The EPO celebrates 10 visionaries of the inaugural standalone Young Inventors Prize

• The fourth edition of the Young Inventors Prize becomes the first standalone event, alternating with the European Inventor Award
• Showcasing innovative solutions to pressing global issues addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Three winners will additionally receive jury special prizes for exceptional contributions
• One young inventor to receive additional accolade as voted by the public, The People's Choice award

MUNICH, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Patent Office (EPO) is proud to announce a new era for the Young Inventors Prize, marking its first standalone ceremony. Established in 2022, this initiative was previously part of the European Inventor Award, which has been a cornerstone of innovation recognition since 2006. From this year forward, the two events will alternate annually.

Empowering tomorrow's innovators
The Young Inventors Prize celebrates individuals and teams aged 30 and under for their groundbreaking innovations addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today, ten winners, known as Tomorrow Shapers, are announced. Selected from over 450 candidates, these innovators have been recognised for their contributions to tackling pressing global challenges.

The 2025 ceremony: a celebration of innovation
The 2025 tomorrow shapers will gather in Reykjavik, Iceland, on 18 June. During the ceremony, three initiatives will receive special prizes:

• World Builders: Recognising innovators working towards a sustainable future by ensuring access to essential resources like water, energy, and sustainable infrastructure. Their work promotes circular economy solutions that drive prosperity while reducing environmental impact (SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 17).
• Community Healers: Celebrating individuals or teams providing solutions for food security, education, healthcare, and fair working conditions. Their work ensures equal opportunities and fights discrimination (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 17).
• Nature Guardians: Dedicated to initiatives protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, addressing climate change, ocean health, and wildlife conservation. This work aims to prevent environmental damage and restore natural balance (SDGs 13, 14, 15, 17).

Awards and recognition
Each finalist will receive EUR 5,000, while the three special prize winners will be awarded an additional EUR 15,000. The people's choice winner, selected through an online public vote, will receive an extra EUR 5,000. The ceremony will be livestreamed from Iceland on 18 June 2025, allowing a global audience to join in celebrating these young innovators.

For more information about the Young Inventors Prize and the 2025 finalists, please visit this page.

About the Young Inventors Prize

Aimed at individuals 30 and under, the Young Inventors Prize showcases the transformative power of youth-driven solutions and recognises the remarkable young people paving the way to a more sustainable future. Established in 2022, trophies were first handed out during the European Inventor Award ceremony. Starting this year, the Prize will move up a gear with its own dedicated event every two years. Among the 10 Tomorrow Shapers selected for each edition, three will be awarded a special prize: World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians. In addition, a People's Choice winner, voted by the public online, will be revealed. Each Tomorrow Shaper will receive EUR 5 000, the three special prize winners will each receive an extra EUR 15 000. The People's Choice winner will be awarded an additional EUR 5 000. Read more on the Young Inventors Prize eligibility and selection criteria.

About the EPO

With 6,300 staff members, the European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague and Vienna, the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe. Through the EPO's centralised patent granting procedure, inventors are able to obtain high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, covering a market of some 700 million people. The EPO is also the world's leading authority in patent information and patent searching.

SOURCE European Patent Office (EPO)