DIGITALEUROPE unveils the 3 finalists for the Future Unicorn Award 2024
DIGITALEUROPE has unveiled the 3 finalist companies for its annual “Future Unicorn Award”. The winner will be announced at Masters of Digital 2024 on 21 February by Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.
The three finalists are:
- Aerospacelab from Belgium: A New Space scale-up that specializes in designing, manufacturing and operating small satellite systems
- Multiverse Computing from Spain: At the forefront of technological innovation through quantum and quantum inspired computing
- Veo Technologies from Denmark: Develops an intelligent sports camera that enables sports teams of all levels to record and automatically live-stream matches
Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, Director-General of DIGITALEUROPE, said:
“Today, only 9 per cent of the world’s unicorns are from Europe and only 4.5% from the EU. This is far from enough, at a time when Europe seeks to assert its global competitive edge and become a digital powerhouse. But this year’s impressive shortlist of the most brilliant scale-ups clearly reflects the power of European innovators to deliver solutions and face Europe’s most burning challenges.
We think these companies have got what it takes to become Europe’s next tech giant.”
About the Future Unicorn Award
The Future Unicorn Award is a collaboration between national trade associations affiliated with DIGITALEUROPE. Each association nominates one small company from their country that has the potential to become Europe’s next tech giant. The winner will be announced at Masters of Digital, DIGITALEUROPE’s flagship annual conference, on 21 February 2024 in Brussels.
The award is now being held for the seventh year in a row and is a testimony of the vital importance of small and medium companies (SMEs) in Europe and the wider digital ecosystem. The 2024 edition features a 5-member jury made of innovation experts:
- Hilary Mine: VP Strategy & Technology, Nokia
- Kadi Silde: Chief of Staff, Head of the Transition, DIANA, NATO
- Eric de Montgolfier: Chief Executive Officer, Invest Europe
- Stéphane Ouaki: Head of Department, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)
- Indrek Heinloo: COO, Veriff
The event also features top EU leaders as confirmed speakers, including Alexander de Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium; Marie Bjerre, Minister for Digital Government and Gender Equality, Denmark; and Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.
Why European unicorns matter
Scale-ups – tech companies with more than $1 million funding raised – are essential to Europe’s prosperity. More than just an engine for innovation, scale-ups are businesses that keep on hiring highly skilled workers, raise Europe’s productivity, and champion European values across the world.
Supporting scale-ups is not only Europe’s best chance at producing home-grown tech giants, but it is also a critical choice for digital and energy resilience. This may be truer than ever in the context of the ongoing energy and security crisis caused by the devastating effects of the war in Ukraine.
About DIGITALEUROPE
DIGITALEUROPE is the leading trade association representing digitally transforming industries in Europe. We stand for a regulatory environment that enables European businesses and citizens to prosper from digital technologies. We wish Europe to grow, attract and sustain the world’s best digital talents and technology companies. Our membership represents over 45,000 businesses who operate and invest in Europe. It includes 106 corporations which are global leaders in their field of activity, as well as 41 national trade associations from across Europe.
