Author: StartupEuropeAwards

• In its more than 10 years of operation, Finnova reaffirms its continued commitment to entrepreneurship through its open innovation methodologies, its active projects and initiatives, and its advice and support to entrepreneurs to access EU funding.
•  Finnova invites entrepreneurs to continue working for a brighter future through OPEN CALLS for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• In the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2023, Finnova will develop spaces that identify, reward and accelerate entrepreneurs and startups whose work is carried out taking into account the priorities of the 2030 Agenda.

On 16 April we celebrated this special date to recognise entrepreneurship as a powerful force for positive change in the world, the drive for innovation and economic growth. From Finnova, we pay tribute to all those who have used their creativity and passion to innovate in their communities and ecosystems. Their ideas and efforts are transforming the world!

“At Finnova, we believe in the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to solve our society’s most pressing challenges,” explains Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova. “Our open innovation methodologies add to the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe. We have supported more than 1,500 entrepreneurs and startups since 2011, providing funding and resources through programmes such as Horizon 2020, the European Regional Development Fund and the EU’s LIFE Programme.”

As a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, Finnova is dedicated to working for the constant pursuit of business innovation and applied knowledge excellence by developing talent and connecting it internationally and inter-regionally. To do so, it promotes multiple networks and high-level events with the purpose of seeking European resources and funding related to technology transfer, modernisation and competitive development of public and private entities, SMEs and startups at all scales at international, regional and local level.

Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in start-ups and business support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and selection and award ceremonial events. The Foundation has participated and/or mentored 27 projects with the Seal of Excellence, a quality label awarded to project proposals that have applied for funding from HORIZONTE2020, the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Year 2023

2023 will be the European Year of Skills, which will mean increased investment and focus on education, training and digital skills. The aim is to improve and accelerate the recognition of qualifications in Europe for skilled professionals from abroad. As European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said, “We need to invest much more in education and lifelong learning. To do this, we want to work closely with companies. Because they know best what professionals they need today and what professionals they will need tomorrow. And we need to reconcile better these needs with the objectives and desires of the job seekers themselves in terms of their career path”.

Furthermore, in 2023, Spain will once again hold, for the fifth time, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2023, between the 1st of July and the 31st of December. The Spanish Presidency in 2023 will take place in the last part of the European institutional cycle, before the European Parliament elections scheduled for May 2024 and the subsequent appointment of a new Commission. Consequently, Spain will have a particular responsibility to complete negotiations on a large number of open dossiers in the Union’s main lines of work: ecological transition, digital transformation and the social agenda. Likewise, the initiatives promoted by Spain will have an impact on the next European cycle. The Presidency of the Council of the Union is an exercise in participation in European integration that goes beyond the General State Administration and should involve the Spanish Parliament, the Autonomous Communities and Local Authorities, the academic world and civil society.

FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In the latest report of the Observatory of Entrepreneurship in Spain (also known as RED GEM Spain), recent entrepreneurial activity has recovered to a rate of 5.5% of the population, a similar percentage to that recorded before the health crisis broke out, and has done so despite an upturn in business abandonment (2.2%).

In addition, the percentage of people with the intention of starting a business in the next three years has increased to almost 10% of the population, as has the percentage of women involved in entrepreneurial initiatives less than three and a half years old (5.6%), a higher percentage than that of men (5.4%).

In line with these statistics, Finnova supports women entrepreneurs with two types of programmes. On the one hand, women innovators through the Women4tech programme, which was created to support innovation, disruptive projects and public-private partnerships for women. Currently, the deadline is open to welcome new partners who want to join this initiative of women’s projects to support female entrepreneurship.

Registration HERE:

In another dimension and to attract new talent, we work under the umbrella of Girls4tech, which was created to support and propose projects aimed at young people to sow seeds and skills for entrepreneurship and innovation. Support for training, generation of skills and dissemination of STEM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) aimed at girls and boys aged 8 to 18.

OPEN INNOVATION METHODOLOGIES

Currently more than 30 organisations across Europe are part of Finnova’s open innovation partnerships, which have recognised more than 80 European startups.

One of these open innovation methodologies is the Startup Europe Awards, an initiative of the European Commission to connect high-tech startups, scaleups, investors, accelerators, corporate networks, universities and media. Startup Europe Awards is a methodology of DG CONNECT of the European Commission implemented by the Finnova Foundation that has traditionally had the institutional support of the European Parliament, the European Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee since 2016. SEUAs are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. In addition to generating alliances that help to meet the SDGs of the United Nations and the actions of the European Green Pact, thus contributing to the circular economy, the fight against climate change and sustainable tourism.

