DGNB Sustainability Challenge

We are looking for real innovations that question the existing, initiate something new and bring about change

Ob Forschende, ambitionierte Gründerinnen und Gründer oder etablierte Unternehmen: Die Transformation der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft hin zu mehr Nachhaltigkeit braucht kluge Köpfe. Mutige Vordenker, die Bestehendes hinterfragen, Neues anstoßen und Skeptiker zu begeisterten Mitstreitern machen. Seit 2016 spürt die DGNB mit der Sustainability Challenge solche Pioniere auf und bietet ihnen und ihren Innovationen eine Bühne.

Whether they are researchers, ambitious founders or established businesses: The transformation of the construction and real estate industry towards greater sustainability needs bright minds. Courageous pioneers who question the status quo, initiate new ideas and turn sceptics into enthusiastic supporters. Since 2016, the DGNB has been looking for such pioneers with the Sustainability Challenge, offering them and their innovations a stage.

Save the Date
Applications for the DGNB Sustainability Challenge 2027 will open in early November 2026.

It's worth taking part!

In addition to access to the DGNB’s international network of experts, the finalists will benefit from:

PR impact through extensive coverage
Visibility through live presentations at the digital pitch event and on stage at the DGNB Sustainability Day

Matchmaking with potential partners via your own stand at the Marketplace of Ideas at the DGNB Sustainability Day
Access to the DGNB's international network of experts

All information on the competition

Applications for the DGNB Sustainability Challenge are submitted digitally. In your application, you must highlight the positive contribution your project, business model or product innovation makes to the transformation towards greater sustainability and climate protection in the construction and real estate sector.

Three categories

Applications for the DGNB Sustainability Challenge can be submitted in three categories:

Innovation: The right category for companies with a product or service innovation that stands out from existing solutions on the market and makes a significant contribution to sustainability.
Start-up: We are looking for young companies (up to 5 years after company foundation) that are breaking new ground with their innovative business model and are promoting sustainability in the construction and property industry.
Research: Researchers and students with ongoing or completed projects that promote the transformation of the construction and property industry are eligible to apply.

Special awards

'Knowledge Transfer'
The special award ‘Knowledge Transfer’ recognises projects or companies that live by the motto ‘We don’t always have to reinvent the wheel’. Across categories, such projects or companies are sought that serve as role models by significantly accelerating the transformation through making sound knowledge on key sustainability issues available and ensuring it is widely applied. The evaluation considers not only the actual impact on sustainability and climate action, but also the potential of the solutions developed to be scaled up. Projects are also rewarded for pursuing exceptional and promising ways of transferring knowledge that inspire others to follow suit.

Special Student Award
Students can apply in the 'Research' category. Please make sure to indicate on the entry form that your submission is a student project.

Audience Award

The audience award is open to all categories. The winner will be determined by an online vote and an on-site vote at the DGNB Sustainability Day.

Process and selection

An expert jury selects the top three per category from all entries, as well as the winner of each category and the winners of the special prizes. All organisations and projects nominated by the jury will present their solution at a digital, public pitch event.

At the DGNB Sustainability Day, the nominees present themselves again on stage. They also have their own stand for networking with attendees and to find potential partners and clients. The winners of the three categories and the special awards are also announced at this event. The winner of the audience award is determined by an online vote and an on-site vote at the DGNB Sustainability Day.

The majority of the DGNB Innovation Advisory Board is involved in the DGNB Sustainability Challenge jury. In addition, other recognised experts from the DGNB network have been added to this panel.