The European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) have launched a new European Prize for Women Innovators to celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs who have created a positive impact for people and the planet. The aim of this joint initiative is to reach a wider community of women innovators, offering them an opportunity to network while increasing the presence of women in leadership roles in the business and technology sectors.
A study by the EIT revealed that women-founded tech scale-ups grew 1.2 times faster than their competitors over the past five years, showing how gender inclusivity also unlocks Europe’s potential for innovation. In order to make an effective contribution in this direction, the European Prize for Women Innovators involves a total of nine awards, three in each of the following categories:
• Women Innovators, open to all women who have founded or co-founded a company in the European Union and Associated Countries. The prizes to be won are worth 100,000, 70,000 and 50,000 euros;
• Rising Innovators, for promising young innovators under the age of 35. The three prizes are worth 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 euros;
• EIT Women Leadership, open to those with a direct link to the EIT Community or one of the existing Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Also in this category, the awards to be won are worth 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 euros.
The winners will be announced at the European Innovation Council Summit in March 2024. It is possible to apply until 27 September 2023 for the three categories via the Funding and Tenders portal.
