“Cooperation projects for digital topics of the future” is the competition theme of this year’s innovation prize, which the ZENIT e.V. network presented as part of the ZENIT anniversary on 11 September. The aim is to find technologically oriented cooperation projects between companies and start-ups (not older than five years) or between companies, start-ups and universities/research institutions on digital topics of the future.
The cooperation projects must have already begun at the time of application, but must not have been completed. The central evaluation criterion is the innovative character of the submitted projects, whether with regard to the joint development of digital technologies, products, processes and/or services or the development of new, digital business models. In addition, the jury also evaluates the degree of agility of the project cooperation between the cooperation partners. A partner must be based in NRW. For the fifth time, the patron is NRW Minister of Economics and Innovation Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart. The prize is endowed with 5,000 euros, the closing date for applications is 15 December.

Thomas Eulenstein, Chairman of the Board of the ZENIT e.V. network, is pleased about the ninth round of the competition: “For almost 20 years, the prize has helped to strengthen North Rhine-Westphalian SMEs in various fields of innovation. Moreover, with this instrument we offer companies and cooperation partners from science a really attractive platform to present themselves as innovative players to a broad public. In addition to the prize money for the winner, all finalists receive professional PR support with lasting publicity and a free one-year membership in the ZENIT e. V. network.

Background network ZENIT registered association:
The 1984 created network ZENIT registered association is a forum of entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. It developed from the commitment of medium-size participants and represents approximately 190 predominantly technology-oriented enterprises. The aim is to accompany them and make them fit for the diverse requirements of the constantly changing markets.

The association is also internationally networked with members from the Netherlands, France and Russia and consistently expands the cross-border networking and thus the sustainability of its members.

Further information is available at www.zenit.de/netzwerk/innovationspreis2019

Contact:
Network ZENIT e.V.
Simone Stangier
Phone: 0208 30004-75
E-mail: sr@zenit.de
Internet: www.zenit.de/netzwerk/
Twitter: @ZENITGmbH