Hamburg-based coffee roaster Albert Darboven has been awarding the Darboven Prize for over 20 years. By awarding this prestigious prize, the founder aims to increase risk-taking and personal commitment, and encourage women to start their own businesses.
The award recognizes viable and promising business concepts from all economic sectors. The focus is on innovative and sustainable business ideas that ensure the international competitiveness of the German economy.
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Especially in economically challenging times, we need innovative business concepts that solve societal challenges and generate economic growth. The award supports the potential of courageous women, and female entrepreneurs are intended to receive greater publicity. This remains necessary, as women are still underrepresented in the field of business start-ups.„,
said the founder Albert Darboven.
The participation criteria for the Darboven Prize
And with a total of €65,000 in prize money, it's worth participating in the competition as an innovative startup founded by a woman. The first prize is worth €50,000, the second prize €10,000, and the third prize €5,000. In 2017, Manuela Rasthofer from the Munich-based startup won. Terraloupe the main prize.
Eligibility is clearly defined. The focus is on a viable business concept, the degree of innovation of the business idea, the personal commitment of the founder, and—new this year—the sustainability of the business idea. Eligibility is open to female entrepreneurs and start-ups who have been self-employed for less than three years.
In the first application phase, all interested applicants must complete an application form. The deadline for this is July 31, 2021. From all submissions, five applicants will then be given the opportunity to present themselves and their startup idea in person to the jury. A spot in this final round will be awarded through a public vote.