On the other hand, the STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATOR methodology is a package of services aimed at offering a ‘second level acceleration programme’ from a European perspective. The aim is to help startups and young entrepreneurs overcome barriers to innovation through a European platform of funding, mentoring, networking and the inclusion of other customised services specific to each project. It is the first acceleration programme specially designed to bring the European Commission’s programmes and resources to start-ups and entrepreneurs to foster innovation projects, especially in the areas of eco-innovation, social innovation, technological solutions or ICT, renewable energies, smart and sustainable cities, environment, tourism and creative industries.

EUROPEAN AWARD FOR BUSINESS PROMOTION EEPA

One of the foundation’s major recognitions in entrepreneurship was in 2021 at the 15th edition of the prestigious European Enterprise Promotion Awards EEPA at the gala “European Enterprise Promotion and Small and Mid-Caps Award” recognised and rewarded the CILIFO project, led by the Junta de Andalucía and co-organised by Finnova, with the European award in category 4: “Support for the internationalisation of companies”.

An award with which the European Commission in partnership with the Committee of the Regions recognises initiatives that exceptionally support entrepreneurship, foster entrepreneurship and raise awareness of the role of startups, SMEs and enterprises.

ENTREPRENEURS WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WANTED

Finnova invites entrepreneurs to continue working for a brighter future through innovation and entrepreneurship.

We encourage you to register for the OPEN CALLS of the Startup Europe Awards, which aim to promote the identification of startups with innovative solutions to SDG challenges and to support their projects and ideas to be implemented for the benefit of society as a whole, generating a public-private partnership that leads to access to funding from European Union funds.

OPEN CALLS HIGHLIGHTS:

LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 STARTUP EUROPE AWARDS: 

Innovative startups and SMEs capable of solving current challenges in the area of Waste Reduction, specifically in the improvement of biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP). Closing date for entries: 31st July 2023.

The awards will be presented on the 20th and 21st of September in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities to be held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA).

HIBA STARTUP EUROPE AWARDS:

Innovative startups and SMEs capable of solving current challenges in the area of agro-digitalisation. Closing date for entries: 19th May 2023.

The winners will be announced on the 6th of June 2023 in an event organised in the framework of Green Week.

More information HERE.

The winners will benefit from a European acceleration ticket, consisting of mentoring and training in European funds through e-learning courses. They will also have access to a networking network in the framework of the EU and the internationalisation of projects. Finally, they will be offered guidance on European funding and advice on how to turn the winning idea or proposal into a European project.

Find out about all the Open Calls you can apply for here:

 http://startupeuropeawards.eu/

Happy World Entrepreneurship Day!

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) are an initiative of the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a strong proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

• Finnova has been from 27th to 29th March at Wex Global, the leading event in the water sector held in Seville, to present the European project Life Ecodigestion 2.0
• Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, participated in a panel discussion on the afternoon of 28 March

“Improvement of biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and their energy improvement” and “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP)”. These are the two challenges that make up the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, an open innovation methodology of public-private collaboration implemented by the Finnova Foundation, which promotes the identification of innovative solutions by entrepreneurs to SDG and EU challenges. The awards will be presented on 20 and 21 September in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities to be held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA).

Wastewater Treatment Plants, or WWTPs, are used to remove waste, floating fats, oils and grease, sand and other elements that may be present in the water, as well as settleable materials, both organic and inorganic, and biodegradable organic matter dissolved in the water. In recent years, WWTPs in Europe have achieved significant energy savings, but it is still a costly and intensive process, which involves a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The development of WWTPs in Spain is characterised by uneven regional policies.

The first challenge “Improvement of biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and their energy improvement” aims to achieve a first level technology applied to waste water treatment, which allows saving energy costs, and to look for companies and entrepreneurs that promote biogas generation, improve the efficiency of its production or its subsequent use in services such as public vehicle fleets with the objectives of circular economy and sustainable mobility as the main axis.

The second challenge, “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)”. seeks a project or initiative that provides a sustainable technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge and its subsequent recovery. Two criteria that will be prioritised are that the technology must be sustainable and capable of transforming the limited use of sludge (typically agricultural applications such as fertilisers) into ways of generating value and profitability (e.g. co-production of biofuel).

Registration for the challenges is now open and should be done through this link.

