Weimar (dpa/th) - This year's winners of the Thuringian Innovation Prize, which is endowed with 100,000 euros, come from Jena and the Weimarer Land. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, five top developments and one entrepreneur will be honored in Weimar on Wednesday evening. 62 applications were submitted for the competition this year.
A number of the suggestions dealt with challenges, for example in medicine and infection control, energy saving, resource conservation and sustainability. Economics Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee sees this as "a reliable indicator of the high level of technological performance" in the Free State.
The awards were given in different categories. The companies Idloop from Jena were honored for a contactless fingerprint scanner and Coachwhisperer for the development of a communication system with which coaches can contact the athletes during the game.
from Jenpneu
The Jena start-up Fluldect, which initially focuses on solutions for testing drinking water quality, received the special prize for young companies. In addition, the managing director of Layertec from Mellingen (Weimarer Land district), Hartmut Heyer, was honored for innovative entrepreneurship. His company, with more than 350 employees, produces optical parts for laser technology.
The innovation prize was awarded for the 25th time this year. It recognizes the innovative power of companies and is intended to encourage the development of new products. The prize money is donated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
