Starting today, creativity, courage, and a spirit of innovation are once again in demand: The BESTFORM AWARD 2027 has officially begun. Stefanie Pötzsch, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, opened the 8th round of the State of Saxony-Anhalt’s creativity award at Urwahn Engineering GmbH in Magdeburg.
Starting now, companies, founders, creative professionals, students, researchers, and institutions can submit their ideas, concept sketches, products, concepts, prototypes, product ideas, services, and projects. It is important that a creative achievement be recognizable in any application. The PRODUCT category focuses on new concepts, products, projects, strategies, and services that are already on the market. The CONCEPT category centers on visionary approaches, forward-looking perspectives, and projects that are not yet on the market. Applications are submitted online—it’s simple and free. The deadline for submissions is November 13, 2026. The Ministry of Economics, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry of the State of Saxony-Anhalt serves as the event’s patron.
The BESTFORM AWARD honors creative solutions that advance the economy, society, and everyday life in new ways. They are also intended to showcase the potential that Saxony-Anhalt has to offer. The Investment and Marketing Corporation of Saxony-Anhalt mbH organizes and coordinates the state competition on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
To symbolically kick off the competition, State Secretary Stefanie Pötzsch placed the first marker on an ideas wall. She emphasized: “Creative ideas are a key driver of innovation and economic development. The BESTFORM AWARD highlights just how much inventiveness, creative drive, and forward-looking expertise exist in Saxony-Anhalt. I invite all creative minds in the state to seize this opportunity and submit their ideas.”
Host Sebastian Meinecke, managing director of URWAHN Engineering GmbH, highlighted the competition’s significance for the state’s innovation landscape: “The best ideas often emerge where people bring together different perspectives and have the courage to rethink things. The competition offers a great platform to showcase projects, make valuable connections, and gain recognition for creative achievements. Anyone with an idea should seize this opportunity now and apply.”
A look back at the previous competition round shows that applying is well worth it: In 2025, with more than 100 submissions, the number of projects reached an all-time high. The first-place winners each received 10,000 euros in prize money. The winners included Olschak Stahl + Design from Aschersleben for an innovative retrofit front spray bar for fire trucks, as well as design students Carla Wirths and Max Koch for their project “Sip Bag,” a living wound dressing. Anyone who wants to write the next success story can apply starting now.
Key dates at a glance:
- Start: June 24, 2026
- Application deadline: November 13, 2026
- Jury Session 1, Selection of Finalists: January 27, 2027
Jury Session 2, Pitches and Selection of Winners: February 24, 2027- Awards Ceremony: May 26, 2027
Key terms at a glance:
- The State of Saxony-Anhalt’s Creative Award has been launched.
- Enter online at www.bestform-sachsen-anhalt.de
- Key eligibility requirements: a new creative idea with potential; headquarters or place of business in Saxony-Anhalt
- Two categories: PRODUCT (already on the market), CONCEPT (not yet on the market)
- Prize money for first-place winners in both categories: 10,000 euros; total prize money up to 30,000 euros
Press contact:
Manuela Bock
Phone: 0176/72 22 69 80
Email: manuela.bock@img-sachsen-anhalt.de
For more information, visit: www.kreativ-sachsen-anhalt.de and www.bestform-sachsen-anhalt.de
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