IMPACT CHALLENGE
TOPIC
Impact, Social & Sustainability
SUITABLE FOR
Seed & Series A Startups
LOCATION
Frankfurt
PROGRAM DATES
2 October - 27 November
LANGUAGE
English
APPLICATION DEADLINE
CLOSED
Program Partners
Turn innovative ideas into real-world impact.
Part of the
IMPACT FESTIVAL
See the startups on stage during the IMPACT FESTIVAL on 26 - 27 November.
2025 Participants
2025 Challenges
Rentenbank Challenge
Financing Biodiversity for Resilient Future
Traditional financial instruments often overlook biodiversity as a measurable or investable asset. Rentenbank is exploring new financing models that reward biodiversity-positive practices.
In this challenge, Rentenbank seeks bold approaches that leverage the tools of finance to make biodiversity conservation a core pillar of rural development.
Wirtschaftsförderung
Frankfurt Challenge 1
Smart Data & Support Solutions for Businesses
Focus Area 1: Customer Support Automation: How can Wirtschaftsförderung Frankfurt design automated systems that provide fast, accurate support while maintaining a high level of personal service for complex inquiries?
This could include AI-powered chatbots, intelligent routing systems, or dynamic self-service platforms.
Wirtschaftsförderung
Frankfurt Challenge 2
Smart Data & Support Solutions for Businesses
Focus Area 2: Real-Time Location Data: How can Frankfurt source, process, and leverage real-time location data to better indicate and measure the economic impact of specific locations?
This may involve combining public databases, private data sources, satellite imagery, and/or crowdsourced information into dynamic, actionable tools.
Heleba Digital
Challenge
Unlocking Legacy Data for a Modern Banking Future
Focus Area: Legacy System Integration: The focus is on developing scalable methods to extract and integrate data from legacy banking systems that lack APIs, making it usable in a modern data architecture. This includes designing workflows, middleware, or other integration approaches that minimize risk and maximize efficiency.
Key Dates
EXTENDED
In-person event in Frankfurt
Startups will be notified
Virtual - Which three startups will go forward?
Join virtually
Come to Frankfurt Messe for the final
competitions
Startup Benefits
What you get…
Fifteen startups will be matched with purpose-driven corporates actively seeking sustainable solutions and ready to collaborate. Plus…
Maximize your impact, fast – gain high-value exposure and connections in a short time.
Step into the German market through Frankfurt – a strategic gateway in the heart of Europe.
Full access to IMPACT FESTIVAL – 2 days of masterclasses, thought leadership, and powerful networking.
Be spotlighted in curated communication and promotional materials to boost your reach.
Receive €1,000 in support to help cover your time and participation costs.
Connect with a diverse network of corporates, investors, and fellow impact founders who share your mission.
Pilot your solution with real-world partners and gather direct, actionable feedback.
Challenge Topics
Requirements
Someone from your startup must be physically present in Frankfurt for the Collaboration Day on 8 October and the IMPACT FESTIVAL 26-27 November.
Please make sure that your startup meets the following requirements:
Seed & Series A Startups
Validated MVP
First Customers
Program Recap
Collaborating Today for Tomorrow’s Green Solutions
The Impact Challenge brought together three leading corporates, 15 startups, and one shared mission: driving a sustainable future. Kicking off with an interactive collaboration day, startups and corporates — Helaba, Deutsche Börse, and SIGNAL IDUNA Gruppe —engaged in networking and speed-dating to explore solutions for green innovation.
Success Story
Circonomit
We joined TechQuartier through the Impact Challenge in 2024. What truly set it apart was the opportunity to work on a real pilot project with an industry partner – Signal Iduna.
Startup batch
Supporting Impact
One of our goals for the Challenge is to support the UN's SDGs.
