Examining the alignment of the aid with the rules of the domestic market was part of the Commission's review.

The MEXI award ceremony, organised by Economic Development and NEXT MANNHEIM, took place aboard the MS Karlsruhe in the Mühlau harbour on September 18, 2025. The event honoured the future-oriented business ideas of young Mannheim start-ups.

A total of nearly 60 applications were received for the competition in the categories of Technology, Services, Impact, and Fashion. The best three start-ups in each category were selected by a high-calibre jury.

In the Technology category, Replique GmbH took first place, followed by iQMedix GmbH in second and PyoScience GmbH in third. Replique, a company specialising in circular intelligence, analyses unused components in inventory, identifies alternatives, and enables reuse before parts are newly procured or scrapped, helping companies reduce CO2 emissions, waste, and costs. iQMedix, on the other hand, offers innovative solutions in the field of medical imaging and diagnostics. PyoScience focuses on developing software for the analysis of large amounts of data, particularly in the life sciences.

In the Services category, rightflow GmbH emerged as the winner. rightflow provides tailor-made low-code solutions for automation and data visualization, supporting businesses in addressing the shortage of skilled workers and optimising processes.

In the Impact category, no cash prizes were awarded due to a lack of available search results specifying the first prize winners. However, QuickNaavi Consulting, which supports highly qualified individuals with a migration background in entering the German job market, connecting them with suitable companies and promoting equal opportunities, was among the finalists.

The Fashion category winners received a media prize worth 10,000 euros and a cash prize of 2,500 euros. In this category, the first-place winners were not specified in the available search results. IIANA BIASINI UG, a luxury lingerie label that produces handcrafted lingerie and nightwear in Mannheim, focusing on high-quality, sustainable, and long-lasting clothing, was among the finalists.

Extrafrei GmbH, which operates a digital booking portal "ExtraSauber" that connects customers with certified cleaning companies, promoting fair working conditions and reducing illegal employment, also made it to the finalists' list. Zenzai GmbH, a company that creates sustainable sneakers with approximately 90% natural materials, including cactus leather and a fully compostable sole, aiming to offer fully circular and biodegradable products, was another finalist.

The winners of the Technology, Services, and Impact categories each received 10,000 euros. In the Fashion category, the first-place winners would have received a media prize worth 10,000 euros and a cash prize of 2,500 euros.

The MEXI winners will also present themselves at the Mannheim Economic Forum on November 10, 2025. MELT-Ing GmbH, which develops thermal buffer plates that provide buildings with lightweight construction the necessary storage mass, preventing summer overheating and reducing winter cooling, even when using renewable energies, is one of the start-ups looking forward to this opportunity.

resourcly GmbH, which brings circular intelligence to industry, and Bags Innovation Hub GmbH, which has developed a lightweight, ergonomic, and functional design for school backpacks, are other start-ups that will showcase their innovative ideas at the Mannheim Economic Forum.

The MEXI award ceremony was a celebration of the future of business in Mannheim, highlighting the city's thriving start-up scene and its commitment to sustainable and impactful entrepreneurship.

Examining the alignment of the aid with the rules of the domestic market was part of the Commission's review.