Attention young companies and start-ups – submissions for the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2025 are now open!

• Companies can apply now
• Particular focus on company successions with a special price
• A total of EUR 35,000 will be awarded

Berlin/Frankfurt am Main, 1 April 2025. KfW has now opened the application process for the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2025. Companies that have been founded or acquired as part of a succession process from 2020 onwards have from 1 April to 1 July to apply. Every year, KfW awards a total of EUR 35,000 to innovative entrepreneurs from all over Germany:

EUR 1,000 per federal state and an additional EUR 9,000 for the national winner. This year’s special prize for company succession totalling EUR 5,000 is worth a special mention. An audience prize of EUR 5,000 will also be allocated after the competition.

The jury is looking for creative and innovative concepts that not only promise economic success, but also focus on social responsibility, social added value and ecological sustainability.

The award ceremony will take place on 6 November 2025 in Berlin and will be covered by n-tv. All prize winners receive professional PR support.

KfW Capital will once again present the KfW Capital Award on this evening. More details to follow at the start of the application phase on 15 April.

The online application form and other details can be found at Erfolgreiche Gründungen gesucht - Bewerbung bis 1. Juli 2025 möglich | KfW Award Gründen (in german)

KfW also helps entrepreneurs to establish companies and with company succession in the form of promotional programmes: Funding products for start-ups and company successions | KfW