Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award nominations launch; €10,000 prize at stake
In Belgium, EuropaBio invited small and medium sized biotech companies (SMEs) across Europe to apply for the 7th edition of the Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award – a unique annual initiative recognizing biotech innovation and its contribution to society. Depending on their field of activity, SMEs can apply in 3 categories: healthcare, agricultural or industrial biotech. Applications must be submitted online at biotechSMEawards.eu before 27 June 2016. Two companies will be shortlisted in each category by a jury or biotech experts, with the winners celebrated during a landmark event for SMEs held in the course of European Biotech Week in late September. Each winner will also receive a €10,000 cheque and two years free EuropaBio membership (runners-up receive the latter).
According to the European Commission, “small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Europe’s economy. They represent 90% of all businesses in the EU. In the past five years, they have created around 85% of new jobs and provided two-thirds of the total private sector employment in the EU.” In other words, SME matter and the leaders in innovation should be recognized and rewarded.
Biotech embodies the way in which science and scientific breakthroughs can be applied to respond to current problems. From new therapies that can address unmet medical needs and fight epidemics and rare diseases, to industrial processes that use renewable feed stocks instead of crude oil, to drought-resistant crops that allow farmers around the world to feed more people under ever-harsher climatic conditions, biotechnology pays economic, social and environmental dividends. SMEs interested to enter the competition are invited to apply by 27 June 2016.
Category: Research
