Award-winning innovations - Made in Germany: This year, for the third time, WELT is awarding the "German AI Prize" for outstanding contributions to the research and development as well as the application and commercialization of artificial intelligence.
The "German AI Award" is made up of three categories: The "Innovationspreis" (Innovation Award), endowed with 100,000 euros, rewards groundbreaking achievements in the research and development of AI and is aimed at research institutes, foundations and the like. The non-endowed "Anwenderpreis" (User Award) honors companies and entrepreneurs for outstanding achievements in the practical application of AI.
Start-ups with a place of business in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region whose business model is based on an exemplary and innovative use of AI and which are not older than five years at the time of the award ceremony can apply for the "KI-Start-up-Preis" (AI Start-Up Prize). Berlin Partner for Business and Technology supports the prize, which is endowed with EUR 10,000.
"We are delighted that the German AI Prize will be awarded in Berlin again this year. Berlin is Germany's AI stronghold. Almost half of all German AI startups are based in Berlin. And they are rapidly growing in number, because here they have an ideal environment for scientific collaborations and international growth. The recently published Startup Heatmap Survey 2021 revealed that Berlin has overtaken London as Europe's startup capital," says Amira Gutmann-Trieb, Cluster Manager ICT, Media and Creative Industries. "The goal is to continue to strengthen the AI ecosystem and to highlight and promote the outstanding work of female researchers and founders. By offering the special award for startups, we want to give an additional impulse. We look forward to receiving many great applications."
Interested companies can apply for the AI Startup Prize at the following link.
The winners will be honored at an award ceremony in Berlin on September 30, 2021.
Merantix founders Dr Rasmus Rothe and Adrian Locher © Viktor Strasse
Last year, the coveted special prize went to the Berlin-based venture studio Merantix led by Adrian Locher and Dr. Rasmus Rothe.
Founded in 2016, the company builder has already launched 5 AI startups with its multidisciplinary team. Last year, it raised a fund of over €25 million to finance ten more startups. Since May, Merantix has been operating the AI Campus in the heart of Berlin, which offers the AI community optimal conditions for startups and established companies to collaborate on 5,400 square meters.