The 2025 edition of Innova Europe kicks off: the opportunity for students and alumni to create innovative projects for a sustainable future

This year, once again, the 2025 edition of Innova Europe is ready to take on the most pressing challenges of our time, involving teams led by students and alumni from the main European business schools with the aim of developing innovative ideas and projects within the framework of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The European Business Schools that are playing a leading role

Innova Europe 2025 sees the participation of some of the most prestigious European business schools, united in promoting innovation and sustainability. Among the participating institutions, in addition to the three founding schools, namely our own, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, ESMT Berlin (Germany), which this year hosts the final event, and EDHEC Business School (France), we find: Aalto University School of Business (Finland), KSE Graduate Business School (Ukraine), IE Business School (Spain), UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (Ireland), Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Netherlands), London Business School (United Kingdom), ETH Zürich (Switzerland) and SPJMR Mumbai (India).

How to participate

Innova Europe 2025 allows you to apply in two categories:

1. Young Hopes - Rising Stars (Idea Stage):
   The category dedicated to innovative ideas in their embryonic phase.
2. Rising Stars (Startup Stage):
   The category for startups that already have a prototype or product at the initial stage.

For each School, from the teams that apply, winners will be nominated nationally for one or both categories.

The aim is to identify entrepreneurial projects that can promote one or more SDGs by focusing on one of the following themes:

• Environmental Transition: developing solutions for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economic model.
• Empowerment and Social Inclusion: supporting social progress and inclusion.
• Healthy Living and Holistic Wellbeing: promoting an integrated approach to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

The final event

The international final will be held on 5 September 2025 at ESMT Berlin, where national winners will compete to present their innovative solutions to an audience of experts, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Innova Europe: a springboard for change

Innova Europe is not just a competition, but an invitation to become the architects of positive change for society. It's a platform that celebrates sustainable innovation, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and courage.

If you are ready to make a difference and put your brilliant idea into practice, Innova Europe 2025 is your chance.

Don’t miss this opportunity: Register now and join the community of changemakers across Europe!