Franziska Giffey Honors Berlin's Innovators at Deep Tech Award Ceremony
Celebrating Breakthroughs in AI, Robotics, and Sustainable Technologies
July 18th, 2024
On July 11, 2024, Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises, presided over the ninth annual Deep Tech Award ceremony in Berlin, where the city’s most innovative startups and companies in the Deep Tech sector were honored. The awards, which recognize groundbreaking advancements in technology, came with a prize of 10,000 euros each and were presented in various categories including Artificial Intelligence, Sustainable & Social Impact, Web3.0, Photonics and Quantum Technologies, and Robotics.
In her opening address to the 200 attendees, Giffey emphasized Berlin’s growing reputation as a hub for technological innovation. She highlighted the significant role of the Deep Tech sector in driving the city’s economic and scientific progress, stating, "We are working to make Berlin the number one innovation location in Europe. The Deep Tech industry is a key player in this endeavor, transforming research insights into innovative products and applications."
This year’s Deep Tech Stars were selected from nearly 100 applicants, with a jury evaluating the finalists based on the innovation and market potential of their technological solutions. The winners represented a diverse array of cutting-edge technologies:
- Artificial Intelligence: Cambrium GmbH, recognized for their protein-design technology that creates sustainable materials such as NovaColl™, a vegan collagen.
- Photonics and Quantum Technologies: DiaMonTech AG, awarded for their non-invasive blood sugar measurement device using mid-infrared laser technology.
- Robotics: EvoLogics GmbH, celebrated for their Quadroin autonomous underwater vehicle, which is used in applications ranging from wreck detection to seabed surveying.
- Sustainable & Social Impact: SAFIA Technologies GmbH, honored for their particle-based rapid test methods for detecting food contaminants, particularly mycotoxins.
- Web3.0 – DLT, Blockchain, NFT & Metaverse: Staex GmbH, acknowledged for their services enhancing IoT device security and network performance.
Giffey praised the winners for their contributions, stating, "The awarded companies showcase the diverse applications of their developed innovations and strengthen our resolve to further position Berlin as a Deep Tech hotspot. The establishment of the Deep Tech Hub at MotionLab.Berlin in May and the upcoming launch of the Deep Tech Mentoring Program are further steps on this path."
The Deep Tech Award, sponsored by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises since 2015, underscores the sector’s importance to Berlin’s innovation and economic landscape. Giffey’s commitment to fostering technological advancement is evident in her continued support for initiatives that spotlight and nurture Berlin’s burgeoning Deep Tech scene.
The application phase for the Deep Tech Award 2025 will commence in February next year, inviting Berlin-based companies with innovative products to compete. Further details about the award, including information on finalists and winners, can be found on the official Deep Tech website.
Through her leadership and dedication, Franziska Giffey is driving Berlin towards becoming a leading center for technological innovation, celebrating and supporting the achievements of the city’s brightest minds in Deep Tech.
