The price
The award recognises long-term entrepreneurial achievement combined with a clear commitment to Freiburg as a business location. The prize has been awarded since 2012.
Freiburg Entrepreneur Award
Award for entrepreneurial achievement and commitment to the Freiburg region
Since 2012, Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe (FWTM) has been presenting the Freiburg Entrepreneur Award every two years. The award
honours entrepreneurs, organisations and institutions that have a lasting impact on the city through outstanding economic performance, social commitment and their commitment to Freiburg as a location.
The prize does not carry a cash award – it is a symbolic recognition of entrepreneurial responsibility and highlights the contribution that businesses make to Freiburg.
The categories
The award has been presented every two years since 2012 in three categories: Business, Trade & Tourism; and Conferences, Trade Fairs & Events.
The prize winners
The award may be presented to individuals, companies, organisations, consortia and research institutions; it may also be awarded as a joint prize.
The criteria
The key criteria include business performance, financial success, social commitment and a commitment to Freiburg as a business location.
How the prize is awarded:
The Freiburg Entrepreneur Award is presented every two years.
The process:
- Nomination by the management: The FWTM management submits proposals for potential award winners to the Supervisory Board.
- Deliberation by the jury: A jury drawn from the ranks of the Supervisory Board deliberates on the nominations.
- Decision by the Supervisory Board: The Supervisory Board makes the final decision on the award of the prize.
- Award ceremony: The award ceremony takes place as part of a festive event; the most recent one was held on 16 April 2026 at the Konzerthaus Freiburg.
The 2026 Jury
The 2026 prize winners
On 16 April 2026, the Freiburg Entrepreneur Award was presented for the seventh time. At the ceremony held at the Konzerthaus Freiburg, Dr Falk Pharma, the Ganter Brewery and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra received the award. The prizes were presented by Martin Horn, Chairman of the FWTM Supervisory Board and Lord Mayor, together with FWTM Managing Directors Jens Mohrmann and Katharina Schirmbeck.
Business: Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH
Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH, headquartered in Freiburg, is an international specialist in digestive and metabolic medicine and has been developing innovative medications for diseases of the liver, bile ducts, intestines, and esophagus for over 60 years. The growing family-owned company employs approximately 1,550 people, 550 of whom are based in Freiburg, and is currently investing in new production and logistics facilities in the Markgräflerland region as well as in the Corum office building in northern Freiburg. Through the Falk Foundation e. V., the Falk Group also promotes professional exchange in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology.
Carola Falk on the award: “This award recognizes not only the current achievements but also the contributions made over many years by all employees of Dr. Falk Pharma, the Falk Foundation, and Losan Pharma.”
Trade & Tourism: Ganter Brewery
The Ganter Brewery stands for living tradition, regional identity, and entrepreneurial innovation in Freiburg. The family-run brewery celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2025 and has been actively supporting cultural, athletic, and community initiatives in the city for many years. Through its “Brewery Experience,” it also offers authentic insights into the art of brewing in Freiburg.
Managing Director Detlef Frankenberger: “The 2026 Entrepreneur Award is an extraordinary honor for us and demonstrates how deeply rooted we are as a brewery in Freiburg.”
Conventions, Trade Shows, and Events: Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
For nearly four decades, the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra has been one of the city’s most important cultural ambassadors. Founded by students at the Freiburg University of Music in the 1980s, this conductorless ensemble has evolved into one of the world’s leading period-instrument orchestras—featuring artists such as René Jacobs, Isabelle Faust, and Sir Simon Rattle.
Hans-Georg Kaiser: “For us, the Freiburg Entrepreneur Award is far more than just an honor—it is a powerful sign of appreciation for our role as cultural ambassadors for this city.”
Previous winners since 2012
| Year | Economy | Trade & Tourism | Conferences, trade fairs & events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ANGELL Academy – Antoinette Klute-Wetterauer | Colombi Hotel – Waltraud and Roland Burtsche | INTERBRUSH Trade Fair – Dr Heinz Zahoransky |
| 2014 | Alexander Bürkle GmbH & Co. KG – Paul Ege | Feierling Craft Brewery – Martina Feierling-Rombach | Baden Agricultural Association e. V. |
| 2017 | Fabrik Freiburg e. V. | Schafferer & Co. KG – Stefan Schupp | Gutmann Dance School |
| 2019 | Schaub Medical Supplies – Peter Wien | Vendors at the Münstermarkt | ZMF – Alex Heisler and Marc Oßwald |
| 2021 | Schwarzwaldmilch GmbH, Freiburg | Best Western Premier Hotel Victoria – the Späth family | Mundologia – Tobias Hauser and David Hettich |
| 2023 | JobRad – Ulrich and Sandra Prediger, Holger Tumat | Stiegeler Schlafkomfort – Henrike Beck | Kranz Live Eventsolution – Martin and Norbert Kranz |
| 2026 | Dr Falk Pharma – Dr Martin and Carola Falk | Ganter Brewery – Detlef Frankenberger, Bertold Ganter | Freiburg Baroque Orchestra – Hans-Georg Kaiser |
The 2026 Awards Ceremony
Relive the highlights of the 2026 awards ceremony at the Konzerthaus Freiburg – featuring the prize-winners, the laudatory speeches and the festive supporting programme.
FAQs
Every two years, since the first awards ceremony in 2012.
No. The prize is not awarded on the basis of an application. Prize winners are nominated specifically by the FWTM management and a preliminary selection committee drawn from the Supervisory Board; the Supervisory Board makes the final decision.
No, the Freiburg Entrepreneur Award does not come with a cash prize. It is an honorary award.
Individuals, companies, organisations, consortia and research institutions based in, or committed to, Freiburg. The entrepreneur must be a co-partner and hold a position on the management board.
In the categories ‘Economy’, ‘Trade & Tourism’ and ‘Conferences, Trade Fairs & Events’.
Freiburg is shaped by people who make a difference
The Freiburg Entrepreneur Award, presented every two years, recognises entrepreneurial achievements that shape Freiburg as a business hub – from long-established family businesses to the city’s cultural ambassadors.
Your contact at FWTM
Do you have any questions about the Freiburg Entrepreneur Award? We look forward to hearing from you.
Dr Michael Richter
Head of the Economic Development Department
michael.richter@fwtm.de
+49 761 3881-1200
