EIT Innovation Awards 2025

Please note that registration is required only for those attending the event in person in Budapest. The livestream of the event can be followed on the EIT's YouTube channel on 25 November without registration.

Innovation is Europe’s most renewable resource – yet still underused. Talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not always within reach. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) changes this by linking ideas with impact, talent with markets, and emerging regions with established hubs. 

To celebrate the brightest innovators in Europe, we are pleased to announce EIT Innovation Awards 2025!

Join us for a day packed with:

• Inspiring pitches from Europe’s brightest innovators,

• Engaging keynotes and thought-provoking discussions,

• Valuable networking opportunities with the EIT Community, investors, startups, and policymakers.

At the EIT Innovation Awards, three flagship events are coming together for the first time:

1. The EIT Awards: celebrating excellence across four categories:

   • Most Promising EIT Changemaker: a leader whose activities create significant social impact.

   • Best Innovation Team: a diverse group pioneering a transformative product or service.

   • Most Promising Venture: a startup within the EIT Community showing strong growth potential.

   • Public Award: the community’s favourite innovation, chosen by public vote.

2. The EIT Jumpstarter Grand Finale: after a seven-month pre-acceleration programme, early-stage innovators from moderate and emerging regions compete for prizes of up to EUR 10 000 across seven categories: Energy, Food, Health, New European Bauhaus, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, and Rebuild Ukraine. Selection also takes place for EIT Jumpstarter Next, a track for alumni advancing validated ideas to market entry.

3. The EIT Red Kalyna Celebrations: recognising Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, and mentors who drive innovation and positive change, honouring groundbreaking products, solutions, and businesses that embody resilience and determination.

Together, these initiatives reflect the full circle of European innovation: no region left behind, every innovator recognised, no good idea unsupported. By connecting countries, sectors, and stages of development, the EIT acts as Europe’s bridge – from East to West, North to South, from the earliest pitch to global breakthrough.

The full day event will start with pitches of the EIT Jumpstarter finalists from 9 AM, with the main stage programme commencing at 11.20 AM (CET).