Record applications for EU Prize for Women Innovators 2022 as competition widens but gaps remain
- ›The ninth edition of the EU Prize for Women Innovators closed with a record 277 applications on 18 August 2022.
- ›Three winners in the Women Innovators category will receive EUR 100 000 each while three Rising Innovators under 35 will receive EUR 50 000 each.
- ›About three quarters of submissions went to the main Women Innovators category and one quarter to the Rising Innovators stream.
- ›Applicants came from 39 countries including 41 entries from EU13 states and 28 from Associated Countries such as Ukraine and Georgia.
- ›Evaluation runs September through November with finalists published in November and winners announced at the EIC Summit in December.
- ›The Women TechEU programme remains open until 4 October 2022 offering grants and acceleration to female-led deep tech startups.
Record applications for EU Prize for Women Innovators 2022
The ninth edition of the EU Prize for Women Innovators closed on 18 August 2022 with a record 277 applications. The prize, managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, attracted women founders and co-founders from across the European Union and countries associated to Horizon Europe. Organisers will award three top prizes in the Women Innovators category and three awards in a Rising Innovators stream aimed at younger founders under 35.
What the numbers show
Organisers reported a roughly three quarter to one quarter split between the Women Innovators category and the Rising Innovators category. Women from 39 different countries submitted applications. Notable geographic patterns include an increase in entries from the EU13 group of countries that joined the EU since 2004 and a material share of applicants from Associated Countries.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
| Total applications | 277 | Closed 18 August 2022 |
| Estimated split: Women Innovators | Approximately 3 out of 4 | Organisers describe it as roughly three quarters of applications |
| Estimated split: Rising Innovators | Approximately 1 out of 4 | Rising Innovators are under 35 |
| Number of countries represented | 39 | EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries |
| Applications from EU13 countries | 41 | Up from 23 the previous year |
| Applications from Associated Countries | 28 | Includes entries from Ukraine, Georgia and Western Balkans |
| Top source countries | France 37, Spain 32, Germany 22, Portugal 21 | Highest numbers of applications reported |
Prizes, categories and timetable
The prize structure keeps a clear cash component aimed at visibility and follow up. Three winners in the Women Innovators category will each receive EUR 100 000. To mark the European Year of Youth, three Rising Innovators under the age of 35 will each receive EUR 50 000. Eligible entries will be evaluated from September through November. A shortlist of finalists will be published in November and winners will be announced in December at the European Innovation Council Summit.
Why this matters and what it does not prove
A record number of applications is a positive signal of interest and awareness among women founders and rising innovators. It also suggests growing engagement with EU innovation instruments across a broader geographic footprint compared with previous years. The rise in applications from the EU13 countries is notable as it could indicate better outreach and awareness in member states that have historically been underrepresented in EU innovation awards.
However application volume is an imperfect proxy for structural change. A record entry count does not by itself demonstrate improved access to capital, reduced bias in investment, or greater retention and progression of women in high growth tech sectors. Large numbers can hide concentration effects. The four highest source countries together account for a large share of applications and the EU13 and Associated Countries submissions remain a minority of the total. The prize delivers one off cash awards and visibility, which are valuable, but systemic barriers to scaling and to equity investment remain and require sustained policy and ecosystem action.
How the prize fits EU policy on gender and innovation
Gender equality in research and innovation is an explicit priority for the European Commission and is embedded across Horizon Europe and related programmes. The Prize for Women Innovators was created in 2011 to raise awareness, provide role models, and highlight successful women entrepreneurs who have brought innovations to market. The Commission frames such awards as part of a broader strategy that includes gender equality plans, targeted funding lines and capacity building through entities such as the European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
Practical details and contacts
Eligible submissions will be evaluated between September and November 2022. Finalists will be announced in November and winners in December at the European Innovation Council Summit. For further information applicants can contact the prize organisers at EISMEA-WIP@ec.europa.eu. The prize is part of a portfolio of EIC activities designed to boost female entrepreneurship alongside Women TechEU and other commissioning actions under Horizon Europe.
While the record number of applications is a useful headline, policymakers and ecosystem actors should track what happens after the awards. Follow up matters such as whether winners secure additional investment, scale their businesses, and act as role models in measurable ways. Without robust follow up and sustained structural interventions, awards will remain valuable but limited tools in the long run.
Background on the prize
First launched in 2011 the EU Prize for Women Innovators was created to raise awareness of the need for more female entrepreneurs and to create role models for women and girls. The prize is awarded annually to women who have founded successful companies and brought innovations to market. The prize is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency and winners are chosen by an independent expert jury.