The European Commission has announced the winners of the 12th edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators during the European Innovation Council Summit in
Brussels. The award recognises outstanding women entrepreneurs whose innovations are shaping the future of Europe’s economy and strengthening its global competitiveness.
This year’s finalists showcased a wide range of breakthroughs—from healthcare and sustainability to space technology and digital supply chain transparency—highlighting the growing impact of women-led innovation across Europe.
The prize is organised under the umbrella of Horizon Europe and jointly supported by the European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. It is awarded across three categories, each designed to spotlight different stages of innovation and leadership.
EIC women innovators
This category recognises exceptional women founders and co-founders from EU Member States and associated countries participating in Horizon Europe.
Winner: Katerina Spranger (Ukraine/UK), founder and CEO of Oxford Heartbeat, developing AI tools that improve the safety and precision of brain aneurysm treatments.
2nd place: Elena Heber (Germany), co-founder and managing director of HelloBetter, expanding access to mental health care through clinically validated digital therapies and AI-driven solutions.
3rd place: Judit Camargo Sanromà (Spain), founder and CEO of Roka Furadada, creating eco-friendly UV protection ingredients aimed at reducing skin cancer risk while protecting marine ecosystems.
EIC rising innovators
Focused on promising women innovators under 35, this category highlights emerging leaders in deep tech and science-driven entrepreneurship.
Winner: Marta Oliveira (Belgium), co-founder and COO of ATMOS Space Cargo, developing reusable space capsules for returning materials from orbit to Earth.
2nd place: Judit Giró Benet (Spain), founder of The Blue Box, working on a non-invasive urine-based test for early breast cancer detection.
3rd place: Carin Lightner (Switzerland), co-founder and CEO of Enantios, accelerating drug discovery through advanced molecular analysis tools.
EIT women leadership
This category celebrates outstanding women within the EIT community driving innovation in industry and society.
Winner: Ella Frances Cullen (Portugal), co-founder and CMO of Minespider, building blockchain and AI solutions for supply chain transparency and digital product passports.
2nd place: Stefania Raimondo (Italy), co-founder of Navhetec, advancing plant-based nanomedicine using bioactive compounds derived from citrus.
3rd place: Neide Vieira (Portugal), co-founder and COO of IPLEXMED, developing graphene-based biosensors for rapid, portable infectious disease diagnostics.
Background and purpose
The European Prize for Women Innovators is jointly managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Now in its 12th edition, the award highlights the essential role of women entrepreneurs in building Europe’s innovation ecosystem and long-term economic resilience.
Beyond recognising achievement, the prize aims to inspire more women and girls across Europe and associated countries to pursue careers in science, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation—helping to shape a more inclusive and competitive future for the continent.