Competition – OOTB.NRW

The first step to success

Fill out the application form by February 28th 2025 to put your startups name in the running.

Apply now!

AND THE
OUT OF THE BOX.NRW
AWARD GOES TO…

Prize

It’s not just about honor: A total of €50,000, sponsored by NRW.BANK, will be awarded to the top three finalists. First place wins €25,000, second place receives €15,000, and third place gets €10,000.

Startup Insider is the leading data-driven platform and premium media brand for startups, entrepreneurs, and investors in the DACH region. With over 300,000 monthly podcast listeners, 25,000+ newsletter subscribers, and 30,000+ LinkedIn followers, Startup Insider provides deep insights into the startup ecosystem, market trends, expert knowledge and exclusive content – including Startup Insider Daily, the morning newsletter that innovators take in with their coffee. In addition to a popular podcast network, the platform offers services such as employer branding, a comprehensive job board, event promotion, and sourcing services. Startup Insider connects innovative founders, VCs, and companies, fostering collaboration and growth within the digital economy – an essential partner for the German-speaking startup community.

The TOP3 OOTB.NRW winners will each receive a media budget of EUR 5,000 sponsored by Startup Insider.

To our Media Partners

But wait – we’re getting ahead of ourselves. To win this competition, you’ll have to pass through a few more levels on the way to the top.

Let’s start with the basics...

But wait – we’re getting ahead of ourselves. To win this competition, you’ll have to pass through a few more levels on the way to the top.

Let’s start with the basics...

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO apply?

Criteria 1

Are you based in North-Rhine Westphalia?

Criteria 2

Your startup was founded between 01.01.2022 and 31.12.2024?

CRITERIA 3

Are you an OUT OF THE BOX thinker, creative problem-solver and startup founder with a knack for turning an idea into a viable digital business model?

Download Criteria

DID YOU SAY “YES!”? TO ALL OF THE ABOVE?

1. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS

All incoming applications are assessed on the basis of the predefined participation criteria

2. PRE-SELECTION ROUND

Leading investors from NRW select the top 25 startups based on recognized evaluation methods.

3. COMMUNITY VOTE

An online vote by investors, startup experts from NRW and the public determines the top 10 startups

4. FINAL DECISION

The top 10 nominated startups compete against each other in a pitch competition at the Hinterland of Things conference

5. AWARD CEREMONY

Together with the conference attendees, a jury of subject experts selects the top 3 startups to receive the prize money of 50,000 euros in total

Apply now!

WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS: HINTERLAND OF THINGS 05.06.2025

This is your stage, your spotlight, your platform: Make the Hinterland of Things work for you by elevating your startup to a brand-new level.

MEETING NEW CUSTOMERS? EASY AS PIE.

As one of the most renowned conferences for B2B tech startups in Germany, the Hinterland of Things makes it easy for you to expand your network and customer base – The Conference has been connecting aspiring founders, early- and late stage startups and scale-ups with decision-makers from legacy companies, small- and medium-sized business owners and global brands on the lookout for new solutions and services since 2018.

MATCHMAKING WITH POTENTIAL INVESTORS? PIECE OF CAKE.

Every year, the Hinterland of Things attracts the attention of hundreds of renowned venture capitalists from Germany, Europe, and around the world, each eager to scout for new talent among our exhibition of carefully curated and pre-vetted startups. Become one of them and meet your investor match befitting to your industry.

EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK? YOU’VE HIT THE SWEET SPOT.

The Hinterland of Things platform offers the perfect opportunity to grow your network by connecting with like-minded, forward-thinking peers from the startup-community. See what the competition has to offer, meet with media representatives, and exchange ideas with more than 800 tech startups, with special focus on new developments in ClimateTech, AI + Productivity, IndustrialTech, and EdTech.