For the first time, Mayor Josef Schmid has honored two representatives of Munich's business community with the LaMonachia Business Award for Women. The winners are Delia Fischer, founder and managing director of Westwing GmbH, and Christine Halbig, owner of Hüte Christine Halbig.
The Munich Business Prize LaMonachia for Women is awarded annually to two female entrepreneurs or managers. It aims to highlight the economic achievements of women in Munich and create role models. The jury's decision criteria are economic success, innovation, and commitment.
mayor Joseph Schmid said about the background of the award:
"With the municipal business award LaMonachia, we focus on the outstanding economic achievements of women. In doing so, we recognize the enormous contribution of female leaders to Munich as a business location. The two award winners represent success and growth, innovation, and personal persuasiveness."
The award winners will each receive a lioness jewelry piece designed by Munich artist Carina Shoshtary, as well as €3,000 in prize money. The name LaMonachia is the Latin version of the female city of Munich and is depicted as an allegory in paintings in Munich's City Hall. The symbol of LaMonachia is the lioness, embodying strength, composure, team spirit, and natural authority.
52 applications & 2 winners
The response to the first call for applications for LaMonachia was overwhelming: 52 women were nominated or applied directly. They come from a wide range of industries, with a focus on business-related services, and from companies of varying sizes.
A jury composed of representatives from business, chambers of commerce, and the Munich City Council selected the two award winners. This year's winners include Christine Halbig of Hüte Christine Halbig and Delia Fischer, co-founder of Westwing.
From a market niche to an internationally successful company
Delia Fischer founded the online shop for furniture and accessories in spring 2011, after identifying a gap in the furniture and home accessories market as an editor at Elle and Elle Decor. This sparked the idea of founding her own company, which she realized together with partners. The founding team was able to attract sufficient investors to establish a shopping club, which went online in August 2011. Westwing is now represented in 14 countries, employs over 1,400 people, and has annual sales of almost €270 million. Investors valued the company at €449.2 million in a financing round in January 2015. Delia Fischer is one of Germany's best-known and most successful female founders.
