• Startups can apply in the Smart City and GovTech categories until 8 October
• Pitch of the finalists on 8 November at the Smart Country Convention in Berlin

An AI chatbot that quickly answers citizens’ queries, an artificial intelligence that checks applications in advance in the administration to ensure fast processing, or a blockchain solution to seamlessly document the origin and disposal of waste – digital technologies have the potential to sustainably change and improve our daily lives and our cities. This applies not only to metropolises or large cities, but also to small communities. Startups that pursue such innovative approaches can apply with their ideas and solutions from today for the Smart Country Startup Award in the Smart City and GovTech categories. The award will be presented on 8 November as part of the Smart Country Convention (SCCON) organised by the digital association Bitkom and Messe Berlin. “Startups offer huge potential for cities and municipalities because they have innovative ideas and rely on the latest digital technologies. What they often lack, however, is access to the public sector. The Smart Country Startup Award therefore brings startups and administrations together at the Smart Country Convention,” says Daniel Breitinger, Head of Startups at Bitkom.

The Smart City category is open to startups that develop digital innovations that directly improve people’s lives, for example in the areas of mobility, environment, health, supply and disposal or education. In the GovTech category, start-ups are sought that use innovative technologies to make administrative processes more efficient and at the same time more intelligent. The Smart Country Startup Award is organised by Get Started, the startup initiative of Bitkom. This year’s cooperation partners are EPAM (Smart City) and GovTecHH – the Public Venture Client Unit of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (GovTech).

Early stage startups can submit their ideas, prototypes and products until 8 October. The finalists will then have the opportunity to pitch in front of the SCCON audience and a jury of experts. The winners can expect 5,000 euros in prize money each as well as free membership in Get Started, the Bitkom start-up initiative. All further information on the competition and the application form at: www.bitkom.org/Themen/Startups/Bewerbungsformular-Smart-Country-Startup-Award-2023.