recup reusable system, disposable packaging is replaced with pollutant-free and reusable cups and bowls. According to the company, the deposit system is now available at over 11,500 distribution points across Germany.
Founder of the Year: Jochen Engert from Flix
Flix co-founder Jochen Engert, former Co-CEO of the Munich-based mobility company and now a member of the Supervisory Board, is honored as Founder of the Year. Flix – formerly Flixmobility – has built Europe's largest long-distance bus network and offers smart and sustainable mobility at low prices. With the acquisition of US bus operator Greyhound at the end of 2021 The Munich-based startup, founded in 2013, is now also active outside of Europe.
UnternehmerTUM receives special prize
The special prize, awarded jointly by the Startup Association and PWC Germany, also goes to Munich this year, specifically to UnternehmerTUM. Every year, over 300 start-up projects and 80 fast-growing startups, including companies with billion-dollar valuations such as Celonis and Lilium, supported. Thomas Sattelberger, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, recognized the merits of the Munich flagship project with the special award.
