German Innovation Award 2025
The 2025 Awards Ceremony: Where Ideas Shape the Future
Under the guiding theme “Where Will Your Innovation Take Us?”, the ceremony spotlighted not only visionary products and services, but also what drives them: mindset, responsibility, and a readiness for change.
“Innovation helps us refocus on what truly matters: the wow, the change, the courage to take a stand.”
– Prof. Dr Anabel Ternès von Hattburg, President, Club of Budapest Germany
Three powerful takeaways
- Innovation needs context.
The panel discussion featuring Prof. Dr Sven Schimpf (Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research), Frank Bösenberg (Silicon Saxony), and Lutz Dietzold (CEO, German Design Council) made one thing clear: long-term innovation requires a deep understanding of origins, values and societal impact.
“We have many starting points – such as connecting businesses with the scientific community in the region, or funding structures that are specifically tailored to the unique needs of these areas.”
– Prof Dr-Ing Sven Schimpf, Head of the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research
- Technology is not an end in itself.
Real innovation emerges from real needs – not from the ivory tower. This was echoed by the winning projects, which ranged from AI-powered platforms and resource-efficient construction methods to circular product solutions.
“Basically: you do something, you try it out, and then you adapt it. You realise something isn’t quite working – and that’s just how it goes.”
– Bianca Hanauer, Creative Lead, Stokke
- Exchange matters.
Progress is a team effort. And it happens when diverse perspectives come together – from business, science, design and beyond. Dialogue wasn’t a side note, but the foundation of the evening.
“I believe that here in Germany, we need to collaborate more closely – with the strengths we already have: with universities, with startups.”
– Aida Rizvo, Group CEO, JEMAKO
Projects, perspectives and conversations shaped this year’s award ceremony – showing that innovation isn’t about company size, but about mindset, impact, and the courage to think differently.
