Formnext organiser Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH is now inviting submissions for its eighth Start-up Challenge, a competition open to companies that are no more than five years old. A company will also be selected from the applicants to receive the AM Impact Ventures Award to highlight the importance of sustainability. The deadline for applications is July 1, 2022, with winners announced in September.

Winning the Formnext Start-up Challenge has given an important boost to the market entry of a number of international companies, including 3Yourmind, Dyemansion, Kumovis, Sinterit, Spectroplast, Trinckle 3D, Xioneer and others.

“The visibility is extremely helpful,” stated Dr Miriam Haerst, co-founder of Kumovis. “You also get direct feedback from the market, which may not always be comfortable. Ultimately, though, it gives you an opportunity to keep developing and perfecting your product.”

Sascha F Wenzler, vice president, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, added, “The experience of the past years has clearly shown how important it is for young and innovative companies to present their business ideas and developments to an international audience of industry professionals. A dedicated event such as Formnext provides the perfect environment in which to establish and maintain business relationships with customers and partners, as well as explore potential investments.”

In addition to the award, the five winners will each receive a Formnext exhibition and marketing package, which includes, among other things, a fully equipped exhibition booth in the Formnext 2022 Start-up Area and inclusion in all relevant and worldwide Formnext marketing and communication activities. The winners can participate in a pitch event as part of Formnext, and receive an individual company profile from a media sponsor as well as corporate coaching from a member of the judging panel.

AM Ventures Impact Award 2022

For the third time, a company with a particularly sustainable approach will receive the AM Ventures Impact Award as part of the Start-up Challenge.

“With this award, we want to give the topic of sustainability the attention it deserves as part of the Start-up Challenge,” explained Arno Held, Managing Partner at AM Ventures. “We encourage all entrepreneurs to present us their approaches for a sustainable world.”

In its evaluation, AM Ventures is guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All participants of the Formnext Start-up Challenge are automatically entered into the competition. The winner will receive prize money of €5,000 and the opportunity to present themselves to the Formnext audience in a pitch.

Any up-and-coming company with a product or service that is market-ready in terms of customers, product status, and revenue can take part in the Formnext Start-up Challenge, provided the startup is not majority-owned by an established company and was founded after January 1, 2017.

More information is available via the event website.

www.formnext.de