Recognition for Innovation and Sustainability from Brandenburg
On May 6, 2025, Green City Solutions from Bestensee was honored with the prestigious Wirtschaftspreis VORSPRUNG (‘VORSPRUNG Business Award’). The award ceremony took place at the Representation of the State of Saxony-Anhalt in Berlin and recognizes companies that are driving the economic transformation in Eastern Germany through innovation, sustainable growth, and forward-looking solutions.
The host of the festive award ceremony at the Representation of Saxony-Anhalt was Sven Schulze, the state’s Minister of Economic Affairs. He presented the awards to the seven winners together with the Ministers of Economic Affairs from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony, the Minister of Economic Affairs from Thuringia, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Berlin, the Managing Director of the Brandenburg Economic Development Agency, and the representative of the European Investment Bank in Germany. Two of the seven award winners, Green City Solutions from Bestensee and Sonocrete from Cottbus, are based in Brandenburg.
“We would like to thank the jury led by former Minister President Matthias Platzeck for the award, the distinguished representatives of the federal states for their laudatory speeches, and especially Ms. Beate Foerstner from the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) for the nomination”, wrote Green City Solutions’ CEO Peter Sänger on LinkedIn.
Copyright: Deutschland – Land der Ideen Amin Akhtar
VORSPRUNG Award: Recognition for Sustainable Innovation
The VORSPRUNG Award is presented annually ahead of the East German Economic Forum (Ostdeutsches Wirtschaftsforum, OWF) and highlights companies that combine technological innovation with social responsibility. This year, the OWF will take place from May 18 to 20 in Bad Saarow under the motto “next level”, showcasing how companies from Eastern Germany are setting new standards with sustainable technologies and bold ideas.
Philipp Mehne, Managing Director of Germany – Land of Ideas and Director of the OWF, emphasized: “The award-winning companies impressively demonstrate that innovation, sustainability, and economic success go hand in hand in Eastern Germany — and inspire confidence for what lies ahead.”
Sven Schulze, Minister for Economic Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, also highlighted the importance of the winners: “With the VORSPRUNG Award, we honor courageous companies that serve as important role models. Small and medium-sized enterprises as well as start-ups are the backbone of our economy in Eastern Germany and are crucial for jobs and prosperity. The award is intended as both recognition and motivation, especially for those who take responsibility every day, have the courage to break new ground, and achieve globally competitive success.”
Copyright: Deutschland – Land der Ideen Amin Akhtar
Green-Tech Pioneer from Brandenburg
Green City Solutions is a pioneer in sustainable urban development and green technology. The company leverages the natural properties of living moss, combined with state-of-the-art IoT technology and innovative ventilation and irrigation systems, to measurably improve air quality in cities. The filtering effect of the moss is about ten times higher than that of conventional greenery. Green City Solutions’ products are used both indoors and outdoors, providing effective protection against heat and air pollutants.
In addition to air purification, Green City Solutions focuses on promoting biodiversity and multifunctional solutions: from classic greening elements to digital information carriers, seating, water tanks, networking technology, and charging infrastructure — the products are highly versatile and contribute to sustainable urban development.
Peter Sänger, CEO and Co-Founder of Green City Solutions, is delighted with the award: “With over 200 active start-ups and many established innovative companies, Brandenburg is rich in VORSPRUNG Award candidates. That’s why this recognition is a very special honor for us, and we thank the jury for choosing us!” He adds: “This award encourages our team to continue boldly exploring new paths. Together with our partners, we want to demonstrate that sustainable technologies from Eastern Germany can truly make a difference—for people, the environment, and the economy.”
And: “For us, things have come full circle”, Peter Sänger also reveals, “as we were already recognized by Germany – Land of Ideas in our early days in 2015, as one of the ‘100 Places in the Land of Ideas’ and as the national winner in the Environment category.”
Back then, still based in Dresden and now located in Bestensee, Brandenburg, he and his team have “remained loyal to the business location of Eastern Germany”.
Copyright: Deutschland – Land der Ideen Amin Akhtar
Shaping the Future with Sustainable Solutions
A big thank you to the East German Economic Forum, to Germany – Land of Ideas, the jury and all participants, partners and award winners who are joining us on this journey!
We congratulate all award winners and look forward to the East German Economic Forum 2025 in Bad Saarow!
By winning the VORSPRUNG Award, Green City Solutions underscores its role as an innovation driver for green cities and sustainable technologies. The company is committed to making cities more livable, improving air quality, and meeting the challenges of climate change with intelligent solutions.
Green City Solutions as one of the “100 Places in the Land of Ideas” and as national winner in the “Environment” category, Copyright: Deutschland – Land der Ideen
When used correctly — as a supplement to existing urban greenery — our solution can help reduce urban heat islands, capture fine dust particles from the air, and effectively support rainwater management.
Learn more about our innovative solutions:
Rainwater Management
Efficient Cooling
Urban Greenery
