185 submissions to the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition
A total of 185 teams submitted business concepts for the second phase of the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW) 2026. Ten teams were nominated for the second award. They presented their concepts on 29 April 2026 at the Siemens Center in Berlin.
The spectrum of concepts submitted ranges from digital platform solutions in the areas of personal development and career coaching to AI-based applications for HR compliance and healthcare through to technologies for sustainable logistics and infrastructure monitoring. Projects from the fields of design, education and social participation as well as new approaches for social networks and product design are also represented.
Ten teams were nominated from all the submissions. The selection was based on the assessment by independent jurors, who scrutinised the business concepts according to the BPW criteria.
The second BPW 2026 award ceremony took place on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, at the A32 in the Siemens Center. The ten nominated teams presented their concepts to the audience in 90-second pitches and have the chance to win the 2,000 euro Audience Award. The main prize of 15,000 euros was determined by a jury of experts in the run-up to the event and announced during the award ceremony.
The three-phase competition is still open until 19 May 2026. The current competition round ends at the end of the third submission deadline. All information on participation and other BPW offers can be found at www.b-p-w.de
The nominated teams of the second competition phase
Happy Mana: Happy Mana is an online platform for personal development and a more conscious life. Under the guiding principle of "One space for every chapter", it guides you through topics such as self-image, relationships, vocation and resilience. Four-week programmes combine psychological content with reflection, coaching tools and philosophical impulses – supported by videos, audios, workbooks and an AI learning companion. The programme is aimed at adults, can be flexibly integrated into everyday life and is deliberately designed to be low-threshold and affordable.
Insightl: Insightl is an AI-supported end-to-end platform for career coaching. It analyses labour market data and user profiles, identifies suitable target roles, highlights skills gaps and prioritises development steps. Based on this, it creates personalised learning content and supports the entire application process. Insightl thus addresses a lack of market transparency and inefficient searches for further training. The result: less planning effort, usable proof of competence – and at a fraction of the cost of traditional coaching services.
Institute for Diversity Competence (IDC): With DiversiCheck, the IDC is developing an AI-based testing service for non-discrimination and legal compliance of AI systems – initially with a focus on the HR sector. The background: From 2026, the EU AI Act will place new requirements on companies that use AI-supported processes. DiversiCheck analyses bias risks, checks legal requirements and supports fair, transparent decision-making processes. The approach combines technical analysis, legal assessment and social science research. Companies receive reliable proof of compliance, while authorities can also use the service for their own review procedures.
kreisel: kreisel is a European social media app that puts real relationships at the centre. Posts disappear after seven days and users decide for themselves who sees their content. A separate magazine section offers paid channels for creators and companies – clearly separated from the private feed. There is no advertising or data sales. Privacy by design, GDPR-compliant and EU hosting.
Movolta: Movolta equips refrigerated lorries with ultra-flat solar modules on the roof, drill-free, fully mounted on the roof and connected directly to the cooling unit or on-board power supply. An optional battery enables quiet operation without a diesel engine. Installation is carried out quickly and easily by mobile teams. For companies, this means less diesel, less CO2 and less noise. An online portal documents the savings and supports ESG reporting. Flexible business models mean that the investment usually pays for itself in less than four years.
Papierodie: Papierodie transforms paper into art – for rooms, events and special occasions. The focus is on creative reuse: Waste paper, old books or printed matter are turned into customised commissioned works, decorations and room installations – for companies and private individuals alike. Papierodie also offers workshops for adults. The combination of design, craftsmanship and upcycling creates new uses and places paper in an artistic context.
Peripath: Peripath is an AI-based app for women in perimenopause – a phase that often lasts several years and is associated with a variety of symptoms and has so far received too little attention both in terms of care and public perception. The app combines scientifically sound data with personalised coaching, answers questions around the clock and offers individual support. The free basic version is supplemented by premium functions: personalised recommendations on nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress - including the integration of wearables.
Spree Monitoring: Spree Monitoring monitors bridges and structures – continuously and precisely. The background: many bridges in Germany are in poor condition and the need for reliable data for maintenance strategies is growing. Spree Monitoring uses a sensor-based ultrasound method (CWI) that recognises changes in the concrete at an early stage – before minor damage turns into major damage. The result: greater safety, longer service life, fewer unplanned closures and more efficient renovation planning.
weaveme: weaveme promotes real offline encounters and social participation. The platform bundles activities that are otherwise difficult to find, lowers barriers to entry and creates safe spaces for new contacts. Cities, companies and organisations can use Weaveme in a targeted way to strengthen community and integration. Verified partner locations provide trust and structure. The goal: less social isolation, more sustainable community building.
Wuule: Wuule develops modular play furniture for children that combines creative play with modern interior design. The first product is a playhouse system made from lightweight panels made from recycled PET felt – soft, durable and safe for indoor use. Children can use it to build their own walk-in play worlds and change them again and again. Wuule combines creative building, analogue play and aesthetic living.
About the BPW
The Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW) is Germany's largest regional start-up initiative. It is a cross-state initiative organised jointly by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) and Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB). The BPW is organised by the universities in Berlin and Brandenburg. This gives the Business Plan Competition the advantage of being able to draw on an enormous network of experts and partnerships in the fields of business creation and development. The Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition is jointly supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and the Brandenburg Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Climate Protection and Europe and co-financed by the European Union.
