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JA Europe Innovation of the Year – University Level

University

About the award

The JA Europe Innovation of the Year Award recognises student start-ups that developed the most innovative businesses and business solutions with real future investment potential. The jury will nominate 1st, 2nd and 3rd place place in the JA Europe Start Up Innovation of the Year 2026 Award.

How winners are chosen

Judging criteria

Innovation and Value Creation 30%:

  1. How well is the business problem and opportunity clearly defined?
  2. How does the solution fulfill a customer need, has resonance and desirability?
  3. How impactful is the proposed solution on society & human lives (social, ethical and environmental issues)?

Market and Competition 30%:

  1. Did the team clearly identify the target market and the market potential of their product/service?

  2. Did the team show an understanding of their competition and their product/service differentiation in relation to them?

Finances 15%:

  1. How compelling is the business model (realistic and viable)? How reasonable are the financial projections?

Management & Team 15%:

  1. Does the team exhibit the experience and skills required for operation? Has the team managed to recruit advisors when needed?

Ability to Demonstrate Achievements in Learning 10%:

  1. To what extent are team members able to reflect on competence development (creativity, self-efficacy, taking initiative, teamwork, resourcefulness, perseverance, taking responsibility)?

Meet the jury

Judges

Andrew Coiley

Strategic Communications Manager, Industry & Innovation, European Climate Foundation

Jonas Alexandersson

CEO & Founder, Kuorolab.ai

Malthe Ludvigsen

Owner of Malthe Invest

Marjolein Nijhuis

Founder Plus Projects / member of EO

Marta Lucia Carneiro Enes

Impact Fund Director at Schneider Electric

Thelma Matuk

Interim CEO and Transition Director at EIT Health

Wided Trifi

Customer Success Manager, Salesforce​

Katrina Zarina

CEO, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Kim Balle

Customer Success Manager, Salesforce

2026 Winner Spotlight

1 Place

LIVIA

Cyprus

LIVIA is a space-enabled agricultural intelligence platform that combines Earth Observation satellite data, autonomous drones, artificial intelligence, and digital twin technology to help farmers…

Meet the team
2 Place

VitisIno

Türkiye

VitisIno turns winery by-products into premium, variety-specific functional ingredients. Every harvest leaves grape pomace behind — rich in polyphenols, fiber and antioxidants, yet mostly discarded,…

Meet the team
3 Place

Smart4Leak

Luxembourg

Smart4Leak aims to detect leaks in infrastructure networks using sensor-based monitoring and analysis.

Meet the team