The Spark –
The German Digital Award

For the ninth time, Handelsblatt and McKinsey award The Spark – The German Digital Prize to exceptional and innovative start-ups whose ideas have the potential to fundamentally and sustainably change markets.

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Your AI ideas for innovation and transformation in the B2B market

AI for Business

Generative AI has permeated our lives and promises to become the transformative technology of our time. However, the benefits of AI in all its variations can only materialize if companies are ready for profound change. With the German Digital Prize 2024, Handelsblatt and McKinsey & Company honor AI startups from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland that have developed innovative solutions and business models driving this transformation forward. Innovative AI solutions are sought after, ones that unlock new growth opportunities or enhance cross-functional productivity within companies or along process chains.

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The award for digital start-ups

For the ninth time, Handelsblatt and McKinsey award the best digital start-ups with The Spark Award. Each year, a focus theme is defined. This year, the theme is “AI for Business,” which highlights start- ups whose business ideas utilise AI at their core and have the potential to improve business processes across various industries.

Every year, a topic-specific expert jury is assembled. This jury selects the winners from the pre-defined 10 finalists, who will be announced during the festive awards ceremony on November 14th in Berlin.

Apply now and seize your chance to win the coveted Digital Award – The Spark.

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2024

Benefits

As a winner or finalist of The Spark, you will receive a variety of advantages worth approximately €30,000 in total.

Coaching for the jury session

Integration into the McKinsey & Handelsblatt event

Presentation of your business idea at the award ceremony in front of a C-level audience

Personal contact and exchange with the experts of The Spark jury

Networking with The Spark alumni

Finalist icon for your own marketing

Participation in the award ceremony

Presentation on the-spark.de

Finalists advertisement in Handelsblatt

Animated film for the winning company

The Spark trophy for the winning company

Winner portrait in Handelsblatt

*Gross media value according to the current price lists of the Handelsblatt Media Group. Not payable in cash.

Nominating Committee

The Nomination Committee, comprised of representatives from McKinsey and Handelsblatt, as well as scientific subject matter experts, identifies the top 10 start-ups from all applications based on four evaluation criteria: novelty, scalability, customer benefit, and ESG criteria.

The Jury 2024

A selected panel of experts will choose the winners from the top 10 start-ups. During the jury session, all top 10 start-ups will pitch their business idea to the jury. This provides all finalists with the opportunity to network with distinguished representatives from science and industry.

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