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To mark International Women's Day on March 8th, the Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for the eastern part of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is launching its fourth annual "Start up and fly" competition for female entrepreneurs in eastern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The aim of the "Start up and fly" competition is to raise awareness of the stories of successful female entrepreneurs from the region and to encourage other women to take the plunge into self-employment.
The competition puts the spotlight on female entrepreneurs belonging to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) from the districts of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte and Vorpommern-Greifswald.
Their stories about successfully founding a company – including as a successor – are intended to encourage other women in the region to become self-employed. Because still, more men than women are self-employed.
Who can participate in the "Start up and fly" competition?
Female entrepreneurs belonging to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in the Neubrandenburg region for eastern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are eligible to participate. Eligibility requirements: They must have founded a new business or taken over an existing one between January 1, 2021, and March 8, 2025. The date of business registration is considered the founding date.
Important: The entrepreneur must be working full-time from March 8, 2025, onwards. The applicant must hold at least 50 percent of the company shares and be active as a (co-)managing director.
Female entrepreneurs can also be nominated for the competition by third parties.
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) cordially invites all women who have founded a company with courage, commitment, and passion in the past five years to participate in the Women Entrepreneurs' Competition!
Join us and show what female founders are achieving in our region!
The winner will be invited to and honored at the Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce's annual business reception on November 17, 2026. The prize includes € 3,000 and a certificate. All participants will receive publicity through the Chamber's own media channels.
The women entrepreneurs' competition is being held for the fourth time by the Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for eastern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In 2024, Bettina Rehmann won with Grips Boulderhalle GbR from Greifswald. Grit Dohrmann from the Neubrandenburg-based company Mecklenburger Alltagsfeen and Susanne Fuchs with the clothing stores MÄNNERsache & FRAUENsache from Bansin were also recognized.
More information
You can apply using this application form .
The application deadline is June 30, 2026.
Further information about the "Start up and fly" competition for female founders can be found on this page of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) .
