City Challenge Berlin 2026 Winners Announced

The Berlin Senate Chancellery has selected two digital solutions as winners of the City Challenge Berlin, both of which are designed to make the work of Berlin’s public administration simpler and more efficient. Respeak GmbH was recognized for its intelligent voice assistant, while replan GmbH was selected for a tool designed to improve the coordination of construction projects. Each solution will receive €25,000 in funding and will be further developed and put to use within Berlin’s public administrative apparatus over the coming months.

This year marked the second edition of the City Challenge Berlin.   Initiated by the Berlin Senate Chancellery and Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH, the competition is part of Berlin’s “Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin” smart city strategy. Governing Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner will present the winners with their awards on October 14, 2026, at the Berlin booth at the Smart Country Convention.

Florian Hauer, Chief Digital Officer of the State of Berlin: “The City Challenge is a powerful example of how we can bring the innovative strength of startups and the research community together with the challenges facing our public administration.  We are bringing digital solutions to the areas where Berliners need support in their everyday lives. This can make interactions with public authorities easier, processes more transparent and communication faster.  The key is to turn ideas into robust, practical applications that genuinely make the work of public administration easier while improving services for the people who rely on them – helping create a more modern and effective Berlin.”

Dr. Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH:“With the City Challenge Berlin, we are bringing the innovative strength of startups, companies and research institutions together with the specific needs of public administration.  The winning solutions demonstrate the potential of digital technologies to make public services more efficient, user-friendly and accessible. At the same time, we are strengthening Berlin’s position as a hub for innovative solutions that deliver real value for the city and its residents.”
 

The competition aims to bring companies and research institutions together to develop digital solutions to challenges facing Berlin’s public administration and make public services more efficient and user-friendly.  Further information is available here.

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology – Driving Innovation and Growth

Berlin Partner for Business and Technology is the capital’s economic development agency for growth and innovation. The organization supports companies and investors as they relocate to Berlin and expand their presence in the city. Its experts provide guidance on financing opportunities, advise on finding suitable space and qualified staff, and help build networks with partners from the research community. Berlin Partner is backed by the State of Berlin and 250 companies committed to promoting their city, making it a strong public-private partnership. Berlin Partner is also responsible for marketing the German capital worldwide. www.berlin-partner.de