Special Social Entrepreneurs Award
How to take part in the Social Entrepreneurs special prize
Innovative, commercially active social enterprises based in Saxony are eligible to enter the special Social Entrepreneurs prize. The companies that have already been founded operate in a market-oriented and public welfare-oriented manner.
The company must have been founded after January 1, 2020.
The Saxon Founder Award also aims to promote and support the further development of innovative business concepts in Saxony. Therefore, individuals/founder teams who have already submitted a business concept in a previous competition are also eligible to participate.
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 Special Social Entrepreneurs Award
Step 1: Application phase
October 30, 2024 to March 10, 2025
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
Mid-March 2025
At the start of the evaluation phase, we will check all applications received for completeness 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 2025
The independent jury now carries out the evaluation. Each member evaluates three applications using an evaluation matrix.
The following evaluation criteria are used:
- Social/ecological sustainability and market potential (60%)
- Innovation content (20 %)
- Team constellation & feasibility (20 %)
The three best submissions are nominated.
Step 4: Nominee announcement
Mid-April 2025
It will be exciting: We will announce the nominees for the special award via our social media channels, our website, as a press release and by email.
Step 5: Exhibition of the innovation and award ceremony at the Saxon Innovation Conference
June 25, 2025, Dresden
Every idea whose application is accepted will receive a free exhibition space at the Saxon Innovation Conference 2025 in Dresden. Present your concept to the approx. 1000 participants!
The award ceremony for the three Saxon State Prizes 2025 and the special prizes will take place in the evening.
Step 6: Shooting the company portrait
July 2025
The film agency significant.pictures produces a film for the winner of the special prize, in which the people involved and the concept are presented, as well as a portrait video that focuses on the company itself. Both videos will be published via the futureSAX channels and can also be used by the winners themselves. The film team will contact you to arrange a date.
