The award for
Germany's most
innovative SMEs
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This is the TOP 100
Together with mentor Christian Wulff, the TOP 100 honours the most innovative of Germany’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
TOP 100 is the only independent award for innovation management in Germany. It is not easy to get into the TOP 100, but if you are successful, the reputation is all the higher.
TOP 100 has been established for 30 years. It is:
the only competition for innovation management
the most important award for innovative SMEs
a Club of Excellence made up of Germany's innovation elite
What TOP 100 stands for
A unique, reputation-enhancing accolade
Independent, respected and well-known: More than any other award, the TOP 100 seal of approval has embodied the innovative strength of small and medium-sized enterprises for more than 30 years. The scientific analysis attests to the companies' future viability, enabling these top innovators to show their customers and suppliers as well as banks, the media and potential job applicants that they are a reliable partner.
The TOP 100 winners use this seal of approval to position themselves as leading innovators in their sector, as important companies in their region and as attractive employers in the job market. So the small amount of effort involved in taking part pays off in many respects.
Gaining an edge with a statement of innovation
Many of the TOP 100 companies are leaders in their sectors or are on the way to becoming so. An individual statement of innovation enables them to increase their competitive advantage: Prof. Dr. Katharina Hölzle, Executive Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO and Head of the Institute for Ergonomics and Technology Management IAT at the University of Stuttgart, evaluates each company's strengths and weaknesses relative to those of other participants. The top innovators also receive recommendations on how to improve their business.
The TOP 100 companies can use this analysis to further optimise their innovation processes, push ahead with innovations marketing and establish a markedly better climate of innovation. By participating in subsequent years, the companies can measure their progress.
Networking in the Club of Excellence
Whether climbers, athletes or entrepreneurs, those who achieve the extraordinary on a daily basis enjoy meeting and talking with like-minded people. The TOP 100 offers a very special forum for this: the Club of Excellence.
The top innovators enjoy privileged access to this unique network, which organises a variety of events at which members can meet in an unusual setting. These experiences are available exclusively to the TOP 100 participants and are an opportunity for inspirational conversations on a personal level.
Christian Wulff: The mentor of the TOP 100
In the 33-year history of TOP 100, former German President Christian Wulff became the fourth mentor of the innovation competition, taking over with the 2026 round. At the award ceremony “Deutscher Mittelstands-Summit,” the TOP 100 companies from the 2025 round received their trophies from long-time mentor Ranga Yogeshwar, who, after 14 years in the role, passed the baton to Christian Wulff.
Independent. Reliable. Scientific.
The scientific evaluation of TOP 100 is now in the hands of Prof. Dr Katharina Hölzle and her team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering and Organisation IAO. They are continuing to provide scientific support for the innovation competition, building on the long-standing work of Prof. Dr Nikolaus Franke.
How TOP 100 works
Eligibility
1
Small and medium-sized German companies are eligible to take part. They are divided into three size categories at the outset:
- up to 50 employees
- 51 to 200 employees
- more than 200 employees
Registration
2
Participants will receive a link to their online questionnaire for the innovation analysis immediately after registering. They will then have two weeks to answer the questions.
Assessment
3
On the basis of the innovation analysis and supplementary phone calls, where applicable, the project coordinators will assess the innovative prowess of the companies in the following five categories:
- Innovation-friendly Senior Management
- Climate of Innovation
- Innovative Processes/Organisation
- Outward looking/Open Innovation
- Successful Innovations
To be successful in the TOP 100 competition, you will need well thought-out innovation management that is a good fit for your company and demonstrates that you are equipped for the future.
Panel of judges
4
The best three companies in each size category are also presented to the TOP 100 judges, who then select the ‚Innovator of the Year‘ in each category.
Awards ceremony
5
All of the TOP 100 companies and the three ‚Innovators of the Year‘ receive a prize from Christian Wulff at the annual awards ceremony and gain access to the TOP 100 package of benefits.