Awards ceremony
On 3 April 2025, at the EIC Summit in Brussels, the European Commission announced the winners of the 11th edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators. Managed jointly by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the prize recognises the invaluable role of women in driving transformative change and fostering innovation-driven growth in the European Union. Read more about the winners in three prize categories:
Women Innovators
Winner: Agnès Arbat (Spain) Agnès Arbat is the co-founder of Oxolife, a company developing innovative drugs to enhance fertility, with a focus on improving embryo implantation and simplifying infertility treatments. Agnès is Graduated in Medicine from the Autonomous University of Barcelona with a specialty in Clinical Pharmacology. She completed a General Management Programme at IESE Business School. She holds more than 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry (Organon and Bayer), the last 10 of which were at Bayer, leading the Women's Health and Cardiovascular medical team. With also 11 indexed international publications, more than 40 presentations at international conferences, more than 20 clinical studies led in women's health and more than 10 new products or indications launched, such as Xarelto (cardiovascular, $2,473M in 2022),Nexplanon (women’s health, $769M,2021), or Ventavis (rare diseases essential asset, $106M, 2022). She has been responsible for the clinical development and management of Oxolife since its foundation (2013). She is also Guest professor & mentor for the Master's in Pharmaceutical Industry and Biotechnology at UPF and UIC. Find out more about Agnès Arbat and her company in this video. |
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Second place: Rhona Togher (Ireland) Rhona Togher is the co-founder with Eimear O’Carroll of Lios, a company that has developed SoundBounce, a smart acoustic material that offers up to 4x more effective noise reduction in less space, being 40% lighter and 4 times thinner, with versatile applications across industries like construction, automotive, aerospace, and home appliances. Rhona Togher is an award winning physicist, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Lios, a company pioneering advanced materials for noise and vibration reduction. With a strong background in physics and over a decade of hands-on experience in acoustic innovation, Rhona is committed to creating a quieter, greener future through science and entrepreneurship. A champion for women in STEM and early stage innovation, she is a frequent speaker at conferences and panels across Europe and has received multiple accolades for her leadership and impact. Her work has been recognised by the European Patent Office, She Loves Tech and Hello Tomorrow. She studied Physics at University College Dublin and remains actively involved in materials research and product strategy at Lios. She is passionate about solving hard technical problems that have real world impact, particularly in the areas of environment, sustainability, and acoustic design. Find out more about Rhona Togher and her company in this video. |
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Third place: Fanny Bardé (France/Belgium) Fanny Bardé is the founder of SOLiTHOR, that develops next-generation solid-state batteries using a non-flammable, environmentally-friendly solid electrolyte. Dr. Fanny Bardé is a French entrepreneur living and working in Belgium. She holds a PhD Material Science degree from Picardie Jules Verne University in Amiens, France. When she left university, she worked for Duracell in Boston in America where she researched the development of Nikel-Zinc batteries. For 14 years, she was the Technical Manager for R&D – Advanced Technology at Toyota Motor Europe (TME) working on future battery technology for electromotive vehicles. She was also responsible for initiating and managing private as well as public funded projects with external parties and for coordinating internal trans-company battery projects. She prepared Toyota Europe’s battery roadmap and aligned it with the Toyota Global R&D roadmap. She went on to work at imec in Belgium where she managed the Solid-State Battery Programme. She supervised large commercially funded projects and coordinated SOLiDIFY, a complex, 14 partner European public funded project, securing 7.8 million euros. Find out more about Fanny Bardé and her company in this video. |
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Rising Innovators
Winner: Camille Bouget (France) Camille Bouget is the co-founder of Scienta Lab, an AI-powered platform developed to address the therapeutic needs of immuno-inflammatory diseases. She holds a PharmD degree from the University of Bordeaux (France), complemented by a Master’s in Marketing, Management & Digital from ESSEC Business School (France). Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in both medical sciences and strategic business management, preparing her for a dynamic career at the intersection of healthcare and innovation. Camille began her professional journey at Sandoz France, where she served as a Biosimilar Product Manager in Immunology, working on the launch of several drugs in Immunology and Inflammation. In this role, she gained hands-on experience in product lifecycle management and market access strategies within a competitive therapeutic area. Driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to bridge the gap between science and technology, Camille co-founded Scienta Lab in 2021 alongside her brother Vincent Bouget and Julien Duquesne. The start-up focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate precision medicine in immunology and inflammation a very familiar therapeutic area to Camille. As CEO, she is responsible for defining the company’s vision and strategy, leading operations, managing business development and commercial partnerships, and spearheading fundraising efforts. Find out more about Camille Bouget and her company in this video. |
