European Prize for Women Innovators: celebrating women's outstanding contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe

Today, the Commission announced the winners and runners-up of the 10th edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators. The women are inspiring future generations of innovators and highlight the importance of diversity and gender equality in driving Europe's innovation agenda forward.

Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:

This edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators marks ten years of celebrating women who are leading the way in innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. My warmest congratulations to all winners and runners-up. Their groundbreaking ideas, passion and determination inspire us all and remind us of the importance of fostering gender balance in Europe's innovation landscape.

The 10th edition of the prize showcases the remarkable achievements of winners and runners-up across three categories:

1) Women Innovators, for all women founders and co-founders across the EU Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe:

Winner: Rana Sanyal (Türkiye), Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of RS Research, which develops smart nanomedicines for targeted chemotherapy.

Runners-Up: 

• Natalia Tomiyama (Germany), Managing Director and Co-Founder of NÜWIEL, which develops e-trailers that can match the movement of the pedestrian or biker pulling it.
• Elena García Armada (Spain), CEO and Co-Founder of Marsi Bionics, which develops paediatric exoskeletons and robotic knees.

2) Rising Innovators, for promising young women innovators under the age of 35:

Winner: María González Manso (Spain), Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of tucuvi, which automates follow-up phone consultations with empathetic artificial intelligence.

Runners-Up:

• Sara Correyero Plaza (Spain), CEO and Co-Founder of IENAI SPACE, which develops electric propulsion modules for nanosatellites together with mission optimisation.
• Bàrbara Oliveira (Ireland), CTO and Co-Founder of Luminate Medical, whose technology helps prevent the side effects of cancer treatment.
• Eva Sadoun (France), CEO and Co-Founder of Lita.co, which makes it easier to invest in social enterprises.

3) EIT Women Leadership, for exceptional members of the EIT Community:

Winner: Yuliia Bialetska (Ukraine), Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of S.lab, which develops alternatives to plastic foam packaging.

Runners-Up:

• Deniz Ficicioglu (Germany), Managing Director and Co-Founder of BettaF!sh GmbH, which develops seaweed-based alternatives to fish.
• Cristina Purtill (Ireland), CEO of Plio Surgical, which developed a magnetic solution to intestinal post-surgery recovery.

Managed jointly by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the European Prize for Women Innovators underscores the invaluable role of women in driving transformative change and fostering innovation-driven growth in the European Union. This milestone year marks ten years of honouring exceptional women who have driven innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe.

Background

The European Prize for Women Innovators is awarded to women from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet.

The prize is managed jointly by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Institute for Innovation & Technology (EIT). The winners are chosen by an independent expert jury.

There are three prize categories:

• The Women Innovators category, awarded to the most talented women innovators from across the EU and Associated Countries. The winner is awarded EUR 100 000, and two runners-up are awarded €70 000 and €50 000 respectively;
• The Rising Innovators category, awarded to promising young innovators under the age of 35. The winner is awarded €50 000, and two runners-up are awarded €30 000 and €20 000 respectively;
• The EIT Women Leadership category, awarded to exceptional women leaders from the EIT Community. The winner is awarded €50 000, and two runners-up are awarded €30 000 and €20 000 respectively.

More information

EU Prize for Women Innovators 2023-2024 winners page

Contact: EISMEA-WIPec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EISMEA-WIP[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)