A Spanish woman, winner of the EU Prize for Innovative Women 2020

The winners, chosen by a jury of independent experts, were announced at the European Research and Innovation Days, this year taking place entirely online. They are (in alphabetical order):

• 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.

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.