We are looking for you and your innovative and extraordinary ideas and business models. Are you a pupil, student, alumnus, or employee of a school or university in the Rheingau-Taunus district, or someone from the Rheingau-Taunus district with ideas that address ecological, innovative, social, or societal issues in an entrepreneurial way? Then you’ve come to the right place!

The categories: Where do you fit in?

Category 1: Best business idea from schools and universities

The three best entrepreneurial ideas from pupils, students, or employees of schools or universities based in the Rheingau-Taunus district, as well as participants in programs run by Gründungsfabrik Rheingau, will be awarded prizes. These ideas must have been developed within the last two years as part of a course, within programs run by Gründungsfabrik Rheingau, or as a result of some other impetus.

Your idea does not necessarily have to have been implemented yet, but the will to do so should be clearly evident!

Category 2: Best start-up from colleges/universities in the district

The award will be given to the three best entrepreneurial ideas and/or business models that have been implemented within the last two years by students, alumni, or employees of colleges and universities located in the district—EBS University, Geisenheim University, and Fresenius University—as well as participants in programs run by Gründungsfabrik Rheingau.

Your company or business idea may already have been established, but does not necessarily have to have started trading yet.

Category 3: Best start-up from the Rheingau-Taunus district

The award will be given to the three best entrepreneurial ideas from the population of the Rhein-Taunus district that have been implemented within the last two years.

Your company may have been founded, but it does not necessarily have to have started business operations yet. There must be a clear connection to the Rheingau-Taunus district.

The prizes: Kick-start for your start-up

The start-up prize will not finance your dream, but it will give your idea and its further development a little kick and provide you with a stage.

As a participant in one of the categories, you have the chance to win €1,500 (1st place), €1,000 (2nd place), or €500 (3rd place). You will also receive a wild card for a program at the Rheingau Start-up Factory.

Now it’s important: These are the dates you should already mark in your calendar:

Application period: from now until October 12, 2025

Announcement of finalists: October 29, 2025

Pitch final and award ceremony: November 12, 2025, at the “Neues Forum” of EBS University in Oestrich-Winkel

The jury: You need to impress these people

Your ideas and projects will be scrutinized in a two-stage selection process by a jury consisting of sponsors and representatives from both universities.

Stage 1: Selection of the best submissions for the final by the jury.

Stage 2: In the final, you will have to convince not only the jury but also the audience in the “New Forum” at EBS. Voting will be as follows: 70% jury and 30% audience.

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General conditions: A few rules for participation

Individuals or teams can apply.

Applications can only be made for one category.

The categories in detail:

Category 1: Open to business ideas from school pupils, students, and employees.

Category 2: Open to start-ups by students, alumni, or employees of the universities located in the RTK.

Category 3: Open to founders who are based in the Rheingau-Taunus district.

• The following must be submitted: A description of the start-up idea and a pitch deck with a maximum of 10 charts and all relevant information.
• Documents must be submitted using the application form below.
• At least one team member undertakes to represent the team at the final and award ceremony on November 12, 2025.
• Applicants assure that their submitted business ideas or business models originate exclusively from them and do not infringe on any third-party rights.
• Participants agree that their personal data, in particular their names and email addresses, will be stored beyond the duration of the competition.
• The winners agree that their names and a brief description of their ideas will be announced during the award ceremony and subsequently on the Gründungsfabrik Rheingau website and in a press release.
• The participants agree that photos and videos of the event may also be used by Gründungsfabrik and sponsors after the event.
• Incorrect information provided during registration or in connection with the submission will result in disqualification.

We look forward to an exciting competition!