Leading British entrepreneur nominated for EIT Awards

The EIT Awards ceremony will be held in Budapest on 15 October 2019 during the EIT’s annual Innovation Forum, INNOVEIT. The nominees represent the most promising graduates, entrepreneurs and innovators in Europe. Each nominee has been selected for tackling global challenges with ground-breaking innovations in the fields of climate, energy, digitalisation, food, health and raw materials. Their products and services are driving Europe’s ability to innovate and creating jobs and growth for Europe.

This year’s nominees come from Finland (1), France (2), Germany (5), Italy (1), Latvia (1), Netherlands (1), Norway (1), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Spain (1), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1), United Kingdom (1) and United States (1).

Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport responsible for the EIT, said: ‘I am pleased that the EIT Award nominees reflect the wide range of activities that the EIT is running across Europe. Given the challenges facing our society, it is more important than ever that we support the next generation of entrepreneurs. These nominees show that the EIT is offering talented, creative people a space where ideas can grow to become products and services benefiting all of Europe and its citizens.’

Dirk Jan van den Berg, Chair of the EIT Governing Board, added: "Through Europe’s largest innovation network, the EIT is breaking down barriers to power innovation across Europe. The EIT Awards show how we are accelerating the transition to a greener, healthier and more sustainable society helping to change the lives of citizens. I am proud that with the EIT we support talented innovators that create a better future for us, for Europe."

The 2019 EIT Awards nominees have been selected from the most successful graduates, entrepreneurs and innovators supported by the EIT Community as part of its drive to tackle global challenges. The 19 nominees compete in four categories: EIT CHANGE, EIT Innovators, EIT Venture, and EIT Woman. The 19 nominees will now go through to a final selection for the four awards. The finalists in each category will pitch their innovation on 15 October 2019 after which the winners of the five categories will be announced. Citizens will also be able to have their say by voting for their top innovation to win the EIT Public Award, with online voting starting on 02 September 2019.