[Brussels, 13 March 2015]
For the third time, the European Commission has launched the application for the EU Prize for Women Innovators!
Created in 2011, this award aims at giving public recognition to brilliant female entrepreneurs who brought their innovative ideas to the market. According to the co-founder of CEGAT-GMBH and winner of the first prize last year Dr Saskia Biskup, the innovation domain is no longer “a man’s world” and the number of women entrepreneur is constantly growing. However women stay underrepresented in science and entrepreneurship careers, this is why the Commission has set up this prize. The commissioner Carlos Moedas confirms that: “I will also be particularly vigilant on the gender dimension not just because this is a question of fairness, but because we cannot to waste any talent “.
Aside from highlighting women and recompense them for their outstanding work, this prize’s objective is also to inspire other women and to encourage them to believe in their ideas and start their own company.
Who can participate in the contest?
– Women who have founded or co-founded their company, who have registered it before 1 January 2013 and have had an annual turnover of at least EUR 100 000 in 2013 or 2014
– Women who have once benefitted from the EU’s research framework programmes, the EURATOM Framework Programme, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) or actions relating to research and innovation under the European Structural and Investment Funds
– Women resident of an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation programme
How to apply?
– Read the Contest Rules
– Read the Application Guide
– Go to the participant portal
– Submit until 20 October 2015 (12:00 – Brussels time)
Three prizes will be awarded in Spring 2016 by an independent panel of judges from business and academia:
– First prize: 100 000€
– Second prize: 50 000€
– Third prize: 30 000€
The last message:
“If you don’t leave your comfort zone, you will never progress!” – Ana Maiques, the co-founder of STARLAB and winner of the third prize 2014
Make things happen!
