Starting this year, the most courageous and innovative digitization and transformation projects in German SMEs will be honored by Deutsche Telekom in cooperation with the Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft e. V. (BVMW). The newly created Digital X Award (DXA) follows on directly from the seven-year success story of the previous Digital Champions Award, with which Deutsche Telekom, together with WirtschaftsWoche, honored exemplary projects in the area of digitization and transformation.
In order to anchor the award even more firmly in the economic landscape, we have brought on board the BVMW, Germany's most important business association and one of our long-standing cooperation partners. Together, we are now looking for the best digital lighthouse projects in the SME sector as part of the DXA. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, will be the patron of the Digital X Awards.
In turbulent times for the local and global economy, with the Digital X Award we not only select the most groundbreaking best practice cases, but also give digital pioneers from German SMEs an ideal stage to present their concepts to a wider public and serve as a source of inspiration for other companies. Our goal: to jointly demonstrate the potential of digitization and learn from pioneers. For the digital tomorrow.
Volker Wissing
Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport
Greeting from the publishers
„I believe that technology can be the answer to climate change, but we have to hurry.“
Hagen Rickmann
Patron
German SMEs are praised worldwide for their innovative strength. It has always taken on challenges courageously and responded flexibly to every new situation. In order to convince customers with new, contemporary products, services and business models and to work more efficiently, many companies are now declaring digitization a top priority. What they also need for this transformation are digital role models - positive examples of how to successfully tackle the change. We are now giving such digital pioneers a stage with the Digital X Award. Are you a digital leader whose experience and ideas can benefit others? If so, we look forward to receiving your application!
Sincerely yours,
Your Hagen Rickmann
„The Digital X Award shines a spotlight on mid-sized companies that are already boldly leading the way into the digital world.“
Markus Jerger
Patron
The DIGITAL X AWARD honors trendsetters from whom others can and should learn. The industry or the size of the company do not play a role. What is decisive is the degree of innovation and the transferability to other small and medium-sized enterprises - in other words, best practices. When it comes to digitization, German SMEs still have some catching up to do compared to large companies. That's why initiatives like the DIGITAL X AWARD are so important for accelerating the digitization process. Those who digitize shine. Those who don't digitize lose.
Sincerely yours,
Your Markus Jerger
The categories of the DIGITAL X AWARD
2022
DIGITAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Apply in this category if your company has successfully mastered digital transformation across the breadth of its organization.
DIGITAL PROCESSES & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
This category addresses companies that have digitized important processes in their company or improved the efficiency of their organization.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FOR SMES
This category is open to companies that offer their customers special shopping or other experiences with the help of innovative digital services.
DIGITAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Companies that have been able to optimize their products or services thanks to innovative digital services or technologies can apply here.
ESG: Environmental, social and responsible corporate governance
Companies that assume ecological and social responsibility can apply for this category. Aspects such as occupational safety, health protection, social commitment and also energy efficiency issues are important for these companies.
Prize of Honour
This category honors initiatives, individuals or companies that have made a special contribution to society through their non-profit commitment.
Patron of the Digital X Award 2022
„Digital awakening needs digital champions - role models who work digitally instead of analogue, efficiently instead of cumbersomely. Just like many innovative SMEs that are put in the spotlight and honoured by the Digital X Award.“
Volker Wissing
Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport
Winners of the DIGITAL X AWARD 2022
ESG: Environmental, social and responsible corporate governance
German Volunteers gUG
German Volunteers is a non-profit organisation that promotes volunteering in sport and culture. With their digital platform for volunteering, they create a sustainable infrastructure for volunteers and organisers that promotes participation, international understanding and education through volunteering and strengthens structures in sport and culture. German Volunteers was founded in 2020 and today consists of a core team of three enthusiastic athletes and volunteers, along with many supporters.
Since the company was founded in 1928, the name Emons Spedition has stood for reliable and flexible services in the transport and logistics segments. With their international network of locations and know-how, they enable their customers to connect to all the world's important centres. As a service provider in the transport & logistics sector, Emons is well positioned internationally with over 100 locations in Germany, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Turkey, the USA and the United Arab Emirates. For more than 90 years, the family-run forwarding company has communicated directly with its customers, acting in a target-oriented and sustainable manner.
SELECT AG is a purchasing cooperation for the automotive parts wholesale trade. Their core business consists of defined services for the automotive parts wholesale trade and the associated independent workshop. The basis of their success is the strong network they form with their shareholders, suppliers and numerous cooperation partners. Together they create room for manoeuvre in the independent aftermarket and secure the future viability of their 30,000 customers. SELECT AG is one of the three leading players in the German Independent Aftermarket (IAM). A total of 13 parts wholesalers belong to SELECT AG as shareholders with 99 ownership locations throughout Germany. Every day, more than 1,300 delivery vehicles carry out 3,400 tours for the company - and that for 30,000 customers. With an annual turnover of over 500 million euros, SELECT AG is a key player in the automotive parts wholesale sector.
With its new app, FINDME Deutschland FM GmbH gives users the opportunity to find their way into the professional world, i.e. internships, apprenticeships or dual studies, regionally and nationally. Getting to know new professions, placing jobs, searching & finding, participating in events and easy applicant management are just some of the benefits of the FINDME app.
The #WeAreAllUkrainians non-profit limited liability company emerged from the ad-hoc initiative that Dr. Wladimir Klitschko and Tatjana Kiel launched immediately after the start of the war in Ukraine.
FLEET X GmbH is an expert in (digital) events, Digitalisation and the pandemic are changing our communication, our coexistence and our cooperation worldwide. New ideas and smart solutions are needed here. As one of the leading private trade fair and congress organisers in German-speaking countries, FLEET Events organises its business and consumer events in analogue form and develops new digital formats.
Klitschko Ventures GmbH, based in Hamburg, has set itself the goal of making the insights of multiple boxing champion Dr. Wladimir Klitschko available to everyone. To this end, the Klitschko Ventures team has developed the F.A.C.E. the Challenge method in cooperation with Wladimir Klitschko.
With around 500 employees, Rauschenberger Catering & Restaurants has been the specialist for large customer events, sporting events and trade fair catering for 40 years. It demonstrates its culinary expertise in its two own restaurants in Stuttgart and Munich. As one of the top providers, Rauschenberger Catering & Restaurants is ready to meet any challenge in the field of corporate and private events nationwide. With a wealth of ideas, perfect craftsmanship, professional processes, smooth logistics and staff, it transforms every event into an unforgettable experience. Large companies trust in their promise of quality and book the company nationwide and in other European countries. No matter how big the event, and no matter where it is planned, they are ready.
The winners of the Digital Champions Award were honored live in Cologne at DIGITAL X 2021. Companies from all over Germany submitted their ideas in 2021.
Review
DIGITAL CHAMPIONS AWARD
2021
The winners of the Digital Champions Award were honored live in Cologne at DIGITAL X 2021. Companies from all over Germany submitted their ideas in 2021.
