MH Innovates 2026
Innovating for impact
Cleaner mobility, cleaner air, cleaner water and cleaner performance & industry — these are the outcomes we strive for at MANN+HUMMEL. We collaborate in a 50 billion US$ market to drive these solutions forward.
Every breakthrough begins with a challenge: How can we do better?
At MANN+HUMMEL, we believe innovation is strongest when minds, visions, and actions connect. MH Innovates 2026 is our invitation to think boldly and collaborate freely — bringing together employees, customers, start-ups, partners, and suppliers to co-create solutions for a cleaner, smarter, more sustainable world.
What MH Innovates 2026 is about
MH Innovates 2026 is a global open innovation initiative to crowdsource impactful solutions that address real-world challenges in mobility, air, water, and industry.
Your solution could redefine how we breathe, move, and power the world.
Whether you’re an existing partner, supplier, start-up, researchers or customer — if you believe your solution can make a difference, this is your platform.
We’re looking for breakthrough solutions that:
- Address our focus areas across business, from technology and materials to digitalization, sustainability, and new business models
- Combine technology, data, and collaboration for smarter, more connected solutions
- Create measurable impact for people, industries, and the environment
Where can you make an impact?
MH Innovates 2026 invites you to tackle real-world challenges across eight key focus areas. Each category represents a unique set of opportunities — choose the one that best aligns with your solution to ensure it reaches the right experts and teams.
Why join the challenge?
Innovation thrives when solutions meet opportunity. MH Innovates 2026 gives you the platform to turn your solutions into real-world impact — backed by the expertise, scale and purpose of MANN+HUMMEL.
The winner(s) earn the chance to secure a commercial contract of up to €30,000, gain recognition through our global network, and help solve sustainability challenges that improve lives while enabling cleaner mobility, air, water, and industry.
- Rewards & Opportunity
- Recognition & Visibility
- Real-World Impact
Roadmap & Timeline
Every solution deserves a clear path forward. Follow the milestones that will shape MH Innovates 2026.
Please note that the timeline and milestones are subject to change at MANN+HUMMEL’s discretion and may be updated without prior notice.
February – June 2026
July – August 2026
September – October 2026
October 2026 onwards
Judging criteria
All submissions will be assessed using six key criteria:
| Criteria | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Desirability | Do customers or end-users truly want or need this solution? Is this a benefit that they are willing to pay for? |
| Scalability | Can the solution grow and be applied across different markets or regions? Is it repeatable and sustainable? |
| Profitability | Does the solution have the potential to generate value or financial return? What is the revenue model? |
| Unfair advantage | Does the solution offer a unique edge that competitors can't easily copy? What is the license to win? |
| Market size | Is there a significant market or opportunity for this solution to make an impact? Is the problem big enough to worth solving? |
| Level of validation | Has the solution been tested, researched, or supported by data or early feedback? |
Innovation in our DNA
With more than 20,000 employees worldwide and 1,000+ dedicated to research and development, our strength lies in a spirit of partnership — uniting expertise, creativity, and commitment to make filtration smarter every day.
Filtration is not just our business — it’s our responsibility.
FAQs — Everything you need to know
- Any solution that creates measurable impact for MANN+HUMMEL — whether it drives sustainability, opens new business potential, or solves a real-world challenge within our focus areas. Solutions that have been validated or demonstrated in real-world settings are always welcome, but we encourage submissions at any stage of development. Providers can range from start-ups and scale-ups to those with commercial-ready products. All innovators with impactful ideas are invited to participate.
- Complete the submission form, select the most relevant category for your submission, and attach any supporting documents and/or presentations.
- Yes. You’re welcome to submit multiple solutions, each aligned to the theme that fits best.
- Each submission undergoes two rounds of evaluation — first by an AI-powered review agent, then by a panel of MANN+HUMMEL experts from the relevant field. Shortlisted participants will advance to Demo Day.
- What if my submission is selected? Winning team(s) stand a chance to receive a commercial contract of up to €30,000 and/or the opportunity to partner their solution with MANN+HUMMEL — turning vision into implementation on a global stage. All awards and partnerships are subject to final discussion and agreement.
- Please email your withdrawal request to MHInnovates@mann-hummel.com before the program end date.
Contact
We look forward to hearing your innovation!
If you have any further questions, please contact us.
By submitting your information, you agree to our MANN+HUMMEL Privacy Policy, the Ideanote Privacy Policy and the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (Singapore), including consent for processing your data for the MH Innovates campaign, communication purposes, and overseas transfers to the EU and Singapore. Terms and conditions of the program apply.