Germany's start2grow crowns 2024's top startups in 25th-anniversary finale

Ten startups took centre stage at the finale of start2grow, Germany's national startup competition. The event also marked the 25th anniversary of the programme, drawing attendees like Dortmund's Lord Mayor Alexander Kalouti and past winners. A total of €94,000 in prize money was awarded to the most promising new businesses.

The competition began with 101 submitted business plans, narrowing down to ten finalists. The top three spots went to Spree Monitoring GmbH from Berlin, along with Dortmund-based cargovibe UG and wailand GmbH. Each of the three winners presented innovative solutions in their fields.

Spree Monitoring GmbH uses ultrasound technology to detect early signs of bridge damage. Meanwhile, cargovibe UG is developing an AI-powered platform to link truck drivers, freight companies, and infrastructure providers. Wailand GmbH offers an AI-driven system that automates engineering workflows and product variant generation.

The awards ceremony included speeches from Dörte Schabsky, founder of Work Inn (now Rivvers), and Dr. Ingo Dahm. Dahm highlighted how start2grow had taught him essential skills for building a company and managing crises. Both wailand and cargovibe also received an additional €5,000 each as special prizes from the Dortmund Technology Center (TZDO).

The event celebrated a quarter-century of supporting startups, with no further updates yet on market expansion or partnerships for Spree Monitoring GmbH. The winners now move forward with their prize funds and recognition, aiming to grow their businesses in the coming months.