aconium GmbH has been awarded the TOP 100 Seal 2021, one of the most important awards for future-oriented innovation management. This prize is awarded annually to particularly innovative medium-sized companies – for the 28th time now. aconium GmbH had previously proven its innovative strength in a scientific selection process.
On behalf of compamedia, the organiser of the TOP 100 innovation competition, innovation researcher Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and his team examined the innovative strength of aconium GmbH. The researchers used around 120 test criteria from five categories as a basis:
- Innovation-promoting top management
- Climate of innovation
- Innovative processes and organisation
- External orientation/open innovation
- Innovation success
The innovative strength of aconium GmbH is demonstrated above all by the large number of projects that the company initiates, develops and implements in various areas: From special district heating projects and energy efficiency models at schools to state-of-the-art hydrogen technology, broadband infrastructure and the digitalisation of administration. The innovative strength of aconium GmbH is also visible through over 1500 network partners throughout Europe, as well as through global partnerships.
Tim Brauckmüller, Managing Partner of aconium GmbH, emphasises the special significance of the award: “The Innovation Award encourages us in our multifaceted activities, because all of our products, services and projects are based on the great opportunities of the future. Developing and promoting innovations is at the heart of our company. aconium always looks to the future and deals with business areas that no one is thinking about today, but which will be indispensable for entire industries and societies tomorrow.”
In the selection process for the Top 100 seal, the in-depth scientific analysis does not focus on a company’s individual innovations. In essence, the question is whether innovations are the result of a planned approach or a product of chance – in other words, the main focus is on the repeatability of innovation performance. It also examines whether and how the corresponding solutions succeed on the market. Due to the current pandemic situation, there was also a special section this year in which the entrepreneurial response to the coronavirus crisis was examined.
Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke, the scientific director of TOP 100, is impressed by the award-winning SMEs. “The TOP 100 companies have consistently focused on being as innovative as possible,” he states.
On November 26, all the winners of the current TOP 100 year will come together to receive congratulations from Ranga Yogeshwar at the 7th German SME Summit in Ludwigsburg. The science journalist has been mentoring the innovation competition for ten years. In addition, a high-ranking jury of scientists, entrepreneurs, experienced founders, experts and politicians selects the “Innovator of the Year” from the three best companies in each size category (A, B, C). With over 200 dedicated employees, aconium GmbH is already one of the most innovative medium-sized companies in category C (medium-sized companies with the most employees).
Background:
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 seal for special innovative strength and above-average innovation success to medium-sized companies. Originally, the owner and managing director of the company, Joachim Schuble, initiated the competition at regional level. However, due to the positive response, the project developed into a nationwide award.
The scientific management has been in the hands of Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke since 2002. Franke is the founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. With 25 research awards and over 200 publications, he is one of the leading innovation researchers internationally. Project partners are the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the BVMW association of small and medium-sized enterprises.