Darboven IDEE Award for Innovation

Since 1997, the Darboven IDEE Award has honored pioneering business start-ups by women in Germany and supports innovative, sustainable business ideas with prize money of up to €50,000. Eligible to participate are founders and start-ups whose company has been registered in the commercial register for no more than five years and whose forward-looking concept originates from a woman. The Albert and Edda Darboven Foundation annually awards three outstanding projects: €50,000 for first place, €10,000 for second place, and €5,000 for third place. This nationally unique award strengthens the entrepreneurial commitment of women who enhance the competitiveness of the German economy with creative solutions.

Key criteria for the jury’s evaluation are the degree of innovation, viability, and sustainability of the submitted business concepts. Furthermore, the personal commitment of the applicants plays a central role. The award not only supports the financial implementation but also grants the winning initiatives public visibility and attention within professional circles. Applications can be submitted nationwide annually, without participants needing to have already reached established company sizes. By consistently promoting female founders, the award sends a strong signal for greater diversity and female role models in the business landscape and helps to sustainably anchor the pioneering spirit and innovative strength of women in Germany.