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Second place: Claudine Adeyemi-Adams (United Kingdom) Claudine Adeyemi-Adams is the founder of Earlybird, an AI-powered platform that enhances employment support by engaging participants in voice-powered conversations, providing advisors with insights and recommendations to deliver more personalized assistance. She is a multi-award-winning former lawyer who read law at University College London and practised at Mishcon de Reya before moving in-house as Sole Legal Counsel at venture-backed startup, Wefarm. Passionate about social mobility, she spearheaded diversity and inclusion efforts and built and ran an employment support organisation providing opportunities for young adults from overlooked communities, earning a HM Government Recognition Award. She also previously founded and built CareerEar, a digital career support platform that helped thousands of career-seekers gain confidence and access opportunities. Now, as Founder & CEO of Earlybird, Claudine is at the forefront of leveraging AI and voice technology to transform the delivery of public services. Earlybird’s software empowers organisations delivering Government contracts - particularly those supporting people into work - to improve outcomes more efficiently. Earlybird is backed by Resolution Ventures, Impact Shakers, Innovate UK, the Mayor of London, and Google - Claudine was selected as one of just 15 founders across Europe for Google’s Black Founders Fund. Earlybird won Digital Solution of the Year 2024 at the Employability Awards. She sits on the AI Steering Committee at the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) and is a corporate affiliate member of IEP, driving conversations around AI’s role in the sector. She is also co-chair of the Employers’ Network for Equality and Inclusion (enei). Find out more about Claudine Adeyemi-Adams and her company in this video. |
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Third place: Héloïse Mailhac (France) Héloïse Mailhac is the co-founder of STH BIOTECH, a company that has developed SATIVITRO®, an in vitro bio-production platform that enhances the yield and accessibility of rare cannabinoids for pharmaceutical research through controlled bioreactor cultivation. As graduate of Sup’Biotech, a leading engineering school specialising in biotechnology, Héloïse has demonstrated a strong interest in innovation and entrepreneurship in life sciences from the early stages of her career. Her solid academic background, complemented by her participation in the HEC Paris Challenge+ program in 2022, allowed her to successfully transform advanced technical expertise into concrete entrepreneurial initiatives. In 2021, she co-founded STH BIOTECH with her associate Naomi Kaminsky, CTO, sharing the ambition of revolutionising the production of cannabis-derived active ingredients. By leveraging cutting-edge biotechnologies, she has driven the development of SATIVITRO®, a unique bioproduction platform designed to deliver reliable, pure, and pharmaceutical-grade compounds. This technology ensures the sustainable and consistent production of rare and potent therapeutic molecules, paving the way for significant breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. As new-generation biotech entrepreneurs, Héloise and Naomi wish to embody the fusion of scientific excellence, strategic vision, and disruptive innovation. Their journey exemplifies how a strong technical background, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to innovation can lead to tangible advancements in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, ultimately improving health and well-being on a global scale. Find out more about Héloïse Mailhac and her company in this video. |
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EIT Women Leadership
Winner: Débora Andreia Campelo Campos (Portugal) Débora Andreia Campelo Campos is the founder and CEO of AgroGrin Tech, which developed an innovative and eco-friendly process to transform the industrial fruit waste into functional food ingredients. Débora Campos is a scientist turned entrepreneur, a purpose-driven leader, and a visionary in the clean-label ingredient sector. She is the CEO and Founder of AgroGrIN Tech (AGT), a biotechnology company producing natural and multifunctional ingredients through the full upcycling of industrial side streams. With a PhD in Biotechnology and Food Science Engineering, Débora transitioned from academia to business, bridging research and industry to bring sustainable, science-backed solutions to market. She is proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, leading AGT to the forefront of the clean-label ingredient sector. Under her leadership, AGT is delivering innovative, functional solutions that meet the growing demand for healthier and more transparent food products. A resilient entrepreneur, Débora has built AGT from the ground up, securing funding, scaling production, and pushing the boundaries of biotechnology and sustainability. She is also an inspiring role model, committed to empowering women and young entrepreneurs to take bold steps in science and business. Find out more about Débora Andreia Campelo Campos and her company in this video. |
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Second place: Olesja Bondarenko (Estonia) Olesja Bondarenko is the co-founder and CEO of Nanordica Medical, which develops nanotechnology-based wound care products that help prevent infections and promote wound healing. Olesja has extensive international experience in research and development, along with a proven track record in building and leading global teams. Before co-founding Nanordica Medical, she was a PI of the scientific group at the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics studying nanoparticle safety and antimicrobial properties. She published over 30 peer-reviewed publications and served as a postdoctoral researcher in the world-class teams at Karolinska Institute (Sweden) and the University of Helsinki (Finland), where her work focused on the applications of nanoparticles in medicine and their interactions with human cells. Find out more about Olesja Bondarenko and her company in this video. |
