European Prize for Women Innovators 2026 celebrates visionary women
EITThe European Commission has announced the winners of the European Prize for Women Innovators, jointly managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
The awards were presented today at the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit in Brussels and recognise the achievements of women entrepreneurs whose innovations are driving progress and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. This year’s finalists are advancing innovation across healthcare, sustainability, space technology and digital traceability, demonstrating the impact of women-led entrepreneurship on Europe’s innovation landscape.
The European Prize for Women Innovators recognises the bold ideas and leadership of women who are transforming innovation into real-world impact. This year’s finalists and winners show how entrepreneurship and diversity go hand in hand in strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity. Their achievements are an inspiration for the next generation of innovators across Europe.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation,
The prize recognises winners and runners-up across three categories:
EIC Women Innovators
The EIC Women Innovators category honours exceptional women founders and co-founders from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The winner receives €100 000, while the two runners-up receive €70 000 and €50 000 respectively.
- Winner: Katerina Spranger (Ukraine/UK), founder and CEO of Oxford Heartbeat, harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance the safety and precision of brain aneurysm treatments.
- Second place: Elena Heber (Germany), co-founder and Managing Director of HelloBetter, expanding access to mental health care through clinically validated digital therapies and AI-driven solutions.
- Third place: Judit Camargo Sanromà (Spain), founder and CEO of Roka Furadada, tackling the growing threat of skin cancer with eco-friendly cosmetic ingredients that deliver high-performing UV protection while safeguarding marine ecosystems.
EIC Rising Innovators
The EIC Rising Innovators category recognises promising young women innovators under the age of 35. The winner receives €50 000, while the two runners-up receive €30 000 and €20 000 respectively.
- Winner: Marta Oliveira (Belgium), co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of ATMOS Space Cargo, enabling reusable space capsules to safely return materials from orbit and unlock new research opportunities.
- Second place: Judit Giró Benet (Spain), founder of The Blue Box, developing a non-invasive urine-based test to improve early breast cancer detection, particularly for women underserved by traditional screening methods.
- Third place: Carin Lightner (Switzerland), co-founder and CEO of Enantios, accelerating drug discovery through faster and more precise analysis of complex molecules, paving the way for next-generation medicines.
EIT Women Leadership
The EIT Women Leadership category recognises exceptional members of the EIT Community. The winner receives €50 000, while the two runners-up receive €30 000 and €20 000 respectively.
- Winner: Ella Frances Cullen (Portugal), co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Minespider, revolutionising supply chain transparency through a blockchain- and AI-powered platform that delivers digital product and battery passports while promoting sustainability and compliance.
- Second place: Stefania Raimondo (Italy), co-founder of Navhetec, advancing plant-based nanomedicine by extracting bioactive particles from citrus juice to develop high-efficacy health products with novel functionalities.
- Third place: Neide Vieira (Portugal), co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of IPLEXMED, accelerating the diagnosis of infectious diseases through graphene-based biosensors that enable portable, rapid and lab-grade testing.
Background
The European Prize for Women Innovators highlights the vital contribution of women entrepreneurs to Europe’s innovation ecosystem and long-term competitiveness. Now in its 12th edition, the prize celebrates women whose disruptive innovations are delivering tangible benefits for society and the planet. It also aims to inspire more women and girls to pursue careers in innovation, science and entrepreneurship.
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