Funkenwerk Award 2026: Your Idea. Your Stage!

1. Purpose and Organizer

The Funkenwerk Award honors innovative startup projects with technological innovation and social impact that originated in the university environment. Organizer: Funkenwerk at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (THA_funkenwerk).

1. Eligibility

Eligible to participate are individuals and teams from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, the University of Augsburg, Kempten University of Applied Sciences, and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, provided their projects

• have a demonstrable connection to the respective university—for example, through inspiration or support provided in the context of courses, startup consulting, entrepreneurship programs, or comparable formats—
• can demonstrate affiliation with a university: At least one person on the team is or was enrolled, employed, or otherwise associated with one of the aforementioned universities (e.g., through a scholarship),
• are pursuing an idea with societal impact (e.g., in the areas of AI, technology, energy, sustainability, society, or comparable fields) and have identified an entrepreneurial solution for it,
• have not yet formally established a company (e.g., GmbH, UG, AG),
• can demonstrate initial steps toward implementation (e.g., prototype, pilot customers, partnerships, marketing efforts, funding).

The organizer may reject applications if these requirements are not met.

1. Application and Deadlines

• Applications must be submitted exclusively via the provided online form.
• The character limits for the form are mandatory.
• Applications may be submitted individually or as a team.
• Deadline: October 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
• Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.

1. Travel Expenses

Any travel expenses incurred must be covered by the participants themselves and will not be reimbursed.

1. Selection and Evaluation Criteria

Selection of Finalist Teams

The THA_funkenwerk team will review all complete and eligible (Section 2) submissions and nominate the five best startup projects for the finals. From these, the jury will select the three winning teams during the live pitch.

The idea will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Business Idea
2. Degree of innovation
3. Chances of economic success
4. Social contribution/impact
5. Team competence
6. Pitch & Finals

Notification of Finalist Status

• We will notify all participants in a timely manner via email whether they have advanced to the finals.
• Awards Ceremony: October 29, 2026, at 4:45 p.m. Please mark your calendars.

The jury consists of independent experts from the startup networks of the participating universities, as well as, where applicable, other specialists from business, academia, and society.

On-stage pitch

• 3-minute pitch: Presentation of the idea
• Followed by a brief question-and-answer session with the jury (Q&A).
• Afterward, the jury will deliberate and select the three winning teams based on the pitch and the evaluation criteria (business idea, degree of innovation, prospects for economic success, societal contribution/impact, and team competence).
• The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be contested. Winning projects will subsequently be announced through THA’s channels and recognized for their innovative achievements. In addition, the winning teams will receive in-kind prizes to support their further startup activities.

Awards and Recognition

As part of the award, the winning teams will also receive:

• Access to coaching during specialized startup consultation sessions,
• Support from THA_funkenwerk and its network,
• Matching with a suitable mentor,
• increased visibility through public relations efforts and opportunities to present at other events,
• a certificate as formal recognition.

1. Rights to Content and Confidentiality

• Rights remain with the participants.
• Applications will be treated confidentially until the end of the competition and will not be shared with third parties.
• Participants warrant that their submissions are original and do not infringe on the rights of third parties. Participants indemnify the organizer against any claims asserted against it as a result of the participant’s submission infringing on the rights of third parties.
• Participants are aware that, for the purposes of the finals, pitches may be publicly viewable; therefore, sensitive information should not be disclosed.
• Right of Use for PR: After the competition ends, titles, brief descriptions, and photos/videos of the Funkenwerk may be used by the Funkenwerk for reporting and public relations in connection with the Funkenwerk Award 2026 (website, social media, newsletters, events) without any time or geographical restrictions, on a non-exclusive basis, and free of charge. No separate compensation will be paid.

1. Data Protection (Brief Information pursuant to Art. 13 GDPR)

• Data Controller: Funkenwerk at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, An der Hochschule 1, 86161 Augsburg, Email: funkenwerk@tha.de.
• Purposes/Legal Bases: Conducting the competition, including communication, the jury process, and billing (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR); Public relations activities in connection with the Funkenwerk Award 2026 based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).
• Recipients: internal competition committee, jury; service providers as needed (data processing on behalf of the controller).
• Retention period: Application materials will be stored for up to 12 months after the end of the competition; beyond that, only to the extent that statutory retention obligations apply or you have given your consent (PR content).
• Rights: Right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability, and objection; withdrawal of consent with future effect; right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority.
• Photos/Videos: By participating in the finals, you consent to being photographed or filmed and to the use of such recordings for PR purposes (see Section 7). You may revoke this consent; however, content that has already been published remains unaffected.

1. Liability and Indemnification

• Accuracy: False information may result in disqualification; prizes already awarded may be revoked.
• Indemnification: Participants indemnify the organizer and THA against any third-party claims arising from the submission (in particular, infringements of copyright, trademark, trade name, and personality rights).
• Limitation of Liability: The organizer is liable only for willful misconduct and gross negligence, as well as for injury to life, limb, or health. No liability is assumed for statements made by jury members or third parties.

1. Conduct of the Contest and Waiver of Claims

• The organizer may cancel, modify, or postpone the contest for good cause (e.g., low participation, force majeure, legal reasons).
• There is no entitlement to participation, nomination, or the awarding of prizes. Legal recourse is excluded.

1. In-Kind Prizes and Notice Regarding State Aid (De Minimis)

• Instead of cash prizes, winners will receive in-kind support worth up to a maximum of €1,000 per person (e.g., grants for materials, prototypes, books, workshops, or comparable services). These in-kind benefits must be used exclusively for the further development of the respective startup idea and may not be used for personal purposes.
• These in-kind benefits are considered state aid within the meaning of the De Minimis Regulation (EU) No. 2023/2831. The total amount of all de minimis aid received within the last three tax years may not exceed €300,000.
• A prerequisite for the provision of in-kind resources is the submission of a de minimis declaration by the winner.
• Without this declaration, the in-kind resources cannot be provided.

1. Severability Clause

Should individual provisions be or become invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. The invalid provision shall be replaced by the legally permissible provision that most closely approximates its original intent and purpose.

1. Acceptance

By submitting their application, participants accept these terms and conditions.