Kind + Jugend Awards: Onto the stage of innovation

The Kind + Jugend Innovation Award is the flagship of the trade fair and sets new standards in the industry every year. Outstanding innovations are honored in eight categories. The award is highly regarded by both trade visitors and consumers and can make a significant contribution to the success of the award-winning products.

The conditions of participation are clearly defined: The product must be ready for the market and must not be older than 12 months at the time of the award ceremony in September 2024. It must also clearly stand out from other products in terms of design, material or technology.

Whether up-and-coming start-ups or established industry giants - everyone has the same chance of winning an award. The seven award categories range from Moving & Traveling to Furniture & Facility and Mom & Kids Care.

An international and independent jury of experienced experts from the baby and toddler market will evaluate all submitted products. The 2024 expert jury is made up of a competent who's who of the industry, including founders, publishers and editors-in-chief of renowned trade magazines. Katja Keienburg, a long-standing jury member, emphasizes that innovation is an important criterion. “Nevertheless, the product must also be able to survive on the market. Design, material, handling and sustainability play a role,” says Keienburg.

The products are judged according to clearly defined criteria, with safety and degree of innovation taking top priority. The perspectives of the jury members are diverse and are incorporated into the competition. Other evaluation criteria include sustainability, specific additional benefits for the target group, design and quality of workmanship. “I evaluate according to criteria that I recognize as important in the community,” explains Sara Urbainczyk, who has been on the jury since last year. “Suitability for everyday use and sustainability are crucial.”

The renowned innovation award ceremony has undergone an exciting expansion in 2023: the Midwives' Choice Award. Due to the positive response from the industry, Kind + Jugend and Hebammen-testen.de are continuing their cooperation in 2024. The Additional prize "Midwives' Choice" will be presented again, with a unique jury of certified midwives evaluating the nominated products from their professional perspective and experience with pregnant women and young parents. This perspective has already led to other products being recognized in 2023 than by the Innovation Award jury.

The companies submitting entries can look forward to valuable insights and feedback from leading pregnancy and breastfeeding experts. Interestingly, all submissions that make it onto the Innovation Awards shortlist are automatically eligible for the Zusatzauszeichnung "Midwives' Choice", unless otherwise requested.
The nominees and winners will not only benefit from the recognition in the short term. In an exclusive special show during Kind + Jugend, not only the award-winning innovations but also all nominated products will be presented. Participation in the award promises international attention and coverage due to the presence of many media representatives on site. Jörg Schmale, Director of Kind + Jugend, emphasizes the special features of the awards: a top-class and demanding jury as well as an award ceremony that puts all award winners and nominees in the spotlight without charging additional license fees for carrying the award seal. The awards are not a business model, but an independent recognition of the best and most innovative products on the market.
Companies have until June 14th to apply for the popular Innovation Award and the Midwives' Choice additional award!

The Kind + Jugend trade fair not only stands for business contacts and product demonstrations, but also for the appreciation and promotion of innovations. It is regarded as the leading trade fair for baby and toddler equipment, where the spotlight is on innovations.

Jury: https://www.kindundjugend.de/events/events-vor-ort/innovation-award/die-jury/

Application Innovation Award: https://innovation-award.koelnmesse.online/