Wuppertal celebrates creative female founders: KiddyTrip receives a grant!

Wuppertal celebrates creative female founders: KiddyTrip receives a grant!

There is great news in Wuppertal for the city's founders. On November 5, 2025, two talented female entrepreneurs were awarded the Wuppertal start-up and growth scholarship “W-stip”. Wuppertal.de reports that Anastasiia Borovyk is the founder of KiddyTrip, an innovative, browser-based platform that offers families the opportunity to experience interactive treasure hunts and city rallies. Spontaneous adventures without any app downloads or major preparations – that is the concept of KiddyTrip.

But it's not just Borovyk who can be happy. Aylin Bönneken is also supported by the scholarship; she has developed an impressive stretcher frame to make art more visible in public spaces. Their goal is to integrate art into everyday life while maintaining safety standards. The jury of the W-tec support association was convinced by the ideas of both founders, who now benefit from the scholarship.

Support offer and goals

The W-stip program, which supports regional founders with innovative ideas, offers monthly funding of 1,500 euros as well as participation in an accelerator program. The scholarship holders also receive individual advice and office space in the Wuppertal Technology Center.
The funding is initially scheduled for six months, but can be extended up to twelve months. Dr. Martin Hebler, the managing director of the technology center, emphasizes the importance of supporting innovative ideas in Wuppertal.

Wuppertal itself is a city with a rich history. Founded in 1929 by the merger of several districts, the city has developed into a lively center in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is known for its green spaces - at least two thirds of the city area are green spaces. The Wuppertal suspension railway, a unique means of transport, is also a trademark of the city and was opened in 1901. The city has a population of approximately 355,000 people and a diverse community with influences from many cultures, including Turkish, Syrian and Italian. Wuppertal has established itself as an important location for education and innovation and is home to various educational institutions, including the Junior University, which trains young people in the natural sciences.

Networking and innovation

In addition to the scholarships, there are a variety of events in Wuppertal that strengthen the startup ecosystem. The Startup Center at the University of Wuppertal regularly organizes pitch events where founders can present their ideas. At the last pitch finale, a total of 5,500 euros in prize money could be won and afterwards there was the opportunity for networking with cold drinks and finger food. This not only promotes exchange and inspiration, but also brings a breath of fresh air into the local startup scene. Startup Center regularly invites anyone interested to these events.

With initiatives such as the W-stip program and the active support of startups, Wuppertal shows that there is great potential for innovative business ideas. This is not only reflected in today's award winners, but also enriches the entire cityscape.