Final in September

The LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and aim to raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. The call for these challenges was launched at the LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards Technology Transfer seminar held on 17 February at Transfiere (FYCMA). The final will be held on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. In short, stratups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition. It is also worth mentioning that the innovative startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

Finnova at Wex Global

Finnova has been present at Wex Global from 27th to 29th March in order to present the Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project and encourage companies to participate in the LIFE CODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards and provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change.

In addition, on the afternoon of 28 March, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, presented the European Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project at a round table moderated by Frank Rogalia, Director of Innovation and Technology at Aqualia, and comprising Helge Daebel, Emerald Partner at Technology Ventures; Juliette Douglas, Business Development Liaison at Water Alliance; and Beverley Ferrara, European representative of The Water Council.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

• Last February 17th, at Transfiere Finnova launched a new edition of the Startup Europe Awards in the seminar Synergies towards Technology Transfer
• In this call of S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, three challenges were launched: “Biogas as an alternative and energy decarbonisation process in tourist mobility”, “Biogas as a decarbonisation process in the public transport system” and “Km 0 or Food Miles for the use of products generated in a sustainable way in each territory”

In the new edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, the search is on for the best startup with an innovative and market-applicable project proposal to promote the green transition. To this end, at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA) from 15 to 17 February, Finnova launched three challenges: “Biogas as an alternative and energy decarbonisation process in tourist mobility“, “Biogas as a decarbonisation process in the public transport system” and “Km 0 or Food Miles for the use of products generated in a sustainable way in each territory“.

In the first challenge, which aims to accelerate the development of renewable energies, promoting circularity and committing to a more resilient energy system, solutions are sought based on the use of clean, green and renewable energies. This challenge is key to phasing out fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal), one of the objectives of the European Commission’s European Green Pact and RePowerEU.

The second challenge aims to find a project or idea that provides an innovative solution to energy decarbonisation in the public transport system in order to improve the environmental efficiency of buses and other public transport services in cities.

Regarding the last challenge of the S-Moving awards, a startup is sought with a project proposal that allows the promotion and use of Km 0 products generated in a sustainable way in each territory. Thanks to this idea, the carbon footprint and emissions caused by the large cross-border journeys of current products will be minimised, as well as combating the inflation of imported products and supporting local agricultural production.

The three challenges posed for this call for prizes are particularly related to two projects in which the Finnova Foundation collaborates: LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, a technology that automates the digesters of wastewater treatment plants to convert organic waste in landfills into biogas, and Hub Iberia Agrotech (HIBA), of the Interreg Spain – Portugal programme (POCTEP) to promote an ecosystem and Agrodigitalisation based on a Digital Innovation Hubs Network (DIHs).

These challenges were presented at the seminar LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards Technology Transfer on 17 February at Transfiere. As for the awards ceremony, which is an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and the fight against climate change, it will be held in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in FYCMA on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September. It is also worth mentioning that the startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

Register here to participate and know more about the challenges.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About Hub Iberia Agrotech (HIBA)

It is a 5.3 million Euro project of Interreg Spain – Portugal Cross-Border Cooperation (POCTEP) HIBA to promote a Multi-regional ecosystem focused on the digitisation of the agri-food sector in Spain and Portugal through the creation of a network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), which promote initiative, competitiveness and business sustainability, promoting economic recovery post-Covid19. HIBA has 19 beneficiaries, being the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Andalusian Regional Government the main beneficiary.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

• During the Transfiere forum on 17 February, Finnova launched a new edition of the Startup Europe Awards at the seminar Synergies towards Technology Transfer
• In this edition of the awards, three challenges were presented: “Valorisation of textile waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation”, “Valorisation of organic waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation” and “Promotion of energy efficiency in cities through the use of renewable energies in order to mitigate climate change”

During Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA) from 15 to 17 February, Finnova launched a new call for the GREENCITIES Startup Europe Awards with three challenges: “Valorisation of textile waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation“, “Valorisation of organic waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation” and “Promotion of energy efficiency in cities through the use of renewable energies in order to mitigate climate change“.

The first challenge is looking for the best startup with an initiative for efficiency in the treatment, reduction and recycling of the HORECA sector for self-sufficiency in their own establishments. The innovative technology and methodology must be able to propose a waste treatment system based on a circular system of waste reuse and recovery.

The second challenge corresponds to a technological proposal capable of proposing a waste treatment system for its transformation into renewable energy sources (e.g. biogas) and generating a “pro-consumer” system (produce and consume). In this way, a circular system for the reuse and exploitation of waste would be established.

