STRASCHEG AWARD OF HDBW 2026
Do you have an innovative business idea and dream of starting your own venture? Then seize your opportunity and apply for the Strascheg Award of HDBW 2026.
As part of the renowned Ideas Award hosted by the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE), HDBW students and alumni have the opportunity to showcase their ideas, connect with entrepreneurial experts and innovators, and compete for a prize of €2,000.
Application deadline: 27 September 2026
HDBW – Shaping Future Entrepreneurs. Turning Ideas into Impact.
Bringing Entrepreneurial Ideas to the Stage
For the second consecutive year, HDBW is organizing its own business idea competition within the framework of the Ideas Award of the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE) at Munich University of Applied Sciences, one of HDBW’s long-standing strategic partners.
The competition is open to HDBW students and alumni, whether applying individually or as a team. Participants should have an innovative business idea and a clear ambition to transform it into a successful venture.
The Strascheg Award provides an excellent platform to present ideas, receive valuable feedback from entrepreneurship experts, and gain visibility within Munich’s vibrant startup ecosystem. At the same time, participants can expand their professional network, connect with like-minded innovators, and further develop their projects.
At its core, the competition celebrates the Entrepreneurial Spirit of HDBW — encouraging students and graduates to turn innovative ideas into impactful businesses.
The three best HDBW teams will qualify for the final event on 17 November 2026 at Hochschule München (HM), where they will pitch their projects to a jury, guests, and a live audience.
The winning team will be honored with the Strascheg Award of HDBW and receive a cash prize of €2,000.
Apply Now
Applications may be submitted in German or English and must include:
- A compelling pitch presentation
- A short video introducing the idea
- CVs of all team members
Show your Entrepreneurial Spirit, present your vision to a live audience, and take the next step toward building your own company.
Download the presentation template:Read-Deck Template
Submit your application to:strascheg-award@hdbw-hochschule.de
Application deadline: 27 September 2026
Selection Process
In a multi-stage evaluation process, entrepreneurship experts from HDBW will review all submitted applications. The three highest-ranked teams will advance to the final round.
The jury will assess submissions based on the following criteria:
- Problem statement
- Solution approach
- Degree of innovation
- Market potential
- Feasibility and implementation plan
Final Event and Award Ceremony
17 November 2026 | Munich University of Applied Sciences
The finalists will pitch their business ideas live in front of a jury, invited guests, and the audience. Each team will have approximately three minutes to present their idea, explain its value proposition, and demonstrate its market potential.
Following the presentations, the winner of the Strascheg Award of HDBW 2026 will be announced and awarded.
The event will conclude with a networking get-together featuring food and refreshments, offering participants the opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow founders, industry experts, guests, and members of the entrepreneurship community.
Important Information for Finalists
By participating in the public final event, finalist teams agree that HDBW may document and promote the award ceremony and participating projects as part of its communication and marketing activities. This may include social media coverage, interviews, photography, video recordings, and editorial reporting.