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Third place: Elizabeth McGloughlin (Ireland) Elizabeth McGloughlin is the co-founder and CEO of Tympany Medical, whose variable angle endoscopy technology improves patient and healthcare system outcomes. Dr. Liz McGloughlin is the co-founder and CEO of Tympany Medical, a pioneering med-tech company based in Galway, Ireland. With a background in medicine, anaesthesia, and critical care, Liz has leveraged her extensive clinical experience to innovate in the field of ENT surgery. She led the development of Solascope, an advanced endoscope designed for sinus surgeries, which enables variable angle visualization and integrated cleaning. Liz holds a Master of Science in BioInnovation from NUI Galway and has built a significant funding record, patent portfolio, and product pipeline for Tympany Medical. As a mother to two girls, Liz balances her professional achievements with her family life. Her leadership and vision have positioned Tympany Medical at the forefront of surgical imaging technology, improving patient outcomes globally. Liz's dedication to translating clinical needs into innovative solutions exemplifies her commitment to advancing medical technology and enhancing healthcare delivery. Find out more about Elizabeth McGloughlin and her company in this video. |
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Jury Members
Josine Bakkes As a creative media strategist by training, Josine began her career working with well-known media agencies like DDB and MediaMonks, and brands like Uber and Red Bull. In 2016, she moved into the world of impact entrepreneurship. Her expertise lies in community-driven innovation, which forms the foundation of her Her work has strong roots in Austria, as Head of Social Impact at AustrianStartups and national representative of the Social Entrepreneurship Network Austria. Later, she founded the Regenerative Design Academy from the French Alps, where she lived for three years. Now based in Amsterdam, she co-founded Imaginal Cells, a youth-led movement using imagination as a catalyst for social change. She is a Horizon Europe Innovation Expert, a jury member for the EIC and World Summit Award, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper Alumni, lecturer, speaker and mentor. |
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Kave Bulambo Named as one of the voices of a new era of leaders by the Female Factor in 2024 and finalist in the category of most influential women in the Diversity and Inclusion Space in Germany in 2021, Kave Bulambo is a trailblazing pioneer on a mission to challenge the status quo around women and underrepresented groups in Tech. A TEDx Speaker and moderator Kave has built an extraordinary career in Talent Acquisition working with some of Europe's most innovative organizations in the technology industry. This experience coupled with her life journey led her to establish enterprises that center around building people up and cementing inclusion as a core part of business. She is the visionary behind BlackinTechBerlin, the first community of people of African descent in Tech in Germany. Next, she launched TalentDiverse, connecting diverse talent to excellent career opportunities with inclusive organizations. |
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Brian Cahill Brian Cahill, is the Managing Director of the Center for Cooperation and Career Management at the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts. He is also a member of the Learning and Skills Analytics Group at the Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology in Hannover. He was the Grant Manager of the COST Action CA19117 on Researcher Mental Health. He is a Member of the Board of the SciLink Foundation and was Chair of the MCAA from March 2016 to February 2018. In these roles, he engaged with early-career researchers on topics ranging from researcher career development, innovation, research funding, science communication, science policy, researcher pensions, research integrity, responsible research and innovation and many more. |
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Marta Echarri Senior executive with 20 years of international experience in the financial sector, focusing around digital transformation and technology-based projects. She is a results driven, collaborative, futuristic, academic, customer centric professional who is constantly looking for challenges. Her areas of expertise as a leader include: Growth and GTM Strategy, Product Marketing, PR & Comms and Public speaking, Sales, Business Development and Partnerships, Operations and Customer Care, Engagement and People's matters. Her executive leadership roles include experience in global listed banks such as Merrill Lynch, UBS, JPMorgan, where she spent 12 years, Western Union, as well as in PE and VC backed fintech N26. I consider myself a change agent driving innovation and culture transformation by empowering people to thrive in a transformational environment. She is committed to continuous learning. On this academic path, she teaches Fintech, Banking disintermediation and disruption in the financial industry at ISDI, Advantere, ICADE and IE Business School. She also participate as an expert speaker with global and local banks and financial services institutions such as Franklin Templeton, Caixa or JPMorgan. |
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Maria Engonga She is a project advisor at BIC Guadalajara, with over 14 years of experience in the innovation industry. She is a certified mentor, trainer, and coach with extensive experience in designing strategies for impactful change in the scaling of startups. Her expertise ranges from leading project management from its initial phase to scaling businesses, while contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Maria has played a key role in creating and coordinating significant startup acceleration and incubation programs, participating in European consortia and mentoring programs, and serving as a jury member in many of them. Among her achievements is obtaining monthly quality seals for technology-based companies. She is instrumental in connecting local and regional companies with powerful international innovation networks to create synergies. She is passionate about innovation and attracting young talent. Currently, Maria is an expert trainer for the Acceleration Programme for Women Entrepreneurs at BIC Africa |
