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Kleinblatt GmbH Wins DEHOGA CUP with Indoor Vertical Farm Innovation

A Stuttgart startup just redefined fresh produce for restaurants—using vertical farms. Now, they're one step closer to BWW's biggest entrepreneurial stage.

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2 min read
The image shows an old map of the city of Stuttgart, Germany, with a drawing of a castle in the...
The image shows an old map of the city of Stuttgart, Germany, with a drawing of a castle in the middle of it. The text on the paper provides further details about the castle, such as its size, location, and other features.

Kleinblatt GmbH Wins DEHOGA CUP with Indoor Vertical Farm Innovation

Kleinblatt GmbH has won the DEHOGA CUP at the 2025/26 Start-up BW Elevator Pitch competition. The Stuttgart-based company impressed judges with its indoor vertical farm growing microgreens and gourmet mushrooms. The event took place on February 11, 2026, at INTERGASTRA in Stuttgart, highlighting innovation in the hospitality sector.

The Start-up BW Elevator Pitch has been running since 2013 as part of the state's Start-up BW initiative. Founders get just minutes to pitch their business ideas to a jury and audience. This year's DEHOGA CUP, organized by DEHOGA Baden-Württemberg, gave ten teams the chance to compete for prizes, including funding from L-Bank and training vouchers from the DEHOGA Academy.

Kleinblatt GmbH stood out with its transparent vertical farming concept. The company supplies restaurants and hospitality businesses with fresh produce grown indoors. Their win earned praise from Minister Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, who highlighted the event's role in showcasing Baden-Württemberg's entrepreneurial talent.

Regional qualifying rounds, called 'Cups', are held across the state before the annual finals. Winners must meet strict criteria: they must be at least of minimum age, actively developing a real business idea, and based in Baden-Württemberg. Each team can only enter with a new concept once.

Dr. Hoffmeister-Kraut and Dr. Hans-Ulrich Kauderer congratulated the winners. They stressed how Start-up BW supports entrepreneurs through funding, networking, and visibility. The DEHOGA CUP also provided founders with a key platform to connect with industry leaders and expand their professional networks.

Kleinblatt GmbH will now advance to the state finals of the Start-up BW Elevator Pitch. Their success at the DEHOGA CUP puts them in contention for further recognition and support. The competition continues to encourage innovation and growth among Baden-Württemberg's startups.

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