BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Eurobike will offer young businesses a ‘big stage’ with the Start-Up Award, where young bike industry businesses and university projects will have the opportunity to see their ideas and designs evaluated by a panel of judges.
Companies less than three years old by the deadline, the date of the judges’ panel meeting from 6th to 7th August 2019, or student projects from research institutes and universities can apply.
Entry for the award is from 2nd April to 10th July, and once registration has closed a 12-member expert panel will select the finalists from all the entries during a two-stage process. The overall winners are then chosen at the final judges’ panel meeting.
Project coordinator Julian Pfeiffer said: “Different to last year, the Eurobike Start-Up Awards winners are going to be decided on during the final judges’ panel session. Due to the new date for the Start-Up Award, now on the first day of the show instead of the day before the show opens, the finalists will be able to present their ideas and designs to an even bigger audience.”
Following a keynote address and podium discussion about innovation and start-up culture on the bike market on 4th September 2019, the 20 Start-Up Award category finalists will present their businesses and innovations in a start-up pitch. The prize-giving ceremony will take place the same evening.
All award winners will be on display to visitors during the entire show in a special exhibition, and following the award ceremony, Eurobike is also hosting the Start-Up Lounge Bodensee for an evening of exchanging information and networking.
The Start-Up Award winners will also be supported by Messe Friedrichshafen all-year round, with media services in diverse channels, and will also benefit from a free exhibition area at the VELOBerlin show in spring 2020.
Dirk Heidrich, Eurobike show director, said: “The importance of young companies for the future of an industry is something that cannot be emphasised highly enough. Drive and inspiration for the market often come not from established players, but from young start-ups with their unconventional, fresh thinking.
“Yet, entry onto the bike market is far from straightforward for young businesses. Against the backdrop of a booming industry, established companies often pay start-ups little attention. This is another reason why we are especially delighted that the Eurobike Award, now in its 15th edition, is once again providing an important platform for young entrepreneurial businesses on the market and continuing to bring their innovative products to the attention of the industry and its consumers.”
This year’s Eurobike takes place from 4th to 7th September 2019 on the Messe Friedrichshafen show grounds. The first three Eurobike days are devoted exclusively to industry professionals, trade visitors and the press, while the last day of the show is open to all bike enthusiasts.
