Oliver Schwebel announced this year's winner of the "Startup of the Year"-Award of Frankfurt Forward via Livestream from the Zoo Gesellschaftshaus in Frankfurt am Main.
For the first time in cooperation with the TECH DAY of the Euro Finance Week the Frankfurt Startup of the Year was chosen live from nine innovative young companies. Markus Frank, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs of the City of Frankfurt am Main, was impressed: "Tonight, our startups from Frankfurt and the region showed that they are not being held back by the pandemic and that their concepts speak for an innovative and digital future."
Previously, the renowned jury of Frankfurt Forward, consisting of 30 regional board members, decision-makers and movers and shakers, had awarded one "Startup of the Month" each month for the second year in a row from January to September 2020. On Tuesday, this year's candidates CrowdDesk, Tec4Med, Codario, Cansativa, iDA, Ginmon, DATAbility, Wingcopter and NAIX Technology had the chance to show what they are capable of on the big stage and to inspire the audience in live pitches.
Whether it was about innovative financing tools, the hardware and software for maintaining cold chains in the health care system, innovative cybersecurity solutions or the distribution of medical cannabis - the start-ups from Frankfurt and the region proved once again that solutions for the future are always preceded by innovative questions: How can data be used intelligently? How can asset management be democratized? How can machines be intelligently maintained? How can drones be used to reach remote locations? Or: how can personal data in documents be automatically made anonymous? The young entrepreneurs have found novel answers to these questions and developed suitable business models. Andreas Scholz, Chairman of the Management Board of dfv Euro Finance Group GmbH, moderated the evening's discussion.
The award was ultimately won by CrowdDesk GmbH. In addition to individual mentoring by the Frankfurt Forward Jury, the company expects to become a member of the FrankfurtRhineMain Business Initiative, among other things.
"The pitches show that FrankfurtRhineMain have their standing on the national and international innovation map," stated Oliver Schwebel, Managing Director of the Frankfurt Economic Development Agency. "Every year we look forward to the diversity and the opportunities that this event brings with it and are convinced that Frankfurt am Main as a location for start-ups is becoming ever larger and more significant." Christian W. Jakob, Head of Frankfurt Forward, adds: "Especially in these times, short distances and quick decisions are important. We will continue to play a major role in shaping and advancing the FrankfurtRhineMain start-up ecosystem in 2021".
Frankfurt Forward ist der Matchmaker für Startups, Unternehmen und Investoren in FrankfurtRheinMain.
Frankfurt Forward bringt unter dem Dach der Wirtschaftsförderung Frankfurt Startups und etablierte Unternehmen zusammen. Unter dem Motto „Matching am Main“ verbindet das Projekt bisher getrennte Welten und fördert die Weiterentwicklung von Innovation und Digitalisierung am Standort Frankfurt am Main.
Frankfurt Forward is the matchmaker for startups, companies and investors in Frankfurt amMain.
As a project of the Frankfurt Economic Development – GmbH, Frankfurt Forward brings together young startups and established companies. Under the slogan “Matching @ Main” ,the project connects two separated worlds and fosters innovation and digitalization in Frankfurt.