Founders from the Oderland-Spree region met in the Senate Hall of the European University Viadrina on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 for a festive event.
The working group of the Oderland-Spree start-up partners, which presented two start-up awards on the evening, had invited guests to the event. Thirty-three applications were submitted in response to the competition organized by the working group back in the summer. In view of this great response, the network decided to award an encouragement prize for the first time in addition to the "Business Founder Award 2023". This award recognizes and honours a sideline start-up. It is intended to encourage the successful further development of the company in order to be able to switch to full-time employment in the future.
Master roofer Christian Kalies' company Oderbruchdach from Wriezen was awarded the 2023 Business Founder Award. The company's successful development to date was recognized by the District Administrator of the Märkisch-Oderland district, Gernot Schmidt, as the laudatory speaker. The 2023 Courage Award was presented to Ms. Antje Glanert and her company Pfaffendorfkonsum from Rietz-Neuendorf. With her business, she has not only improved the range of supplies in Pfaffendorf, but also created a place where people can meet, as the District Administrator of the Oder-Spree district, Frank Steffen, emphasized in his laudatory speech.
A jury decided on the winners. It consisted of the 15 members of the Oderland-Spree start-up partner working group.
The evening, which was opened by the Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt (Oder) René Wilke with a welcoming address, showed an impressive diversity of start-up activity in the Oderland-Spree region. Guests had numerous opportunities to engage in lively discussions about this and many other topics before and after the award ceremony and during the break.
The Oderland-Spree start-up partners working group wishes the award winners and all applicants every success in the further development of their companies.