New award honors hearing aid company founder

Competition: Hearing aid acoustics founders from German-speaking countries can apply for the inaugural Founder Star Award until the end of 2025.

This article is part of the special topic Interesting competitions for craftsmen

"Around the Quality of the hearing aid acoustician's craft To maintain it, it is important that it is done again and again. Founders "There is," says Hassan Faour, owner of the company loud hearing aids in Feldkirchen-Westerham and member of the Founder Star jury. "For the Preservation of craftsmanship The industry needs small, independent hearing aid specialists. That's why I think it's great that there's now also one. Start-up Award There is. All I can say is: Become self-employed and apply for jobs!

Founder Star advertised for the first time

There are many ways to apply for the Founder Star Award, for example, through customer service in your own store. Pictured: Master hearing aid acoustician and entrepreneur Claudia Bock (left) from Hörstudio Erfurt. Photo: © IAS

The Individual Acoustician Service (IAS) initiated Founder Star Award refers to Hearing aid companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the will open their first specialist store on October 1, 2023 have – be wanted new approaches and concepts for the step into the IndependenceThe award aims to promote new business founders, stimulate exchange within the hearing aid startup scene, and present best-practice examples to encourage others to take the step of opening their own specialist shop.

"For us small businesses, the quality of the hearing aid fitting is paramount; things are simply done differently here than at the big chains. Taking the step into self-employment requires..." Courage and good ideas"The award recognizes this in a special way," he explains. Enis Mendili, owner of audiowell hearing acoustics in Bielefeld and another jury member.

Application and award ceremony

Be it a special one Store concept, an original Marketing approach or convincing unique selling point, an unusual one Founder's Story, a surprising Service offering, a great Social media presence or even unique Team spirit – there are many ways to apply for the Founder Star Award. Interested hearing aid acousticians can Apply here by December 31, 2025. In addition to the Winner's trophy The winner is rewarded with a Marketing package worth 3.000 eurosFurther outstanding applications will be recognized with a certificate and a small one PR package honored.

Founder Star Jury 

The independent expert jury consists of

• Hassan Faour, owner of a large hearing aid company and founder,
• Sabine Hönighausen, owner Hearing Acoustics Hönighausen and founder,
• Dennis Kraus, Editor-in-Chief of the trade journal "OMNIdirekt"and founders,
• Enis Mendili, owner of audiowell and founder,
• Thomas Müller, Founder in the hearing acoustics industry and business development coach,
• Marco Peters, "Currywurst King" and startup coach, known from the "Lions' den",
• Martin Schaarschmidt, PR consultant, specialist journalist and founder,
• Marco Schulz, Executive Director pro.meinhoergeraet.de and founders, as well as
• Annica van Hees, owner Hördesign van Hees and founder, together. 

The prize-giving takes place in the year 2026 as part of a Award Winner Workshops instead, where the best applicants will present their Presenting ideas and concepts, discuss and exchange within the industry and be able to network.

"I would strongly recommend participation in the Gründerstar competition to all hearing aid acousticians who have started their own business in the last two years," advises jury member Thomas Müller. "Regardless of whether you win or not – such a competition offers the A chance to take a moment to reflect and consider what you have already achieved and where the journey is headed.One receives Feedback, can exchange ideas with like-minded people, Ideas You'll receive valuable information and perhaps even gain a fantastic additional opportunity to recommend your company to customers. Therefore: Submit your application now! Participate! It's definitely worth it.

All further information can be found on the competition website – simply click here!

Source: Individual Acoustician Service GmbHDHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!