The StartupDorf Unicorn of the Year 2025: Christian Senfleben with Wellenpuls
The Unicorn Pitch Grand Final 2025 was once again an evening full of energy, compelling ideas, and meaningful conversations. Five startups from North Rhine-Westphalia presented their ventures in front of the jury and audience – in a fully booked venue with a waiting list.
The title StartupDorf Unicorn of the Year went to Christian Senfleben and his startup Wellenpuls – who impressively secured both the audience award and the jury award. A rare double win that reflected the strong alignment of idea, execution, and pitch.
The jury did not have an easy task. Especially the decision between first and second place sparked intensive discussions.
Congratulations also go to:
🥈 Esma Gulten (Gizil)
🥉 Matthias Liebig (NETQUES)
🚀 Ellen Martin (comdaily)
🚀 Roghmal Alami (Myfundus)
All finalists had qualified in earlier rounds and gave strong presentations in Düsseldorf.
The event was hosted by StartupDorf partner HEUKING, represented by Dr. Patrick Müller, who is also a member of the StartupDorf extended board. The law firm’s conference floor provided the perfect setting for the final.
The volunteer team led by Hanns Tappen, initiator and founding chairman of StartupDorf, conducted the evening’s program together with Eugenia Gagin, Florian Baum, Martin Boden, and Michail Kosak.
Another highlight was the talk with last year’s winner Felix Weiß (Wohnsinn.com) and the announcement of a new pitch format: Ninja Pitch – presented by Mandy Sun, recently appointed to the StartupDorf board. This new format, created in collaboration with WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, is now open for applications – as is the Unicorn Pitch 2026.
The evening concluded with a carefully curated selection of food, drinks, and deep conversations between founders, investors, members, and supporters of the ecosystem.
Our thanks go to:
🧑⚖️ The jury: Dr. Antonia Nörthemann (NRW.BANK), Klaudia Wilde (WHU), Ella Heising (TechHub.K67), Lisanne Metz (gradar)
🤝 Partners & sponsors: HEUKING, NRW.BANK, gradar as a serial sponsor and betawerke who also supported the event format during the whole pitch series 2024.
Thanks to all our supporters, ticket buyers, for example our Patron Ticket buyers like René Feicks, DGVO.
📸 Event photography: Manor Lux, LL.M.
You can find some comments here: LinkedIn StartupDorf
A little gallery:
🦄 The Unicorn Pitch Series 25/26 is starting in July
👉 Apply now: https://www.startupdorf.de/pitching/
