iCapital 2021: semi-finalists, process and what the prize actually rewards

The European Innovation Council announced on 2 September 2021 the 16 semi-finalists for the seventh edition of the European Capital of Innovation Awards, commonly known as iCapital. The list covers cities across ten countries and is split into two categories. The award is supported by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe and aims to recognise cities that show evidence of a developed and multi-faceted innovation ecosystem that supports game-changing innovation.

Semi-finalists by category

A high-level independent jury selected the semi-finalists. The selection at this stage signals that these cities have presented practices the jury considers noteworthy. Being a semi-finalist brings visibility and access to a peer network but is not in itself a guarantee of long term support or impact.

What happens next in the competition

Each semi-finalist will take part in a private hearing with jury members in October 2021. The hearings are remote and subject to strict rules that let cities present their application and answer jury questions tied to the award criteria. From the semi-finalists the jury will shortlist three finalists per category. Winners and runners-up will be announced at the European Innovation Council Summit on 24 and 25 November 2021.

What the award looks for and why it matters

iCapital is intended to identify urban ecosystems that successfully connect public authorities, citizens, academia and industry to improve citizens' wellbeing and to catalyse transformative innovation. The prize highlights experimentation, ecosystem building and the scaling or replication of tested solutions. In practice, the impact of the recognition depends on how cities leverage the award and follow up with concrete policy and investment choices.

Context, history and background

The 2021 call for iCapital closed on 15 July 2021 and received 39 applications from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The prize is one of the EIC Prizes under Horizon Europe. The iCapital award started in 2014. Past winners named by the EIC up to 2021 include Barcelona (2014), Amsterdam (2016), Paris (2017), Athens (2018), Nantes (2019) and Leuven (2020).

Official comment

Mariya Gabriel, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, commented that many European cities are placing innovation at the core of recovery and growth strategies after a challenging period. She said she looks forward to rewarding the best examples of how cities shape local innovation ecosystems to capitalise on scientific excellence, collective intelligence and creativity.

Why journalists and policy watchers should follow this

iCapital functions as a spotlight on urban innovation. Tracking semi-finalists and finalists can reveal which policy models are gaining traction across Europe, which local-private-academic partnerships are scaling, and which investment mechanisms cities use to translate pilots into services. Observers should watch whether winners convert recognition into measurable outcomes such as jobs, new firms, public service improvements and replication in other municipalities.

At the same time, it is important to temper enthusiasm with questions about methodology, measurement and equity. Which cities get attention and funding and why? How is success measured beyond media coverage? Prize schemes can shape agendas. They can also favour visibility over substance when monitoring and evaluation are weak.

Practical information and contacts

Winners and runners-up will be announced at the EIC Summit on 24-25 November 2021. All semi-finalists are invited to join an alumni network of pioneering cities. For more information the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency provide the official contest documentation and contact channels through the EIC website.