futureSAX: The nominees for the Saxon State Prize for Start-ups 2026 have been announced

On behalf of the Saxon State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection, futureSAX, the innovation platform of the Free State of Saxony, is organizing the competition for the Saxon Start-up Award 2026. The Free State awards the prize annually to the best innovative business ideas and start-up concepts. In addition to access to the futureSAX network with over 12,000 contacts from science and business, prize money of up to 30,000 euros and accompanying public relations work await the winners.

In the first round of judging, the expert jury selected 9 of the 116 innovative applications for the second round of judging. There, the teams are allowed to pitch their business concept to a jury and answer their questions. The jury will select the winners, who will be announced at the Saxon Innovation Conference on 17.06.2026 in Dresden.

Saxon Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Panter: “The companies and teams nominated for the Saxon Start-up Award impressively demonstrate how much innovative strength and entrepreneurial courage there is in Saxony. Especially in times of economic and technological upheaval, start-ups are a key driver of growth, employment and the renewal of our location. They bring new ideas into application and open up future markets. Saxony offers strong conditions for this – from an excellent research landscape to a closely networked innovation ecosystem. With the Founder Award, we are making this dynamic visible and for the first time taking a look at all stages, from newcomers to scale-ups that are already successfully on course for growth. I congratulate all the nominees and look forward to the award ceremony at the Saxon Innovation Conference in June 2026.”

Susanne Stump, Managing Director of futureSAX GmbH adds: “When I look at the nominees for the Saxon Start-up Award 2026, I am impressed by the quality of the applications. These are teams that are working on highly interesting solutions with passion, enormous commitment and real market relevance. The range of topics and the founders’ courageous forward-looking approach are important signals for the business location and proof of the diversity of the start-up scene in Saxony. I am already looking forward to meeting the nominees in person at the Saxon Innovation Conference in Dresden on June 17, 2026.”

The following teams and companies have been nominated for the Saxon Start-up Award 2026:

In the category Newcomer of the Year (companies that were founded in 2025 or will be founded by the end of 2026):

• clever bioTechnologies: AI-based software for the flexibilization and automation of agricultural biogas plants
• FlexPower: Printable, rechargeable and lithium-free energy storage for smart electronics
• Leaftronics: Recyclable printed circuit boards for the circular economy in electronics

In the Start-up of the Year category (companies founded between 2021 and 2024):

• Altavo GmbH: AI-based artificial voice for voiceless people
• Meliodays Medical GmbH: Intrauterine therapy for long-term treatment of severe menstrual pain
• OLOID Engineering GmbH: Energy-efficient agitation, rolling and aeration systems for water and wastewater treatment

In the category Scale-up of the Year (companies founded between 2016 and 2020):

• Bio SAW GmbH: Surface acoustic wave sensor platform for quantitative real-time diagnostics in cardiology and neurology
• Demecan Holding GmbH: Establishment of an independent medical cannabis industry in Saxony
• HolyPoly GmbH: Circular plastic products, take-back systems and custom-fit materials for brand manufacturers

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Further links

👉 https://www.futuresax.de/ 
👉 More information on the nominees
👉 All information on the Saxon Start-up Award
👉 https://www.sachsen.de/