Innovation award: The role of gardening in the “new tomorrow”

“During the time of the coronavirus pandemic, many people discovered their gardens as a place of activity, creativity and relaxation and created their very own dream gardens. At the same time, our environment has changed due to working from home and mobile – here too the garden can definitely play a role – as a place to be, meet and work. We are curious to see how innovative minds see these new realities as an opportunity,” Gardena’s president Pär Åström explains the motivation of the award sponsor.

“The GARDENA garden award is now entering its third round. And every year we are surprised by the innovative ability of the many startups. We are therefore excited to see what ideas relating to the garden will reach us this year,” adds Tobias Schlitzke, Business Development Manager at Gardena.

Until 25 July 2021 (application deadline) we are also this time looking for solutions for the garden of the future. Innovators are invited to submit their ideas and business models for the following subject areas on the application portal: smart gardening, irrigation technology, cutting technology, urban gardening, e-commerce and services in the garden environment, mobile apps in the garden environment, solutions for sustainable gardening, the production of food and for mobile work in the garden.

Partner network and jury expanded

Koelnmesse, the German Trade Association for DIY, Building and Gardening (BHB), the trade magazine diy and the magazine “Schöner Wohnen” are once again participating as partners in the competition. The German Garden Industry Association (IVG) is also represented in the jury of experts.

The partner network will be supplemented this year by Next Shed by Eberspächer from Esslingen, Germany. As an incubator and strategic investor in the Eberspächer Group, Next Shed cooperates with founders and startups in order to jointly lead business models to success.

The serial founder and investor Frank Thelen, who became known to a wide audience from the television format “Die Höhle der Löwen”, Germany’s version of “Dragon’s Den”, complements the jury as a guest. He has a keen sense for successful ideas that have a real chance on the market.

“In the near future, technology will make many areas of our lives more efficient. In the garden, too, new robot and IoT solutions can make our everyday lives easier,” says Frank Thelen.

Procedure and funding

In the first step, three candidates will be selected as finalists with regard to the degree of innovation, which will be announced on 11 August 2021. They can then present themselves and their concepts to the jury. This will take place as part of a digital event that will be broadcast live on 2 September 2021. After consulting the jury, the placements will be announced immediately and the winner will be chosen.

The prize is endowed with a total of 10,000 euros as well as prizes in kind, including a special prize, donated by koelnmesse, for the most sustainable idea. In addition, the German Garden Industry Association (IVG) offers the winners the opportunity to present themselves to the specialist audience as part of the IVG Garden Market Forum. The first-placed winner will also be presented in detail in the trade magazine diy.