Showing the best: Start of applications for the Münsterland Innovation Award 2025/2026
Which innovation makes life easier? Which patent will make it onto the world market? What products stand out? The Münsterland Innovation Award is once again on the lookout for small and large innovations from companies and businesses in the Münsterland region. Under the motto "Together. Growth. Strengths. The Münsterland thinks ahead.", the region is now looking for the best innovations in six different categories.
Since 1993, the prize has been awarded every two years to Münsterland companies, universities and institutions that enrich the region with pioneering inventions, clever visions or forward-looking projects. Münsterland e.V. awards the Münsterland Innovation Prize together with the competition's sponsors, the savings banks in Münsterland, Provinzial Versicherung AG, Westenergie AG and Stadtwerke Münster GmbH. The prize is endowed with 4000 euros. In addition, an image or product film will be financed for the winners.
Six established categories offer the opportunity to enter your own idea, product or innovation in the competition until 16 February: "Business", "Science meets business", "Start-up", "Small and smart" and "Digital business models". New this year is the division of the "Business" category into two groups, each with its own award winner: companies with up to 250 employees and companies with 251 or more employees. There will also be a special prize again: The "Transformation Award for Sustainability Impact" honours companies that have made sustainability one of their fundamental principles in an outstanding way.
"With our categories and the division of the business category into two groups, we are recognising the diversity of our companies in the Münsterland region and giving it a high profile," says Andreas Grotendorst, CEO of Münsterland e.V. "As a strong business location, we are active in many sectors. We have expertise in small and medium-sized businesses as well as in large companies. The Innovation Award aims to showcase the best of all these Münsterland companies. So: please apply!"
"Innovations need attention, cohesion and strong partners. This is exactly what the savings banks in Münsterland can offer and support the Münsterland Innovation Award out of conviction so that the competitiveness of our region can continue to grow," says Peter Scholz, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Sparkasse Münsterland Ost, on behalf of the savings banks in Münsterland.
"The Münsterland Innovation Award shows us time and again how energetic and creative the companies in Münsterland are. They provide the urgently needed innovations that are the central basis for the sustainable growth of an economically successful region in which people enjoy living and working," says Michael Hein, Chief Representative Corporate Clients at Provinzial.
Saskia Kemner, Regional Manager of the Münsterland/East Westphalia region at Westenergie, confirms: "Innovations are urgently needed. They are the engine of the economy, the starting point for economic success and often also the driver for a rethink and a change of direction. As a company rooted in the Münsterland region, Westenergie supports the Innovation Award so that these pioneering projects can be given a platform, become visible and increase their impact in society."
"As a municipal utility, we are proud to support the Innovation Award. Because it honours strong companies that find solutions to challenges that we all increasingly have to deal with," says Sebastian Jurczyk, Chairman of the Management Board of Stadtwerke Münster.
The closing date for applications for the 2025/2026 Innovation Award is 16 February 2026. All information on the Innovation Award, the application process and the conditions of participation can be found at www.innovationspreis-muensterland.de.
The award ceremony will take place in Münster in summer 2026. Prior to this, a six-member jury with representatives from business and science will decide on the winners of the Münsterland Innovation Award.
