EPO announces inaugural Young Inventors prize finalists

https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/epo-announces-inaugural-young-inventors-prize-finalists

EPO announces inaugural Young Inventors prize finalists

24.05.2022

An AI-driven waste management system, biodegradable absorbents to combat period poverty and an app to detect Parkinson's disease early are the three problem-solving initiatives developed by the inaugural finalists of the Young Inventors prize. The newly established prize recognises individuals or teams of innovators aged 30 and younger and celebrates technological solutions that support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to its focus on sustainability, the inaugural event features equal gender representation and finalists from four countries: Brazil, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The 2022 finalists are:

Rafaella de Bona Gonçalves (Brazil): Biodegradable pads and tampons to combat period poverty
Victor Dewulf and Peter Hedley (Belgium/United Kingdom): AI-driven waste management
Erin Smith (United States): AI brings earlier care to new Parkinson's patients

"It is an honour to announce the finalists in our first Young Inventors prize," said EPO President António Campinos. " Their ingenuity and perseverance are an inspiration for all of us, and underline the vital role that the next generation of innovators will play in building a more sustainable world."

The finalists were selected by a jury from a pool of hundreds of candidates and teams of inventors put forward by members of the public, national patent offices, and EPO staff. The winners of the Young Inventors prize will be announced at the 2022 European Inventor Award ceremony. Additionally, the winner will receive a EUR 20 000 cash prize, with the second and third place finalists receiving EUR 10 000 and EUR 5 000 respectively.

You are invited to learn more about the greatest minds of the next generation at the livestream Award ceremony on 21 June at 12:00 hrs CEST.