KfW Capital Seeks Investors for Award Categories

KfW Capital announced the opening of applications for its fifth annual KfW Capital Award on April 1, 2026. The awards will honor individuals in the categories of "Best Female VC Investor" and "VC Game Changer" until July 1, 2026. These categories recognize women successfully investing in German startups and tech companies, and individuals who significantly advance the venture capital ecosystem through their work and initiatives.

This year marks the introduction of the "VC Exit Excellence" award, focusing on successful exits from KfW Capital's portfolio. This special prize will not require an application; KfW Capital will directly nominate the recipient. Each award category carries a prize of EUR 5,000.

The winners will be honored at a gala event in Berlin on November 4, 2026. The awards complement the KfW Award Gründen, which focuses on founders, by highlighting the investor perspective. This year's emphasis on "exits" addresses a recognized need for improvement in this area within Germany and Europe, according to KfW Capital.

A jury comprising KfW Capital representatives and six external venture capital experts will select the winners. Application forms and nomination details are available online. KfW Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KfW Group, invests in European VC funds to enhance access to growth capital for innovative German technology companies.