Participation
Conditions of participation
Innovative individuals, start-up teams and companies based in Saxony (if not yet established) are eligible to enter the Saxon Start-up Award.
A completed start-up process is not required, but should be aimed for in the current competition year. The company must have been founded after January 1, 2016.
The innovative idea must have high market and growth potential.
The Saxon Start-up Award also aims to promote and support the further development of innovative business concepts in Saxony. For this reason, individuals/founder teams who have already submitted a business concept to a previous competition are also eligible to take part.
Winners from previous years are excluded from participation if they wish to compete again with the same business concept. All non-winners can participate again if they have significantly developed their business model.
From the application to the award ceremony
An overview of the competition process for the Saxon State Prize for Reasons.
Step 1: Application phase
October 30, 2025 to February 25, 2026
In the first step of the competition, you fill out the application form. This fully digital process includes general questions about your ideas and the team as well as detailed information about the business model, customer segments and competition.
Step 2: Examination & jury assignment
Beginning of March 2026
At the start of the evaluation phase, we will check all applications received for completeness, innovative content and compliance with the formal criteria. We will then assign your submission to three suitable jurors who will expertly evaluate your project.
Step 3: 1st evaluation round
Mid-March to the beginning of April 2026
The independent jury now carries out the evaluation. Each member evaluates three applications using an evaluation matrix.
The following evaluation criteria are used:
- Customer benefit and innovative content
- Team constellation and feasibility and
- Commercialization and market potential
The teams/companies are assigned to the respective categories based on the founding year stated in the application.
The three entries with the highest scores in each category are nominated for the Saxon Start-up Award.
Step 4: Announcement of nominees
Beginning of April 2025
It will be exciting: We will announce the nominees via our social media channels, our website, as a press release and by email.
All nominees will be included in the futureSAX alumni network.
Step 5: Nominee kick-off meeting
April 17, 2026, online
The nominees for the Saxon State Prize for Reasons meet in an informative online meeting to get to know each other, be informed about the further process and ask questions.
Step 6: Pitch training
May 7, 2026
As part of the Saxon Start-up Forum in Dresden, the nominees will receive pitch training with a renowned communications trainer in preparation for the 2nd evaluation round.
Step 7: 2nd evaluation round
May 20, 2026, Dresden
In the second evaluation round, the nominees present their concepts in short ten-minute presentations to a panel of experts - chaired by the Saxon State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection
Each presentation is followed by a ten-minute question and answer session. The jury then evaluates the concepts again according to the above criteria and determines the winners of the individual categories as well as the distribution of the prize money.
Step 8: Shooting the nominee films
Beginning of April 2026 to beginning of June 2026
The film agency significant.pictures produces an image film for each nominated team/company, in which the people involved and the concept are presented, as well as a portrait format video that focuses on the idea itself. Both videos will be published via the futureSAX channels and can also be used by the nominees themselves. The film team will contact you individually to arrange a date.
Step 9: Exhibition of the innovation and award at the Saxon Innovation Conference 2026
June 17, 2026, Dresden
Every idea whose application is accepted will receive a free exhibition space at the Saxon Innovation Conference 2026 in Dresden. Present your concept to around 1500 participants!
The #IK26 will culminate in the evening with the award ceremony for the winners of the Saxon State Prize for Reasons 2026.