Application phase for the 19th IQ Innovation Prize started

With the cluster innovation competition IQ Innovationspreis Mitteldeutschland, the European metropolitan region of Central Germany promotes novel, marketable products, processes and services to increase innovation and competitiveness in Central Germany. The competition is held in five industry-specific clusters. IQ stands for innovation quotient.

As an umbrella brand, the nationwide competition with a focus on the region of Central Germany also binds the Innovation prizes of the cities of Halle (Saale) and Leipzig a. Applications from these cities therefore have double the chances of winning.

Why apply?

A total of over 60.000 euros in prize money will be awarded as part of the competition. Cluster winners receive a cash prize of 7.500 euros as well as extensive PR, marketing and consulting services. This includes a short image film on the innovation, an image text and a professional photo that will be published in the IQ finalist brochure. The award is accompanied by professional press work. The overall winner of the IQ Innovation Prize Central Germany also receives prize money of 15.000 euros.

The city winners from Halle (Saale) and Leipzig each receive a separate prize money of 5.000 euros.

How can you apply?

Marketable products, processes and services that have not been on the market for more than two years are awarded. But also potentially disruptive early-stage projects can be submitted and will be given equal consideration in the evaluation process. Each application must address at least one of the cluster categories of the IQ competition.

Who can apply?

The IQ is primarily aimed at young entrepreneurs (start-ups), founders, students and scientists. But also to existing companies. In principle, anyone can apply with an appropriate application subject (see "What can you apply for").

Applicants who do not come from the federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt or Thuringia must answer the following question during the application process:

What concrete impact will your innovation achieve in Central Germany and what measures will this be achieved through?

Applications for the IQ Innovation Prize Central Germany 2023 can only be submitted online using the application form from December 05th, 2022 to March 13th, 2023.

You can find more information here.