EU Prize for Women Innovators

Applications for the 2022 edition of the prize have now closed. We would like to thank all the women who applied this year in record numbers.

Applications will now be carefully examined by an independent expert jury. The shortlist of finalists will be announced in November 2022, and the winners will be revealed in December, at the EIC Summit.

The EU Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind game-changing innovations. In doing so, the EU seeks to raise awareness of the need for more women innovators, and create role models for women and girls everywhere.

The prize is awarded to the most talented women entrepreneurs from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, who have founded a successful company and brought innovation to the market. The prize is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, and the winners are chosen by an independent expert jury.

Discover last year’s winners and finalists

There are two prize categories:

• Women Innovators category: three prizes of EUR 100 000 each awarded to the most talented women innovators from across the EU and Associated Countries

• Rising Innovators category:  three prizes of EUR 50 000 each awarded to the most promising young innovators under 35

Eligible applicants can only apply to one category.

The prize is open to:

• Women (this prize celebrates women in all their diversity)
• Established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country
• Who have founded an innovative company registered at least 2 years before the call year

Those applying for the Rising Innovators category must be under 35. There is no age limit to apply for the Women Innovators category.

Eligible applications will be evaluated against 3 award criteria:

1. Breakthrough innovation – the company founded or co-founded by the applicant provides a truly innovative product or service in the EU market.

2. Impact – the product or service addresses a specific societal need or challenge, with significant benefits for people and/or planet.

3. Inspiration – the applicant has played a pivotal role in the success of the company, and considers themselves a role model for other women and girls.

Applications for the 2022 edition of the prize have now closed. Applicants can consult the following documents:

• Rules of contest
• Frequently asked questions

Increase in applications from 2019 to 2022

Split per category in 2022

Check the whole overview

Discover the winners of previous editions, and read their inspiring stories.

• 2021 edition
• 2020 edition
• 2019 edition
• 2018 edition
• 2017 edition
• 2016 edition
• 2011 and 2014 editions

For more information, please contact us at EISMEA-WIP@ec.europa.eu

You can also follow us on Twitter with the hashtag #WiPrizeEU.