Empowering Female Founders
We are back with our 2026 edition for the Women Startup Award!
This award isn't just about winning a prize – it's about providing women in tech with a platform to showcase their talent, gain valuable skills, and connect with industry leaders. Becoming a finalist is a win in itself! You'll be immersed in an exclusive program that includes an intensive preparation and guidance phase. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to present your venture at the spectacular Pitch Night and Award Ceremony.
Jade Robinson (Linq Photonics) | 1st prize winner from 2025
Naomi Jaguttis (Nuno Labs) | 2nd prize winner from 2025
Amelie Skopp and Matea Marosevic (Verdira) | 3rd prize winners from 2025
It was such a rewarding journey. I’m also touched by the mission of the award in supporting women in tech, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The topic is so important, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
Women Startup Award 2025 Finalist
Benefits For All Our Finalists
- Dedicated sparring sessions with our "Angels"
- Exclusive Live Training & Workshops
- Individual Coaching and Expert Feedback
- Enhanced Visibility
- Individual Pitch Feedback session in front of expert jury
Prizes For The Winners
1. Prize: 7.500 €
2. Prize: 4.500 €
3. Prize: 3.000 €
Special Prize "Artificial Intelligence": 3.000 €
Special Prize "Smart Infrastructure & Cities": 3.000 €
The prizes will be presented during our award ceremony on November 19th.
Our Women Startup Angels
All our finalists have the extraordinary opportunity to engage with prominent figures from the startup and corporate landscape, receiving personalized guidance and support to propel their venture to new heights.
Application
To apply for the Women Startup Award, you and your team must meet the following criteria:
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You have at least one female founder in your team,
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You should either live, study or plan your project in Bavaria,
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You're in the early founding stage and aren't yet officially founded,
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You already have a team or are looking for a co-founder,
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Your idea or product has a reference to technology.
How to apply
Follow the four steps below to complete your application and get the chance to become a finalist of the Women Startup Award 2026:
- Review the entire form to understand what is required. Please note that all applications must be submitted in English.
- Prepare what you need: You have to attach a pitch deck and a video message—find more info in the application form.
- No Save Progress: You cannot save your progress, so make sure to gather all necessary information before starting the form.
- Submission: Ensure your application is complete and submitted before the deadline.
Deadline: June 15, 2026 | 23:59
What Happens After You Apply
All applications are reviewed by a team of UnternehmerTUM startup coaches and experts, with nominations from our Regional Partners taken into consideration. Around 20 pre-finalists will be selected and invited to the Entry Gate Pitches – a two-day hybrid event hosted by one of our Regional Partners in Bavaria. Pre-finalists will present their pitch decks and take questions from the panel, after which a jury of UnternehmerTUM experts and Regional Partner representatives will select 8–10 finalists to advance.
Our Regional Partners
Bringing the Award Closer to You
A new key feature of the 2026 Women Startup Award is the introduction of Regional Partners across Bavaria. Working closely with local startup ecosystems, we aim to reach ambitious women entrepreneurs beyond the major metropolitan hubs – wherever great ideas are taking shape. Regional Partners also have the opportunity to nominate startups from their networks, helping us discover exceptional founder talent across the region.
Our Jury
Our jury brings together visionary leaders from the startup ecosystem and corporate world, combining diverse expertise and an eye for transformative potential to identify the most promising female founders of tomorrow. More jurors will be announced soon.
Our Expert Pool
Our curated pool of experts, mentors and coaches is here to equip our finalists with their expertise during the training and coaching phase. Stay tuned – more experts coming soon.
Pitch Night Ceremony
Witness the future of female-led tech startups at the Women Startup Award 2026 Pitch Night! Save the date and sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date when the ticket sale starts.
The Women Startup Award 2026 is supported by
Main Prize Partners
Special Prize Partners
Network Partners
