CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Watch out newcomer entrepreneurs: This could be your chance to kickstart your startup!
Do you have an exciting business idea? Or have you just entered the journey of creating your own startup? Are you a newcomer in NRW? If so, this is a competition for you!

The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award offers you not only
the opportunity to work on your concept and get feedback from
experienced
trainers, jury members, and peers, but also – 🥁🥁🥁 –
27.500€ seed capital in total for 4 lucky winners plus
individual coaching and support !
Relive the Rheinpreneur Moment
Experience the energy, emotion, and inspiration of the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award. From powerful pitches to personal stories – these videos capture what this event is truly about.
Rheinpreneur 2025 – Recap
A celebration of courage, community, and newcomer innovation!
This short video captures the energy, warmth, and powerful stories from the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Startup Award 2025 in Düsseldorf. From inspiring pitches to meaningful connections — this is what inclusive entrepreneurship looks like.
Belonging Builds the Future – Voices from Rheinpreneur 2025
Behind every business idea is a human story. At Rheinpreneur 2025, we witnessed what happens when people are seen, supported, and celebrated.
This video is a tribute to newcomer entrepreneurs who are shaping the future – with courage, resilience, and vision.
At SINGA, we believe migration drives innovation. And when people feel they belong, they can truly thrive.
Join the SINGA movement.
Impressions from Rheinpreneur 2025
A look back at an unforgettable day. Explore moments of connection, celebration, and community – and meet the people behind the ideas.
Photo by Jacob
Photo by Kolya
Photo by Oliver
Photo by Leo
Photo by Paul
Photo by Lea
Photo by Fabrice
Photo by Alex
Photo by Adam
Photo by Arnaud
Photo by Leopold
Photo by Katie
RHEINPRENEUR WINNERS
Get inspired from previous Rheinpreneur winners and their business ideas!

What is in it for you?

We know it’s not all about the prize money. The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award has even more to offer:
Great opportunities
to network – online and offline.
Valuable feedback
on your ideas and plans from experienced entrepreneurs and experts.
Visibility
and the chance to present your (future) business to a larger audience if you are nominated as a finalist.
Our Prizes:
And this is how it works:
Everything you need to know.
Still wondering if this is for you? Take a look at our FAQs and read the conditions for participation.
Evaluation Criteria

Evaluating the entrepreneurs’ business ideas, analyzing potentials, and deciding which (future) businesses should win the big prize is not an easy task – but our expert jurors like a little challenge!


As a team with diverse backgrounds and expertise, they not only pre-select the six finalists to compete for the public voting prize, but also evaluate their live pitches at the final award show.


Decisions on the winners of the 3 main prizes are based on the following criteria:

  • degree of innovation of product or service solution
  • clear understanding of and attractiveness for a target group
  • competition in the market
  • feasibility
  • business model
  • entrepreneur / team and network
  • business responsibility
MEET THE RHEINPRENEUR 2025 FINALISTS!
Discover the innovative startup ideas from our 2025 Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award finalists.
By Chandni Ranganath-Schulz
A community-driven beauty platform that delivers personalized product recommendations powered by real user experiences - not generic algorithms.
LinkedIn
By Zafeer Khan
A smart app for car diagnostics, spare parts, and mechanic booking — making auto repair fast and transparent.
LinkedIn
By Hani Eid
Smart QR-code tags that help reunite lost items with their owners via secure web & WhatsApp contact.
LinkedIn
By Zarangez Muminova
Video-based home repair support connecting users with real handypeople for live DIY fixes.
LinkedIn
By John Iwueke
An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers stay compliant with complex product regulations — in real time.
LinkedIn
By Abdulwadoud Alikhwan
Eco-friendly, recyclable packaging made of paper tubes — a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam.
LinkedIn
Meet our Rheinpreneur 2025 Jury
We are so proud to have these amazing experts on board with us!
  • Peter Akpotosu-Nartey
    Peter is an Investment Director at IMPACT Partners, managing €350M in assets and investing in social impact businesses across Europe. With experience across VC, entrepreneurship, and finance, Peter is passionate about supporting underrepresented founders with purpose-driven solutions.
  • Julia Bandov
    Julia is a communications expert and ecosystem builder focused on making tech and entrepreneurship more inclusive. As Head of Partnerships at Founders Bay, she supports early-stage, impact-driven startups from underserved regions. She co-founded paeq to help companies close gender gaps and created MumsFounding to empower entrepreneurial mothers. Julia also leads Women in Tech Berlin and advocates for equity in the industry, while championing working parents as a mother of two.
  • Martina Lartey
    Martina is a business consultant specializing in social entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation, with a focus on diversity and social change. As Program and Community Manager at AiDiA, Germany’s largest business and culture event, she guides startups from idea to investor pitch. Known for her strategic insight and strong network, Martina supports founders aiming to create meaningful impact.
  • Eugenia Gagin
    Eugenia is co-founder of dentalheld.de and a board member of StartupDorf e.V. She is a passionate networker and regularly shares her own start-up experience as a mentor or speaker. As part of her work at StartupDorf, she brings together various stakeholders from the start-up scene in NRW, true to the motto ‘connecting the dots’.
Our events
Check out our upcoming events, register and participate!
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Register now!
Register now!
Meet our team
Contact our Project Lead!
  • Izabella Neves de Morais
    Izabella Neves de Morais is a Project Lead with 15 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Publicity, a Master’s in Service Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Social Innovation Management.
    She has five years of experience in the financial sector and two years leading EU-funded programmes. With expertise in the Latin American, European, UAE, and Indian markets, she has managed high-impact global projects, large-scale startup events, and equity product development. As a teacher, speaker, and mentor, she specialises in developing scalable solutions for immigrant women and international communities with an impact-focused approach.
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US 😊
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Get to know us and our Partner
Get to know SINGA Deutschland and our partnership with TARGOBANK, united by a shared vision of innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurial empowerment.
  • SINGA Deutschland was founded in 2016 to create meaningful connections between newcomers and locals and shift the paradigm of migration. Today we have devoted our work to building impactful, ground-breaking, and sustainable solutions for inclusive societies and innovative economies.
  • We are proud to have TARGOBANK as our key funding partners. With a strong commitment to financial support and innovation, TARGO Bank empowers businesses and individuals with tailored banking solutions. Their dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable growth aligns with our mission to support emerging startups and visionary projects.
All text, photo, and video materials belong to their owners and are for demonstration purposes only. Please do not use them in commercial projects.