Young companies, big ideas: ATHENE Startup Award UP25@it-sa launches application phase

From 1 to 31 July 2025, up-and-coming companies from the cybersecurity sector based in the DACH region will have the opportunity to apply for the ATHENE Startup Award UP25@it-sa. The competition is supported by the sponsors Deutsche Telekom Security, Kaspersky and Infinigate, who are providing total prize money of 15,000 euros. An independent jury of experts will select the pitch participants on the basis of the submitted product solutions, entrepreneurial visions and sales strategies. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, as part of the it-sa Expo&Congress in Nuremberg. Five finalists will present their concepts in a live pitch, from which the jury will select the winner.

Who will be the leading cybersecurity startup in the DACH region?

From 1 to 31 July 2025, startups from Germany, Austria and Switzerland will have the opportunity to apply for the prestigious ATHENE Startup Award UP25@it-sa. The award recognises outstanding achievements by young companies in the field of IT security and data protection and will be presented for the eighth time on 8 October 2025 at it-sa Expo&Congress – Europe's leading trade fair for IT security – in Nuremberg.

An independent panel of experts reviews all applications received and selects five finalists based on product and service quality, entrepreneurial vision and mission as well as sales strategy. These finalists present their concepts online on the it-sa 365 digital platform as part of the Digital Preview Day. After a live pitch at the it-sa Expo&Congress, the three winners will be selected.

The prize money totalling €15,000 is provided by the sponsors Deutsche Telekom Security (1st place: €7,500), Kaspersky (2nd place: €5,000) and Infinigate (3rd place: €2,500).

Lukas Baumann, CEO LocateRisk GmbH and winner of the UP24@it-sa Award explains: “I am overwhelmed by winning the ATHENE Startup Award – a confirmation of our commitment to sustainably securing companies with innovative cybersecurity solutions such as our External Attack Surface Management (EASM) and ThirdParty Risk Management (TPRM).”

Additional benefits for nominated startups

All five nominated startups will be given the opportunity to present and network on the it-sa 365 digital platform for one year free of charge with the “Company & Product Package”. They will also receive a special stage as part of the Digital Preview Day, the digital trade fair preview on the it-sa 365 digital platform. In addition, the first-placed company will be offered a one-year free membership of the IT Security Cluster e. V. and a free exhibition stand at the Regensburg Cybersecurity Congress 2026 – which will then be taking place for the fifth time.

Start of the application phase

Startups that want to win the ATHENE Startup Award UP25@it-sa must act now: From 1 July, young companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a focus on IT security and data protection can apply online. The deadline for applications is 31 July, after which the expert jury will evaluate the applications and pre-select the startups for the pitch at it-sa Expo&Congress. The expert jury will not only assess the degree of innovation and technical implementation, but also the business model, sales, marketing and vision of the founding team. The panel combines expertise from the fields of cyber security and startup promotion. The ATHENE Digital Hub Cybersecurity, the IT security cluster, Bitkom, the sponsors Deutsche Telekom Security, Kaspersky and Infinigate and last year's winner LocateRisk are all represented.

About the ATHENE Startup Award UP@it-sa

The ATHENE Startup Award UP@it-sa honours promising startups and young companies that develop innovative solutions in the field of IT security and data protection. The focus is on pioneering products as well as sustainable and scalable business models. The award is an initiative of the national research centre for applied cyber security ATHENE, IT-Sicherheitscluster e. V. and it-sa. Since 2018, the award has been presented as part of it-sa Expo&Congress – Europe's leading trade fair for IT security.

About the trade fair it-sa Expo&Congress

it-sa supports IT security managers with comprehensive offers for the secure organisation of the digital transformation. As the “Home of IT Security”, it offers a central platform for information, networking and knowledge transfer on all aspects of IT security and data protection – both on site and digitally. it-sa Expo&Congress in Nuremberg is the leading European trade fair for the industry. In addition, the digital platform it-sa 365 provides IT security professionals with continuous access to expertise, the latest developments and networking opportunities – at any time and from any location.