The countdown is on for potential applicants to the EU Prize for Women Innovators, with applications to the women entrepreneur awards closing 20 October.
Now in its third year, the EU Prize for Women Innovators was launched with the aim of raising public awareness of the need for more innovation and more women innovators, not just in Europe, but the world.
Open to women from any EU member state or a country associated with Horizon 2020, the prize can only be awarded to a woman who has founded or co-founded an active company with turnover of €100,000 or more.
The prizes at stake for some of Europe’s leading women entrepreneurs are high, with the first prize winner receiving €100,000 for their business, followed by €50,000 for second place and €30,000 for third place.
Launched back in March of this year, the final call for applicants is now just a week away and, after this deadline is finally reached, a high-level jury will evaluate and select the three winners, who will be announced in 2016.
Last year’s grand prize winner was Saskia Biskup, who is co-founder of the biotech company CeGaT, which helps to diagnose patients with rare diseases.
Speaking earlier in the year about the importance of initiatives such as this, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, said: “There may have been some improvement in recent years but, in Europe, female researchers and entrepreneurs remain a minority.
“Whether economically, intellectually or socially, we cannot afford to continue missing out on this vast pool of untapped talent. The EU Prize for Women Innovators recognises women entrepreneurs for their valuable achievements, inspiring both men and women alike.”
Women Invent is Silicon Republic’s campaign to champion the role of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. It has been running since March 2013, and is kindly supported by Intel, Open Eir (formerly Eircom Wholesale), Fidelity Investments, Accenture and CoderDojo.
Entrepreneur image via Shutterstock
