The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has announced the nominees for the 2025 EIT Awards, bringing together Europe’s brightest minds and most promising ideas
This year’s nominees represent a dynamic cross-section of changemakers, entrepreneurs, and research teams who are pushing boundaries in fields such as health technology, circular economy, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials, and sustainable urban mobility.
The awards are a celebration of the people and teams driving innovation within the EIT’s network. The EIT works through nine Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) that bring together education, research, and industry to fuel progress on significant societal challenges.
A global innovation network
Showing the global reach of the EIT Community, the 2025 nominees come from 12 countries: Estonia, Finland, France, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. These innovators show a wide range of impactful solutions that reflect the diversity and ambition of the EIT-supported ecosystem.
From AI-powered diagnostics and green mobility solutions to circular economy platforms and advanced recycling technologies, the nominees are already making a significant impact across various industries.
Their work demonstrates how innovation can be used to address global issues when supported by a collaborative framework.
Four award categories
The EIT Awards show excellence in four key categories:
- EIT Changemaker Award – Honouring individuals who drive significant social impact within and beyond the EIT Community.
- EIT Innovation Team Award – Celebrating collaborative teams that have developed a breakthrough product, service, or process with high added value.
- EIT Venture Award – Recognising start-ups that are solving societal challenges while showing strong market potential.
- EIT Public Award – Chosen by public vote, this award celebrates the community’s favourite finalist. Voting will open soon at eitawards.eu.
Each of the first three categories will be awarded €50,000 for first place, €30,000 for second place, and €20,000 for third place. The Public Award includes a single winner, giving the public a direct voice in supporting innovation.
The awards ceremony
The winners of the 2025 EIT Awards will be announced on 25 November 2025 during a high-profile ceremony in Budapest, Hungary. The event will feature live pitches from the finalists, networking opportunities, keynote speeches, and panel discussions on the future of innovation in Europe.
As well as the main awards, the ceremony will include two major side events:
- The EIT Jumpstarter Grand Finale – A showcase of early-stage innovators from moderate and emerging regions of Europe, helping them turn ideas into viable businesses.
- The EIT Red Kalyna Finals – An initiative dedicated to recognising Ukrainian women innovators who are shaping education, research, and entrepreneurship despite challenging circumstances.
Europe’s future innovators
The EIT Awards offer these innovators and researchers recognition while also providing them a platform to support and amplify innovators throughout Europe. By bringing together talent, funding, and mentoring, the EIT ecosystem ensures that promising ideas receive the backing they need to grow and succeed.
As Europe continues to invest in sustainable, inclusive innovation, the 2025 EIT Awards serve as a clear reminder of the impact that bold thinking and collaborative effort can achieve.
