European startups, both early and later stage, can now apply for the Digital Top 50 Awards. Since 2016, the Digital Top 50 Awards have been rewarding and celebrating Europe’s growing and most promising entrepreneurs and founders and their respective firms. The 2020 Awards are a joint project by McKinsey, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Google; this year, Hering Schuppener Consulting and 468 Capital join the awards and support Europe’s vibrant startup community. Bits & Pretzels is the official community partner.
Startups based in the European Union and EFTA countries having received financing in the amount of up to €100 million can apply. This year’s categories are:
- Best Technology
- Best Consumer Business Model Innovation
- Best Enterprise Business Model Innovation
- Tech for Good
Winners of the prestigious awards will receive structured support, professional guidance and coaching. All applications are reviewed by DT50’s Executive Jury, a panel of experts, veterans in venture capital and growth mentoring. The complete list of jury members can and the application form can be found on the DT50 website. The application phase will end on the 30th of August.
The award’s winners will be announced during the Bits & Pretzels Conference on September 29; the shortlist of the Top 50 firms will be published in mid-September. Winners will receive valuable support, guidance and mentoring from all 2020 partners of the awards. They will benefit from professional advice, structured consulting and coaching programmes, as well as access to a huge network of leading industry decision-makers. The winner of the “Tech for Good” category will receive an additional cash prize of €50,000.
Karel Dörner, Senior Partner McKinsey Digital, one of the founding firms behind DT50, stated: “The pandemic is hitting startup teams particularly hard: sales are collapsing, costs are being reduced, and venture capitalists are more cautious about investments. Now more than ever, society and the economy need digital innovation from creative entrepreneurs. Some of the biggest digital players were founded in times of crisis. And that’s why we are holding on to our Digital Top 50 Awards, even in times of crisis. But we don’t just want to provide financial support, we want to share our knowledge and strengthen the community ─ for a future-proof and competitive European startup ecosystem.”
