• Madiha Derouazi (Switzerland), founder and CEO of Amal Therapeutics, a company developing therapeutic cancer vaccines.
• Maria Fátima Lucas (Portugal), co-founder and CEO of Zymvol Biomodeling, a company developing computer-designed industrial enzymes by applying molecular modelling.
• Arancha Martínez (Spain), co-founder and Managing Director of It Will Be. Her company helps tackle poverty through technological innovation, providing support to vulnerable women and children.

The three winners will all receive a €100,000 cash prize for their achievements.

The Rising Innovator 2020 prize, awarded to an exceptional innovator under the age of 35, goes to:

• Josefien Groot (Netherlands), co-founder and CEO of Qlayers. Her company is developing microstructures to boost the efficiency of wind turbines.

Ms Groot will receive a €50,000 cash prize for her achievements.

Commissioner Gabriel said:

“It is a great privilege to be in a position to recognize such exceptional innovators. Today we shine a spotlight on inspiring women who are leading the charge in bringing life-changing innovations to the market. It is my hope that with this prize, our winners will go on to inspire many other women to create innovative businesses in Europe.”

Three women, who the jury felt had stood out amongst the other finalists, received a ‘special mention’ prize for their achievements.

In the main category:

• Cécile Real (France), co-founder and CTO of Endodiag. Her company develops early diagnosis solutions for endometriosis, a disease affecting 180 million women worldwide.

In the Rising Innovator category:

• Ailbhe Keane (Ireland), founder and creative director of Izzy Wheels. Her company creates fashionable wheel covers for wheelchairs.
• Rebecca Saive (Germany), co-founder and CTO of ETC Solar, a company developing a micro metal 3D printing tool to improve the performance of solar cells.