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Gianluca Galletto Gianluca is an economist, an entrepreneur and an investor, specialising in urban tech and finance. His career spans three decades in tech, investment management and public policy. He is a former advisor to NYC’s mayor on innovation and foreign direct investments (FDI) and currently he leads DG Advisors supporting governments and businesses on global PPPs for smart & sustainable cities, innovation ecosystem building and international business development. Notable clients include New York City Mayor’s Office, Lendlease, Amundi, the World Bank, the Partnership for NYC, the European Commission, and several cities and companies. In 2023 he served as a judge for the European Capital of Innovation Award. He is also the founder of Sity, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting progressive innovation. His recent book, "Viva New York" (Paesi, 2023), with a foreword by the former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, provides practical lessons for cities and countries on building innovation ecosystems based on NYC’s successful experience. Gianluca served as Head of Commerce for the City of New York, focusing on tech industries, and drove innovation at the New York City Housing Authority. Before public service, he spent thirteen years in managerial roles at Muzinich & Co, a global investment firm managing $36B of assets. A global citizen, he is a sought-after thought leader, known for his passion about mentoring immigrant and women entrepreneurs, and advocating for sustainability. He's multilingual, with master’s degrees from Yale and Bocconi Universities. |
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Valentina Milanova Valentina Milanova is the founder and CEO of Daye, a pioneering company in the femtech industry dedicated to advancing gynaecological health through innovative products and clinical research. Her professional journey is deeply rooted in addressing gender disparities in medical research and product innovation. Milanova founded Daye to tackle gynaecological health issues with groundbreaking solutions. The company launched the world's first pain-relieving tampons in 2020, which have since been trusted by over 100,000 women in the UK, EU and US. Daye also offers diagnostic tampons for at-home screening of common vaginal infections, STIs, and HPV. Milanova's work includes the development of multiple patented medical devices. Her research has been published in reputable journals such as the Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders, The Journal of Molecular Sciences, and The Journal of Human Reproduction. |
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Elena Poughia Elena Poughia is the Managing Director of Dataconomy, one of the world's top 10 AI magazines and educational platforms, reaching 1.5 million readers per month. She is also the founder of Data Natives, Europe's largest data science and AI conference, held annually in Berlin. |
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Rui Serapicos Rui is an established entrepreneur with experience in international business, community, and ecosystem building. Rui believes in the power of research, deep technologies and decentralisation to deliver real-world impact for the world's global challenges. Rui Chairs the Portuguese Blockchain Alliance, and co-founded a Web3 Research Lab dedicated to delivering real-world social good from emerging technologies |
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Christopher Trunk Black A Danish serial entrepreneur and an experienced startup advisor and mentor to several Nordic startups and scaleups within different verticals, all while being a big supporter of helping female entrepreneurs succeed. |
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Simone Vecchi Dr. Simone Vecchi holds a degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and a Ph.D. in Cellular, Molecular, and Industrial Biology from the University of Bologna “Alma Mater Studiorum.” With extensive experience in drug product and drug substance development, Dr. Vecchi has made significant contributions to leading pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, GSK Vaccines, and Insudpharma. He currently serves as Associate Director of Drug Product Development Scientific Integrator and CMC Leader, at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines, where he oversees the end-to-end development of innovative drugs and overall CMC strategy. His expertise includes sterile Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing and the development of oral solid and sterile parenteral products across various therapeutic modalities. These modalities encompass small molecules, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and peptides, supporting innovative therapies, as well as generics and biosimilars development for various clinical phases and commercial manufacturing. |
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Stephanie von Behr Stephanie von Behr is a catalyst for business growth, a connector of people and ideas, and an expert in communication and strategy for startups. With over a decade of experience as a founder, operator, and mentor, she thrives at transforming complexity into clarity, scaling operations for sustainable growth, and forging strategic partnerships that fuel lasting impact. Most recently, Stephanie served as Managing Director of Founderland, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to closing the funding gap for women of color founders. Under her leadership, Founderland expanded to 26 countries, unlocking capital and reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape for underrepresented entrepreneurs across Europe. Currently, Stephanie leads Client Operations at ACE Alternatives, reimagining fund administration for investors through innovative, future-proof solutions that drive efficiency and long-term success. A BMW Foundation Responsible Leader and Ada Ventures Scout, she remains a fierce advocate for inclusion, innovation, and equity across the European startup ecosystem. |
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