Hamburg Innovation Award 2026
📍Award Ceremony:
18 June 2026
📍 Location:
Hamburg Innovation Summit (HHIS), Oberhafenquartier – Summit Stage
🗣 Language: English
Powered by Startup Port, Startup City Hamburg,
Innovationstarter (IFB Hamburg)
About the Award
The Hamburg Innovation Award (HHIA) is a flagship format of Hamburg’s innovation ecosystem. It highlights outstanding entrepreneurial talent and showcases the diversity and strength of early-stage innovation in the region.
The award aims to
- Increase visibility of Hamburg’s startup ecosystem
- Empower early-stage founders and innovative teams
- Promote entrepreneurship as a viable career path
- Provide high-quality pitch experience on a leading stage
- Strengthen collaboration across the innovation ecosystem
Award Categories 2026
Ideation – powered by Startup Port
For pre-seed teams in the ideation or very early founding phase
Start – powered by Startup City Hamburg
For startups post-market entry (up to 5 years)
International Founders – powered by Innovationstarter (IFB Hamburg)
A high-potential category spotlighting founders with migration backgrounds building innovative startups in Hamburg and / or scaling their ideas within a global ecosystem.
What Finalists Receive
- All 9 finalists receive:
- 🎤 Pitch on the main stage of the Hamburg Innovation Summit (HHIS)
- 🏢 Exhibition booth at HHIS
- 🌍 High visibility in front of leading investors, corporates, and ecosystem players
- + Category-Specific Awards
Category-Specific Awards
What category winners get on top
Winners of
Ideation
🏡 Betahaus Memberships:
A total of six 6-month memberships for winning teams (co-working access to foster further development and collaboration)
Winners of
Start
💼 Bitkom Membership:
One-year free membership to Germany’s leading digital industry association, providing access to a powerful network, industry insights, and policy dialogue
Winners of
International Founders
✈️ Participation in the International Founders Awards (IFA) Summit in Frankfurt
🚀 Access to an exclusive international bootcamp program (for up to 6 selected teams)
About the Hamburg Innovation Summit (HHIS)
- Hamburg Innovation Summit (HHIS) is the largest innovation event in Hamburg and the metropolitan region. Across 5+ stages and over 1,800 square meters of exhibition space, Hamburg’s innovation scene presents practical solutions and new ideas.
- At HHIS, you’ll forge valuable connections by engaging with people who, just like you, are passionate about innovation. Discuss ideas, discover new perspectives, and be inspired by visionary speakers.
- Join us and become part of a movement that makes an impact.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 03 May 2026 (23:59)
- Finalists Announcement: until 30 May 2026
- Final Pitch & Award Ceremony: 18 June 2026 (HHIS)
Format
- 9 finalists (3 per category)
- 3-minute live pitches on stage (no slides)
- Jury-based evaluation with confidential voting
How to apply
- Choose you category
- Download Registration Documents
- Fill out the application form
Contact & Project Lead
Donald Mekountchou
Project Lead – Hamburg Innovation Award 2026
Startup Port
📧 mekountchou@hamburginnovation.de
📞 +49 (0)40 2289907-11
„Winning the award helped us to make our innovation visible in Hamburg.“
Benny Jürgens
Nect GmbH
„We were absolutely delighted to win the Hamburg Innovation Award 2022. We’ve highlighted it in our marketing and in direct customer conversations, and have been frequently asked about it since. The award has helped us at LUIS Technology to continue our growth trajectory with renewed vigor.“
Dr. Matthias S. G. Feistel
LUIS Technology GmbH
„The startup scene in Hamburg thrives on new ideas and great founders. HHIA 2026 provides an appropriate platform, and I am looking forward to getting to know many of these great ideas and people as a juror.“
Marc Engelmann
Boomerangpack UG