Infraserv Höchst and F.A.Z.-Institut have jointly created a competition geared towards growing companies – the STEP Award. The contest is open to small and medium-sized enterprises in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, life sciences, bio /nanotechnology and materials management. The award-winner will receive a cash prize of EUR 50,000 and a comprehensive service package worth the same amount. “I am convinced that we can reach many growth companies with this award, while the funding and support will help the prize-winner position itself in the market,” said Infraserv Managing Director Roland Mohr during the competition presentation.
Support during the transition from research to production
The competition is open to production- and process-oriented companies, or to firms engaged in research and development who are about to begin manufacturing a new product. Management-buy-out groups are also invited to apply. However, the companies must have been in existence and actively marketing their product for one year; annual sales must not exceed EUR 40 million; and the companies must have fewer than 250 employees. “These criteria also apply to many medium-sized enterprises,” said Roland Mohr, making it clear that it is not a competition for start-ups. “The entrants should already be positioned in the market. However, the transition from research to production, or the phase in which companies grow with a successful product, harbor special risks and demands.” The STEP Award prize-winner will be given a comprehensive service package that includes all the important services for this phase: from patent search, comprehensive corporate-strategy consulting, finance, logistics and document management, and legal and communications seminars right up to access to technical workshops. The package also connects the prize-winner to business networks. Since growing companies often require fast access to space and infrastructure to succeed, the prize-winner will have the option of using laboratory and office facilities rent-free for two years.
Main sponsors: Commerzbank, Mainova and Siemens
Commerzbank, Mainova and Siemens are the main sponsors of the STEP Award. There is also a long list of other companies and institutions taking part as sponsors and network partners: Arthur D. Little; Hessen Agentur; Wirtschaftsförderung Frankfurt; Infraserv Logistics; Rheinhold & Mahla; Mayer, Brown, Row & Maw LLP; INI-Novation GmbH; MSU Consulting; neeb & partner; Patentanwaltskanzlei Dr. Ackermann; SVPG GmbH; and Rooijen & Partners Ltd.. “All the entrants – not just the winner of the EUR 100,000 – will benefit from this partner network,” said Markus Garn of F.A.Z.-Institut.
The competitors have to present their business model, expansion mission and market situation. The application should also include a description of the patent situation and the implementation plan. The nominated competitors will be given an opportunity to present their companies in a personal interview. Finally, the prize-winner will be picked by a special jury consisting of independent experts from industry and academia.
Entries will be accepted until September 1, 2006. The award will be presented in December 2006.
For more information and applications, please contact:
F.A.Z.-Institut GmbH
Thorsten Würschinger
Mainzer Landstraße 199
60326 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Phone: +49 69 - 75 91 21 94
Fax: +49 69 - 75 91 23 01
E-mail:
t.wuerschinger@faz-institut.de
www.step-award.de
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