THE SPARK – THE GERMAN DIGITAL AWARD

For the eighth time, Handelsblatt and McKinsey award The Spark – The German Digital Award to exceptional and innovative start-ups whose ideas have the potential to fundamentally and sustainably change markets.

Circular Economy

Traditional production and consumption patterns follow a linear logic: extract, produce, consume, dispose – with high costs for people and the environment. Dependence on raw material imports is increasingly becoming a problem. A resource-conserving circular economy is a requirement for a more sustainable industry. Digitalization and bio-based plastics are crucial for the success of the circular economy. The Spark is looking for startups from Germany, Austria and Switzerland that enable the transformation to the Circular Economy

The application phase for The Spark 2023 is closed. Are you interested in participating in The Spark 2024? Send us a short email to [email protected] and let us put you on the list. We will then inform you about the start of the next application phase.

The Finalists 2023

Ten start-ups were nominated as finalists 2023.
They presented their ideas to the jury at the jury meeting on September 18.

the jury meeting

Copyright by: Marc-Steffen Unger / www.ms-unger.de [email protected]

Continuous flow of Materias in a circular economy

Based on: Ellen McArthur Fpundation Circular economy systems diagram www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Continuous flow of Materias in a circular economy

Based on: Ellen McArthur Fpundation Circular economy systems diagram www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

The biological cycle

Farming:

Managing biological resources to create positive outcomes for nature, achieved through various practices to regenerate ecosystems.

Composting and anaerobic digestion:

Breaking down organic matter to produce compost or biogas and residual digestate for soil enhancement.

Cascades:

Using existing materials in the economy to make new products or returning them to the soil.

Extraction of biochemical feedstock:

Using biorefineries to produce high value chemical products from biological materials.

The technical cycle

Sharing:

Platforms that allow users to share various products such as clothes and cars can increase product utilization dramatically.

Maintaining & Proloning:

Prolonging a product’s usable life through maintenance is important in keeping products at high quality and preventing failure.

Reusing & Redistributing:

Reusable packaging and items, such as clothing, can effectively reduce waste by avoiding the need for new items and preventing unwanted items from going to waste. Diverting unsold or unused products to another customer can keep them in use and prevent waste.

Refurbishing & Remanufacturing:

Restoring products to good working condition through repairing or replacing components and improving appearance can restore their value. Re-engineering products and components to as-new condition with the same or improved performance level is done when they cannot remain in their current state.

Recycling:

Transforming products or components into basic materials or substances for reprocessing into new materials is the final step in preventing disposal and keeping materials in use.

Award Ceremony

Copyright by: Marc-Steffen Unger / www.ms-unger.de [email protected]

THE SPARK INSPIRATION LIVESTREAM

In the run-up to the awards ceremony in November, we will be discussing at The Spark Inspiration how the transition to a resource-conserving circular economy can succeed. In the webcast on September 18, 2023, we’ll join thought leaders to shed light on how digitization and technological innovations can support this transformation. Join us and take the opportunity for a virtual exchange with our experts.

Save the date: Sept. 18, 2023.
More info to follow soon

your benefits

As a finalist and winner of “The Spark – The German Digital Award”, you will receive …

Coaching for the jury meeting

Coaching for the jury meeting

Inclusion at McKinsey and Handelsblatt events

Inclusion at McKinsey and Handelsblatt events

Presentation of your company idea in front of a C-level audience

Presentation of your company idea in front of a C-level audience

Personal contact and exchange with The Spark jury experts

Personal contact and exchange with The Spark jury experts

Networking with The Spark Alumni

Networking with The Spark Alumni

Finalist icon for own marketing

Finalist icon for own marketing

Participation in the award ceremony

Participation in the award ceremony

Presentation on The Spark.de

Presentation on The Spark.de

Finalists advertisement in Handelsblatt

Finalists advertisement in Handelsblatt

Animated film for the winning company

Animated film for the winning company

The Spark trophy for the winning company

The Spark trophy for the winning company

Coaching for the jury meeting

Coaching for the jury meeting

Inclusion at McKinsey and Handelsblatt events

Inclusion at McKinsey and Handelsblatt events

Presentation of your company idea in front of a C-level audience

Presentation of your company idea in front of a C-level audience

Personal contact and exchange with The Spark jury experts

Personal contact and exchange with The Spark jury experts

Networking with The Spark Alumni

Networking with The Spark Alumni

Finalist icon for own marketing

Finalist icon for own marketing

Participation in the award ceremony

Participation in the award ceremony

Presentation on The Spark.de

Presentation on The Spark.de

Finalists advertisement in Handelsblatt

Finalists advertisement in Handelsblatt

Animated film for the winning company

Animated film for the winning company

The Spark trophy for the winning company

The Spark trophy for the winning company

the application process at a glance

Registration & online application form

The application is made via the online form. The application deadline is 18 June 2023.

Review & preselection

Based on your information, a pre-selection of applications is made. The best ones will be determined as finalists.

Community voting

The online community votes on the finalists. The result is included in the jury’s decision.

Jury meeting


On 18 September 2023, the finalists will present their business to the top-class jury in a live pitch. The jury will select the 2023 winner on this basis.

Award ceremony

On 23 November 2023, all finalists will be presented and the winners announced at the grand awards ceremony in Berlin.

Award Ceremony 2023

For the eighth time, Handelsblatt and McKinsey are awarding The Spark – The German Digital Prize to exceptional new thinkers whose ideas have the potential to fundamentally and sustainably change markets and are bringing them together with business leaders.

On November 23, 2023, ten digital pioneer companies will compete as finalists in Berlin and present themselves to more than 200 invited guests from politics, business and science.

THE SPARK success stories

Many of our The Spark winners and finalists from previous years have had a strong growth trajectory since their participation.

Also apply to The Spark and take your chance.

Current The Spark success stories at a glance:

Ubimax (now TeamViewer)

The third-placed company from 2019 managed a 136 million Euro exit to software company TeamViewer just 9 months after the award. Before The Spark, the company had only raised a few external financings (around 6 million). 

KONUX

In 2016, the first year of The Spark, our distinguished jury awarded the start-up KONUX as the winner. In February 2019, the company received a further 13 million US dollars as part of an expansion of its Series B financing round. The total volume of KONUX therefore increased to a total of 33 million US dollars.

Octimine

In 2017, the start-up Octimine was named a finalist of The Spark – The German Digital Award. In November 2018, the founders sell their company. The Dennemeyer Group, founded in Luxembourg, acquires Octimine.

Relayr

In 2016, the start-up relayr was also named a winner of The Spark. Just two years later, in September 2018, the company exits with an estimated enterprise value of USD 300 million. Munich Re acquires 100 percent of relayr.

Cassantec

Another success story from the first year of The Spark is Cassantec. The finalist from 2016, a start-up from Berlin, was acquired by ABB at the end of 2019 and was thus able to build on the positive result from four years ago.

Contact

Selina Hasbach

Senior Manager Concept & Development Awards

Solutions by HANDELSBLATT MEDIA GROUP GmbH
Toulouser Allee 27
D-40211 Düsseldorf

Phone: +49 211 887 1769
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.solutions-hmg.com