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Pioneer in reusable logistics: BMWK honours Logistikbude as ‘Digital Start-up of the Year’

• Prestigious award from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
• Logistikbude takes 3rd place and wins audience award
• Innovative solution with great growth potential wins over jury

Dortmund / Berlin, 8 October 2024: Logistikbude GmbH was named ‘Digital Start-up of the Year 2024’ by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) yesterday evening as part of the ‘Days of Digital Technologies’ at the bcc Berlin Congress Center, taking 3rd place. The young company has thus secured prize money totalling 10,000 euros. The independent jury's decision was based in particular on Logistikbude's high practical relevance, ecological potential and growth prospects. Logistikbude also won over the public with its video entry in the online vote, winning an additional 10,000 euros.

‘The award for Digital Start-up of the Year is recognition of our innovative strength and confirms that Logistikbude has struck a chord with manufacturing companies, in logistics and in retail,’ says Dr Philipp Hüning, CEO and co-founder of Logistikbude. ‘The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection is thus providing an important impetus for the entire start-up scene in Germany and is encouraging not only us, but hopefully others too, to pursue their vision and actively help shape our economy.’

Efficient and resource-saving

Every year, between five and ten billion load carriers such as Euro pallets or racks worth around 250 billion euros are in circulation worldwide. The problem is that the condition and whereabouts of these objects cannot be precisely monitored using analogue systems. With Logistikbude's solution, the management of such reusable objects can be digitalised and automated. The technology behind it was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML and enables, among other things, the tracking of reusable containers in real time. This not only enables companies to increase their efficiency while reducing material and labour costs; the solution from Logistikbude also helps them to reduce their ecological footprint through improved container management.

Successful award winner with great growth opportunities

The young company, which has already received support from the High-Tech Gründerfonds, has already won over well-known customers such as DB Schenker, Dachser and Sennder with its software solution and currently manages several million reusable items at over 100 locations. At the award ceremony, Logistikbude was able to assert itself in particular due to its great relevance for reusable logistics, its positive ecological effects and its promising growth opportunities. Logistikbude also prepares its partners for legislation that will become relevant in the future, such as the planned EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). As part of the PPWR, a reusable packaging obligation in B2B transport and a labelling obligation for the containers used are to be enforced.

About the ‘Digital Start-up of the Year’ award

The award is presented annually and is aimed at young digital companies that have already taken part in a BMWK start-up initiative, successfully realised a digital start-up idea and achieved significant sales with it. A total of seven companies were shortlisted for the award. The award winners were selected by an independent jury consisting of experts from business and science. They assessed the start-ups in terms of their growth prospects, their entrepreneurial performance to date and their management potential for further successful company development.

Photographer: BMWK/Wolfgang Borrs