Cellis, a Polish biotech startup, emerged as the highest winner on the 2024 Innovation Radar Prize for its transformative MDC platform, a sophisticated cell-based immunotherapy that reprograms the tumour microenvironment to beat drug resistance in a number of aggressive cancers. This expertise, recognised for its potential to reshape most cancers therapy, is a part of a brand new wave of high-impact improvements stemming from EU-funded analysis initiatives.
The Innovation Radar Prize, backed by the European Fee, is a part of the Innovation Radar Bridge venture—a sequence of occasions that connects Europe’s most promising innovators with influential traders and policymakers. Co-organised by Dealflow.eu and The Europas, this yr’s occasion offered a singular platform for startups to showcase high-potential applied sciences to a panel of distinguished traders and stakeholders from throughout Europe and past. As a part of the prize, this yr’s winners will take part on the EU-Startups Summit 2025 in Malta.
Class standouts in well being, sustainability, and nextgen tech
This yr’s awards recognised pioneering achievements throughout numerous sectors, together with Well being, Sustainability, and NextGen Tech. Estonian startup Gelatex obtained the Well being Award for its nanofiber expertise, which is revolutionizing functions in wound care and drug discovery. Spanish startup AEinnova received within the Sustainability class for its progressive, battery-free IoT units that harness industrial waste warmth, lowering environmental affect. Within the NextGen Tech class, quantum computing startup Qilimanjaro from Spain was celebrated for its Quantum Utility Particular Options (QASICs), a sensible quantum answer already delivering advantages to the business.
A decade of European innovation and funding
Reflecting on the tenth anniversary of the Innovation Radar Prize, Thijs Povel, Managing Accomplice of Dealflow.eu, emphasised the occasion’s function in spotlighting Europe’s most promising applied sciences and its profitable observe file in connecting innovators with precious sources and traders. Based on Povel: “It’s inspiring to see how the tenth version of the Innovation Radar Prize introduced collectively such a dynamic mixture of innovators and traders. The extent of corporations pitching was distinctive, reflecting the numerous efforts of the European Fee in supporting and financing Europe’s most promising startups. The continued drive from these younger corporations is proof of Europe’s functionality to guide globally in innovation.”
Povel highlighted how the occasion’s jury, which included a number of distinguished traders from each Europe and the U.S., confronted a difficult activity in deciding on winners from a various group of spectacular improvements. He famous that the collaboration between traders and innovators is pivotal for fostering a thriving European tech panorama and furthering Europe’s contributions to international technological developments.
A gathering of European innovators and traders
Held in Lisbon forward of the Net Summit, the Innovation Radar Prize occasion drew over 200 contributors, together with entrepreneurs, traders, and policymakers. The occasion was supported by Eura AG, Dealroom.co, Startup Lisboa, the European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA), EU-Startups, and Unicorn Manufacturing unit Lisboa. This gathering displays the significance of cross-border partnerships and networks that assist European startups scale their improvements on a worldwide stage.
As EU-supported startups like Cellis, Gelatex, AEinnova, and Qilimanjaro proceed to advance options with worldwide affect, the Innovation Radar Prize underscores Europe’s dedication to fostering cutting-edge expertise and strengthening its innovation ecosystem. By means of initiatives like this, the European Fee helps a brand new technology of tech-driven options which are poised to make a major social and financial affect.
Trying forward: Innovation Pulse in Vienna
The ultimate cease on this yr’s Innovation Radar Bridge Tour will likely be in Vienna with Innovation Pulse: Shaping Europe’s Startup and Coverage Future. This free occasion, set for November 29 at WeXelerate in Vienna, invitations EU-funded startups, traders, policymakers, and researchers to discover the way forward for Europe’s startup ecosystem. With a concentrate on constructing networks, aligning analysis with funding, and advancing deep tech, Innovation Pulse offers an important platform for these seeking to affect and strengthen Europe’s tech panorama. Register right here!
