Building on the ideas of Hans Küng, we at the Global Ethic Institute at the University of Tübingen, together with partners from business, academia, and civil society, are announcing an award for startups and early-stage companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility through economically viable ideas.
The award will be presented as part of the Global Ethos Pitch Day and is aimed at young entrepreneurs who have developed a business plan, are already active in the market, and have established a formal business structure (confirmed, for example, by an entry in the commercial register). The company must have been founded no earlier than 2021 and no later than 2024. All sectors of the economy are eligible.
The next Weltethos Pitch Day will take place on December 1, 2026 at the Global Ethic Institute.
Make use of this platform for ethical startups and submit your application by September 30, 2026.
We invite up to six finalists to present their projects and project ideas. As part of this event, we will award a first prize, two additional prizes, and an audience choice award. Special recognition awards may also be given.
The finalists will present their startups on-site to the jury and a group of potential investors. The prize is worth a total of 10,000 euros. The jury will decide how the prize money is distributed.
The winners will be selected by an independent panel of experts. The prize money may only be used for the company’s business activities (in-kind contributions, investments, etc.).
The selection criteria for the prize are:
Contribution to the common good (demonstrable positive ethical, social, and/or sustainable impact of the enterprise)Solid economic foundationPotential for further successful business development
The winners will be selected from among the finalists present. The decision is final and not subject to legal recourse.
Achim Mey—founder and managing director of Mey Generalbau GmbH—has agreed to serve as patron of the Global Ethos Pitch Day 2026. As a Global Ethos Ambassador, he advocates for responsible and ethical corporate governance and won the Grand Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in 2025.
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