PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH and SOLAR MATERIALS GmbH, along with four other companies from eastern Germany, have been awarded the VORSPRUNG 2026, the business prize of the East German Economic Forum. The awards ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Berlin. The host was Elisabeth Kaiser, Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, who personally welcomed the award recipients. SOLAR MATERIALS GmbH was honored with the Special Start-up Award.
The VORSPRUNG award recognizes companies that impress with their innovative strength, forward-looking approach, and sustainable growth, thereby serving as exemplary models for economic transformation in Eastern Germany. The award is presented annually in the run-up to the East German Economic Forum (OWF), which this year takes place from May 31 to June 2 in Bad Saarow under the motto “A New (Dis)Order.”
Holger Lösch, Deputy Chief Executive of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and Managing Director of Land der Ideen Management GmbH: “The winners of the VORSPRUNG 2026 award demonstrate how the future is taking shape in Eastern Germany: innovatively, entrepreneurially, and with international connectivity. They stand for technological progress and new value creation, thereby impressively demonstrating the potential inherent in Eastern Germany as a business location.”
Elisabeth Kaiser, Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany: “It is a great pleasure for me to present the VORSPRUNG Business Award to outstanding business leaders. Each year, this award honors business leaders who set standards and shape our economy through their vision and commitment. Success in our economy has many faces. The award winners, selected by an independent jury, come from a wide variety of industries and demonstrate the diverse potential of the East German economy. I thank all the award winners for their inspiring achievements and look forward to further developments in our dynamic economy.”
Michael Richter, Minister of Economic Affairs for the State of Saxony-Anhalt, added: “PerioTrap is a company that exemplifies the economic dynamism and innovative strength of Saxony-Anhalt as a biotechnology hub. Such technology-oriented companies strengthen our state’s international competitiveness and create sustainable value. We also congratulate SOLAR MATERIALS on winning the Special Start-up Award. The company embodies the combination of technological innovation and a circular economy in practice and impressively demonstrates how sustainable resource use and economic growth can go hand in hand.”
About the Companies
PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH, based in Halle (Saale), is a biotechnology company founded in 2019 that develops microbiome-based products for the prevention of gum disease. The underlying technology aims to specifically block disease-relevant virulence factors of certain bacteria without disrupting the natural balance of the oral microbiome. The company emerged as a spin-off from Fraunhofer research and combines scientific development with clinical application and product development. PerioTrap markets its first products for use at home and in dental practices and is working on further scaling its active ingredient platform as well as expanding its international sales structures. Company & Investors – PerioTrap
SOLAR MATERIALS GmbH, based in Magdeburg, is a company founded in 2021 that develops and operates processes for recycling photovoltaic modules. The focus is on an automated, chemical-free process for recovering materials such as glass, aluminum, copper, silicon, and silver. The recycling plants have a modular design and are tailored for industrial applications. The company emerged from a research project and is working on further scaling its technology as well as expanding its capacities and activities in European markets. SOLAR MATERIALS Home - SOLAR MATERIALS
Other companies from Saxony-Anhalt that were nominated for the Vorsprung Award:
•point electronic GmbH: point electronic GmbH - Electronics and software for microscopy – point electronic
GmbH•Smela GmbH: Home | SMELA GmbH - smart electric actuators
Photos from the award ceremony (please note the copyright information provided): Link.
About the OWF:
The East German Economic Forum (OWF) is the most important platform for all topics related to East Germany as a business location. The OWF’s goal is to identify the opportunities and challenges facing the region as a business location, to connect relevant stakeholders from business, politics, academia, and society, and to develop solutions for the structural change and transformation processes that shape the region. With high-profile speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the OWF offers its participants the chance to actively engage in this important dialogue. ostdeutsches-wirtschaftsforum.de.
About Germany – Land of Ideas
Founded in 2006 by the German federal government and the German business community on the occasion of the World Cup, the Germany – Land of Ideas initiative promotes ideas and innovative strength in Germany. Together with partners from business, politics, academia, and civil society, Germany – Land of Ideas organizes competitions, networking projects, and the East German Economic Forum.
Press contact:
Germany – Land of Ideas
Linda Brandes, owf-presse@land-der-ideen.de