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 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 …
the application process at a glance
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
