Innovation Prize Münsterland: Craftsmanship with inventive spirit

Seven companies from the region have been awarded the Münsterland Innovation Prize 2025/26 – and the skilled trades are particularly well represented.

Six winners of the Münsterland Innovation Prize 2025/26 are also from the skilled trades. This demonstrates the innovative strength of the region's craft businesses. The award-winning developments also showcase the broad technological spectrum of the skilled trades.

• In the category "Digital Business Models" was the Sommer GmbH & Co. KG from Hörstel Awarded for a digital planning system for oversized and heavy transport. Using AI and highly detailed infrastructure and route data, the solution simplifies route planning and the permitting process.
• In the category "Small and clever" was the Vemaco eK from Gescher Awarded for a rail-free mounting system that allows photovoltaic modules to be mounted directly onto existing double-wire fences without structural modifications. The solution combines easy installation and minimal material usage with a practical contribution to the energy transition.
• In the category "Economy_Large Companies" was the Börger GmbH from Borken-Weseke awarded for their "OrbitGrinder". The innovative grinder for solids in liquids is used, among other things, in wastewater treatment plants and is said to save 25 percent of drive energy.
• In the category "Economy_SMEs" was the Di Matteo Förderanlagen GmbH & Co. KG from Beckum awarded for a patented process that uses gravity to separate contaminants directly in a conveying line from bulk materials.
• In the category "Science meets business" was the CLK GmbH from Altenberge Awarded for "DeepHyperCheck". Together with the Nuremberg Institute of Technology, the company developed a system that can reliably detect colored plastic foreign bodies in food.
• With the special prize "Transformation Award | Sustainability Impact" was the Brüninghoff GmbH & Co. KG from Heiden Awarded for a reusable and recyclable wood-concrete composite ribbed ceiling. After initial use, it can either be reinstalled as a whole or separated by material type and recycled.
• In the category "Start-up" was the agriportance GmbH from Münster The company was awarded for a software solution for mass balancing in the biomethane market. It is the only one of the seven award winners not from the skilled trades sector.

Background : Münsterland Innovation Award The Münsterland e.V. awards the Münsterland Innovation Award every two years in cooperation with the competition's sponsors: the savings banks in Münsterland, Provinzial Versicherung AG, Westenergie AG, and Stadtwerke Münster GmbH. Under the motto "Together. Growth. Strengthening. Münsterland thinks ahead," 19 companies were nominated this year in six categories. 81 companies applied for the special prize. The innovations were recognized at the Schlossplatz in Münster.

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