Formnext Awards 2025 open for submissions across six categories

This year, Formnext will once again celebrate outstanding developments and exceptional achievements from the world of Additive Manufacturing in its award competition. The awards are presented across six categories, including aspiring young companies, future-oriented sustainable business models, and cutting-edge technologies. Applications for this year’s awards are now open.

“To keep moving forward, the AM industry needs a constant supply of new and forward-looking ideas and innovators. So, we want to do more than just give outstanding people, companies, and organisations a stage. We also want to help them network and connect with potential customers, partners, and investors,” explained Christoph Stüker, Vice President Formnext at event organiser Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

The entries in each category will be judged by a distinguished panel of judges, some of whom are new this year, bringing fresh ideas with new perspectives and a broad expertise. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony at Formnext on the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025. In addition to the Formnext Awards trophy, the winners will receive a cash prize or non-cash prizes such as business coaching.

“The success of last year’s Formnext Awards launch has demonstrated the significant opportunities that the awards offer participants and winners in each category,” explained Petra Haarburger, President of event organiser Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “They enjoy access to all relevant international experts in one place and benefit from targeted networking and scope for in-depth discussions and strategic partnerships – while also raising their profile among key decision-makers in the industry and beyond. The awards stage at Formnext is where competence, relevance, and reach come together.”

This year’s categories are as follows:

• AMbassador Award: Outstanding individuals or organisations who have a unique impact on the industry and users through innovative training and education approaches or their personal advocacy.
  • The panel: Dr Irene Skibinski (VDMA Additive Manufacturing), Haden Quinlan (MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Ralf Anderhofstadt (Daimler Truck AG | Daimler Buses GmbH), Lisa D Block (Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies & Women in 3D Printing)
• Design Award: Exceptional AM design and AM products (aesthetic and functional aspects).
  • The panel: Anouk Wipprecht (FashionTech Designer and Engineer), Duann Scott (BITS to ATOMS and CDFAM), Prof Dr- Ing Oliver Tessmann (TU Darmstadt DDU Digital Design Unit – Digitales Gestalten), Evamaria Deisen (Deisen Design)
• (R)Evolution Award: Groundbreaking products, technologies, or services that offer outstanding added value for the user.
  • The panel: Dr Melissa Orme (Boeing), Dr-Ing Maximilian Binder (BMW Group), Prof Jennifer Johns (University of Bristol Business School)
• Rookie Award: Young individuals with promising business ideas who have either not yet founded a company or who launched less than a year ago.
  • The panel: Arno Held (AM Ventures), Alex Kingsbury (nLight), Prof Dr Peter Mayr (TU München) and Dr-Ing Sascha Schwarz (TUM Venture Labs), Heather Swift Hunt (Kickstarter)
• Start-up Award: Young, inspiring companies with viable business models.
  • The panel: Arno Held (AM Ventures), Alex Kingsbury (nLight), Prof Dr Peter Mayr (TU München) and Dr-Ing Sascha Schwarz (TUM Venture Labs), Heather Swift Hunt (Kickstarter)
• Sustainability Award: AM applications and products evaluated and rated on the basis of their product life cycle.
  • The panel: Prof Dr-Ing Kristian Arntz (FH Aachen), Dr Mohsen Seifi (ASTM International), Sherri Monroe (Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association, AMGTA)

As in the previous year, the finalists’ submissions and exhibits will be on display at Formnext 2025 as part of a special exhibition. In the public vote, Formnext’s visitors will have the opportunity to select one of the finalists in each of the six categories, either on site or online, and thus help determine the final result. Applications are open from now until July 31 for the Start-Up Award and August 31 for all other categories.

Those interested can submit here.

formnext.mesago.com