Building
Bridges for a
SustAInable
Future.
sponsored by
Founder Challenge 2026 for a sustAInable Future –
initiated by encourageventures e.V. & supported by Mercedes-Benz Fonds
Driving more innovation and impact in Europe’s
startup and investment ecosystem
The Founder Challenge 2026 for a sustAInable future, is initiated and organized by encourageventures e.V. The Mercedes-Benz Fonds supports the Challenge as a donor and strategic supporter. The Challenge empowers the next generation of diverse founder teams at the intersection of AI, impact and sustainable innovation.
The Challenge brings together diverse-founded European startups and innovators with a strong community of angel investors, industry leaders and experts.
Together, encourageventures e.V. and the Mercedes-Benz Foundation unlock the full potential of diverse founder teams who combine AI-driven, tech-for-good, and impact-oriented solutions with
- technological excellence,
- sustainable and ecological innovation, and
- a deep commitment to societal progress.
The program supports entrepreneurs with bold ideas – from early-stage concepts to ready-to-scale ventures – and enables them to transform their solutions into viable, future-ready businesses.
Our joint mission: to strengthen diverse leadership in technology, expand access to early-stage capital, and accelerate business models that deliver measurable value for society, the environment and the economy.
What the Challenge offers
The Founder Challenge 2026 highlights and supports outstanding teams led by at least one woman in the executive leadership team. Finalists gain visibility, access and the opportunity to present their solutions to:
- angel investors from the encourageventures e.V. network,
- executives from Mercedes-Benz and the Mercedes-Benz Foundation,
- experts from AI, impact, sustainability, and science.
From all submissions, an expert jury will select 9 finalists on 30. September 2026, across the categories Idea, StartUp and ScaleUp.
Pitch Night & Award Announcement
At the Pitch Event on 11. November 2026, the finalists present their innovations to a high-level audience. The jury will then announce the three Award winners, one per category.
The Award – Categories & Prizes
At the heart of the Challenge stands the Award, honoring diverse founders who demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial excellence across three maturity levels — reflecting how founders bring AI x Impact innovation from idea to execution to scaling.
The jury will select nine finalists (three per category) and identify one winner in each category at the Pitch Event on 11. November 2026.
The timeline
| 1. März 2026 | Challenge opens for submissions |
| 31. August 2026 | Application deadline |
| 30. September 2026 |
9 Finalists announced – 3 per category: Idea – from vision to concept, Start-Up – from prototype to proof of concept Scale-Up – from execution to expansion. |
| 11. November 2026 | Pitch Night – Founder Challenge 2026 initiated by encourageventures e.V. & supported by Mercedes-Benz Foundation – the 3 Award winners are announced |
The prizes
What support will the Finalists receive?
All nine finalists receive access to a mentoring and training program designed to prepare them for the Pitch Night. This includes input in areas such as:
- leadership & team building
- sales excellence
- impact measurement
- fundraising preparation
- pitch, storytelling & Q&A excellence
The program equips each finalist with the skills, clarity and confidence needed for successful investor conversations and the final stage appearance.
What the winners receive
Each of the category winners of the Award will receive:
- tailored mentoring from encourageventures e.V. and industry experts
- high-level visibility and the opportunity to pitch directly to leading angel investors, corporate decision-makers, and the broader innovation community – including the chance for finalists to present their business to top-tier business angels with the option of investment
- access to partner networks, potential pilot collaborations, and long-term support from encourageventures e.V.
- a prominent stage at the Founder Challenge 2026 Pitch Event to present their impact-driven innovation
meet the finalists!
We are currently carefully screening all applications. The nine finalists will be announced here and on LinkedIn on September 30!
The Judges
The Founder Challenge 2026 jury brings together important voices from the European tech and investment landscape. The jury will include:
- Dr. Annette Matzat | Mercedes-Benz Group, Vice President People Policies & Services
- Daniel Eitler | Mercedes-Benz Group, Chief Cyber Security, Data & AI Officer
- Vivien Slatosch | Mercedes-Benz Group, Head of CSR
- Alexandra Strassburger | Mercedes-Benz Group, Head of IT Sales & Customer Experience
- Prof. Dr. Heike Hölzner | HTW Berlin, Professor of Entrepreneurial Mindset & Education
- Prof. Dr. Alexander Brem | Professor and Vice Rector at the University of Stuttgart
- Isabel Knauf | Knauf Group, Shareholder
- Selina Stihl | Stihl Holding, Advisory & Supervisory Board
- Ina Schlie | encourageventures e.V., Co-Founder, Advisory Board Member & Business Angel
The Three Award Categories
The jury will select nine finalists (three per category) and identify one winner in each category at the Pitch Event
on 11. November 2026, in Stuttgart
Idea
Idea – From Vision to Concept
This award recognizes early-stage teams who identify a meaningful social or environmental challenge and propose a bold, AI-driven concept with clear potential for future market relevance. It celebrates original thinking, clarity of purpose, and the ambition to turn a vision into a viable impact-driven solution.
Startup
From Prototype to Proof of Concept
This prize honors early-stage ventures that have moved beyond ideation. Startups in this category demonstrate:
- validated problem–solution fit,
- early technological or business model traction, and
- measurable environmental, social or economic value.
- They show how AI can drive sustainable transformation at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
Scale Up
From Execution to Expansion
This award highlights growth-stage companies with proven market performance, strong execution capability, and impact-driven scalability. These ventures demonstrate how AI-based innovation can scale responsibly, aligning with the UN SDGs and delivering lasting societal benefit.
About Mercedes-benz fonds
The Mercedes-Benz Foundation was established to provide long-term, targeted support for initiatives that foster innovation, research, education, and social progress. By supporting forward-looking projects and entrepreneurial talent, the Mercedes-Benz Fonds strengthens the European innovation landscape and advances initiatives that connect technological excellence with sustainable, measurable impact.
Learn more at: mercedes-benz-fonds.com
About encourageventures
encourageventures is a large network of diverse-led startups and female investors. We offer diversity, expertise and capital. As investors, mentors and advisors, we support female-led start-ups in their founding and expansion plans. Our mission is to empower women to build and scale their own companies by providing the guidance, community, and resources they need to grow.
Through our network, we work to increase the visibility of women in the start-up ecosystem and to bring greater diversity and representation to both the founder and investor landscape. We support, inspire, connect — and take the next step together.
Learn more at: encourage-ventures.com/en/