From over 183 submissions in four categories as well as special and individual prizes, the jury awarded a total of four outstanding projects – supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the STIFT, TÜV Thüringen and the Ernst Abbe Foundation.
2025 Award Winners:
- Light & Life: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH received the award for the "Lightfield 4D", a state-of-the-art light field laser scanning microscope that enables 3D imaging of living structures in real time.
- Tradition & Future: WERT GmbH from Fambach with the Multifix shredder "Phantom", which efficiently crushes various materials using a quick-change shaft system.
- Industry & Materials: Vacom Vacuum Components & Measurement Technology GmbH with the miniaturized vacuum sensor “Cassini”, which combines three physical measurement principles in a thumbnail format and measures accurately for over nine decades.
- Digital & Media: Spleenlab GmbH impressed with its AI-supported software platform “Visionary”, which supports autonomous systems in agriculture or other industries with precise environmental perception.
In addition, the Ernst Abbe Prize for innovative entrepreneurship was awarded to Martin H. Kühn, CEO of NT Neue Technologie AG, Erfurt.
With a total prize money of around €100,000, the Thuringian Innovation Prize underscores its role as one of the most prestigious awards in Germany. Minister Colette Boos-John and Head of the State Chancellery Stefan Gruhner praised Thuringia's inventive spirit and future viability, emphasizing how essential such innovative achievements are for the economic and technological development of the Free State.
