Sponsors and patrons
The Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises of the State of Berlin and the Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy of the State of Brandenburg have assumed patronage of BPW. In addition, the project is co-financed by the European Social Fund.
Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises
Year after year, the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition supports people with good ideas on their path to self-employment, thereby strengthening the start-up ecosystem in our metropolitan region. Whether it’s a digital start-up, a craft business or a social enterprise: here, founders find support, expertise and a strong network to help them develop successful business models.
The fact that the 2026 competition once again met with a great response, attracting 655 participants, underlines the innovative strength and entrepreneurial spirit in our region. The 47.1 per cent proportion of women is particularly encouraging. After all, innovation thrives on diverse perspectives. The more women who start businesses, the more diverse and sustainable our economy becomes.
I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and look forward to your future successes.
The Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action of the state of Brandenburg
Together, we can look back on over 30 years of the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition – and on a truly impressive track record: almost 13,000 business plans submitted since the competition was founded. This is far more than just a figure – it is, in fact, striking proof of how many people in Berlin and Brandenburg embody creativity, courage and a willingness to take on responsibility. And this figure is proof that Brandenburg and Berlin not only have a vibrant start-up scene, but also a culture that fosters innovation – and that innovation pays off.
The Business Plan Competition not only provides founders with a platform, but also structure, feedback and visibility. The competition is also a sustainable driver of growth and jobs. Today’s prize-winners are tomorrow’s employers – and often the very people whose solutions make our society a little better.
I am particularly pleased that the competition has become even more diverse and digital in recent years. More and more women, more and more people from migrant backgrounds, and more and more female entrepreneurs from rural areas are seizing the opportunity to turn their visions into reality. This is no coincidence – it is the result of targeted measures: from mentoring programmes to specific advisory services.
Digitalisation, sustainability and securing a skilled workforce are currently key economic challenges and are also reflected in the proposals submitted. This shows that the start-up scene in Berlin and Brandenburg is not only creative but also forward-looking. It is developing solutions to the pressing issues of our time – whether through green technologies, social innovations or new working models.
With this in mind, I would like to thank everyone involved – all the applicants, the judges and organisers, and, of course, all our prize winners.