The Hamburg Innovation Awards (HHIA) are entering the next round and will once again provide an outstanding platform for innovative start-ups, companies and founding teams on 12 September 2024. Nils Neumann from Hamburg Innovation organises the awards, which celebrate the best ideas and achievements of Hamburg’s innovation scene. The awards are presented as part of the Hamburg Innovation Summit (HHIS) and promise the winners not only financial support, but also valuable visibility and sustainable networking opportunities.
‘Our aim is to strengthen and network the innovation scene in Hamburg. The Hamburg Innovation Summit offers the ideal environment in which creative minds can come together and break new ground together: Participation in the Hamburg Innovation Awards enables young companies and start-ups to increase their visibility and make valuable long-term contacts. The positive multiplier effects and feedback from previous award winners speak for themselves,’ explains organiser Nils Neumann.
History and development
The Hamburg Innovation Awards (HHIA) are traditionally presented as part of the Hamburg Innovation Summit (HHIS). The HHIS is Hamburg’s largest innovation event and acts as an interface between research, development and application. The Summit Expo is a showcase for innovations, an exhibition to try out and touch, supplemented by topic-specific lounges, a speed dating area and an interactive networking bridge. The HHIS and the HHIA open up new ways for innovators to tackle local challenges and drive positive global change.
HHIA with three award categories for innovation
- IDEA: This category is aimed at prospective entrepreneurs from the Hamburg metropolitan region who are in the pre-start-up or start-up phase. Here they have the opportunity to have their business idea reviewed and evaluated.
- START: In this category, the jury assesses existing companies that have been in existence for a maximum of ten years.
- GROWTH: This category recognises the achievements of established companies that have developed innovative product lines, new products or processes.
Attractive prizes and recognition
The winning teams will receive a comprehensive start-up kit with non-cash prizes and prize money totalling 5,000 euros per category. All finalists will also have the opportunity to present themselves at the HHIS free of charge with their own stand and showcase their innovations to a wide audience.
Success stories and charisma
The Hamburg Innovation Awards have established themselves as a real springboard for promising companies. Many winners report the positive impact the award has had on their business development and visibility. Benny Jürgens from Nect GmbH recalls: ‘Winning the award helped us to make our innovation visible in Hamburg.’ Matthias Feistel, CEO of LUIS Technology GmbH, states: ‘We were delighted to win the Hamburg Innovation Award 2022. We referred to it both in marketing and in direct discussions with customers and have often been asked about it since then. The award has helped us as LUIS Technology to continue on our growth path.’ Dr Christoph Alberti from Recyclabs also emphasises the importance of the award for his company: ‘Winning the Hamburg Innovation Award 2022 has given us a great boost and expanded our network in the long term.’
These success stories underline how the Hamburg Innovation Awards can help start-ups to sustainably promote their growth.
Apply now!
Interested teams and companies can apply now. The application deadline is 30 June 2024. Further information and the opportunity to register can be found on the official website of the Hamburg Innovation Awards.
Take this opportunity to present your innovations and receive valuable recognition: Be part of it and show what Hamburg has to offer!
