15 finalists from 10 countries have been selected for the 2023 Social Innovation Tournament, the flagship initiative of the Institute’s Social Programme recognising and supporting Europe’s best impact entrepreneurs.
From innovative solutions such as enabling green hydrogen, detecting early dementia or inclusion in housing access to protecting cultural heritage, finalists aim to generate social, ethical, or environmental impact. They hail from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Malta (for the first time in the 12 editions of the SIT) Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands. The finalists were selected from an outstanding group of 284 candidates from 33 out of the 42 eligible countries.
A tailor-made training programme (a mentoring bootcamp, online coaching and rehearsal days) will provide the 15 impact ventures with the necessary guidance to finalise their proposals. This training will prepare them to present their solution before a jury of social innovation specialists from the academic and business worlds on 27 September (event by invitation only) and to the public on 28 September 2023 at the Spark Moments and Awards Ceremony (open event).
This year the final events will take place in Stockholm (Sweden).
Five prizes will be awarded: General Category and Special Category 1st and 2nd Prizes of €100 000 and €40 000, respectively, and an Audience Choice Award of €10 000. This year, the Special Category Prizes will go to projects addressing solutions for sustainable cities and communities.
Finalists from all SIT editions become members of the SIT Alumni Network. As such, they are able to benefit from numerous training opportunities and an innovation grants programme, and attend conferences around Europe, networking with investors, venture philanthropists and foundations that can help them scale their impact.