The third challenge of Greencities is a project to promote the self-sufficiency of buildings and facilities in cities through the use of renewable energies, reducing the pollution generated by buildings in cities, as they are responsible for 30% of global energy consumption and 28% of CO2 emissions. This challenge contributes to achieving the environmental objectives of the 2030 Agenda.

This last one is similar to the objectives of Finnova’s RES4CITY project, which promotes the development of sustainable energy and fuel technologies in cities through various innovative educational programmes.

This call was presented at the LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards Technology Transfer seminar on 17 February at Transfiere. As for the awards, they are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. 

The final of this edition will be held on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). The challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. It is also worth mentioning that the innovative startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

Register here to participate and know more about the challenges.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About RES4CITY 

RES4CITY is a new innovative educational project, in which the Finnova Foundation is a partner. The project has a budget of €2.5 million, fully funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Programme. Juan Viesca, Director of European Funds at Finnova, explained at the launch meeting that this initiative “aims to address the skills shortage in the EU in the renewable energy sector” through a set of educational programmes and tools that enable students to develop skills in renewable energy systems, fuel technologies and sustainability. 

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

• During the Transfiere forum, which took place from 15-17 February, Finnova launched a new edition of the Startup Europe Awards in the seminar Synergies towards Technology Transfer
• This call is made up of two challenges: “Improvement of biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and their energy improvement” and “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)”

Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA) from 15 to 17 February, was the setting for the launch of several challenges that make up the new edition of the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2. 0 Startup Europe Awards: “Improve biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement in WWTPs” and “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)“.

Waste Water Treatment Plants, or WWTPs, are used to remove waste, floating fats, oils and grease, sand and other elements that may be present in the water, as well as settleable materials, both organic and inorganic, and biodegradable organic matter dissolved in the water. In recent years, WWTPs in Europe have achieved significant energy savings, but it is still a costly and intensive process, which involves a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The development of WWTPs in Spain is characterised by uneven regional policies.

Therefore, the aim of this first challenge is to achieve a first level technology applied to wastewater treatment, which allows energy cost savings, and to seek companies and entrepreneurs that promote the generation of biogas, improve the efficiency of its production or its subsequent use in services such as public vehicle fleets with the objectives of circular economy and sustainable mobility as the main priority.

While the second challenge seeks a project or initiative that provides a sustainable technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge and its subsequent valorisation. Two criteria that will be prioritised is that it must be a sustainable technology capable of transforming the limited use of sludge (typically agricultural applications such as fertilisers) into ways of generating value and profitability (e.g. co-production of biofuel).

The call for these challenges was launched at the LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards Technology Transfer seminar on 17 February at Transfiere. These awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment.

The final will be held on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). The challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. In short, stratups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition. It is also worth mentioning that the innovative startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

Register here to participate and know more about the challenges.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

• In the new call of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, one of the challenges presented is “Kilometre 0 or Food Miles”

In the next edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, the search is on for the best startup that proposes a project with an innovative and market-applicable strategy for the ecological transition. In this case, the challenge is about the use of consumer products generated in each territory in a sustainable way, i.e. from Km0.

These products are an alternative with a minimal footprint due to their proximity and the elimination of the extensive cross-border journeys that most products are currently characterised by. The problem arises because, in order to reach their destination, large quantities of CO2 are emitted, which are harmful to the ecosystem and greatly accelerate climate change.

The winning innovative proposal will combat price inflation of products imported or transported from other regions, which are influenced by intermediaries and transport costs that significantly increase the final value of the product as non-renewable energy sources become more expensive due to scarcity.

This third challenge therefore aims to promote initiatives that propose “0 km menus” or local trade, which reduce CO2 emissions, in addition to promoting and supporting local agricultural production due to its economic and ecological value to the territory itself.

The challenges that make up the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards were launched at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). The awards ceremony of this call is scheduled to take place in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September 2023 at FYCMA. This edition was created with the aim of promoting urban transformation based on smart and sustainable mobility. It is also worth mentioning that the innovative startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

One of Finnova’s European projects that follows this line of support for the ecological and rural transition would be Hub Iberia Agrotech (HIBA), of the Interreg Spain – Portugal programme (POCTEP), with a budget of 5.3 million euros to promote a Pluri-regional ecosystem in Agrodigitalisation based on a Network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs).

Register in this link to participate and know more about these awards S-MOVING STARTUP EUROPE AWARDS (jotform.com)

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.