ABOUT THE AWARDS
WHY THE AWARDS EXIST
Europe does not lack innovation. It lacks scale. Founded in 2018, the awards were created to give Europe’s scale-ups the visibility, credibility and connections they need to grow globally. Today, the programme brings together founders, investors, policymakers and institutions around one mission: helping Europe recognise, fund and scale its next tech champions.
Europe does not lack innovation. It lacks scale. Founded in 2018, the awards were created to give Europe’s scale-ups the visibility, credibility and connections they need to grow globally. Today, the programme brings together founders, investors, policymakers and institutions around one mission: helping Europe recognise, fund and scale its next tech champions.
Europe does not lack innovation. It lacks scale. Founded in 2018, the awards were created to give Europe’s scale-ups the visibility, credibility and connections they need to grow globally. Today, the programme brings together founders, investors, policymakers and institutions around one mission: helping Europe recognise, fund and scale its next tech champions.
THE SCALE
years of defining the next generation
Countries represented on the record
capital raised by the alumni cohort
alumni that became unicorns
THE JURY & PRESENTERS
Who decides. Who backs. Who opens doors.
The jury, presenters and audience are not there for ceremony alone. They are the people who can spot serious companies early and help them reach the next market, funder or strategic partner.
THE HISTORY
Nine years. One record.
Every edition of the Unicorn Awards since it was founded in 2018 - the presenters, the moments, the numbers that add up.
2027
Transatlantic joins the programme
Introducing a new third track. Europe, defence, and the Atlantic. “Three tracks. One continent. One Atlantic.”
Presenter tba
2027
Transatlantic joins the programme
Introducing a new third track. Europe, defence, and the Atlantic. “Three tracks. One continent. One Atlantic.”
Presenter tba
2027
Transatlantic joins the programme
Introducing a new third track. Europe, defence, and the Atlantic. “Three tracks. One continent. One Atlantic.”
Presenter tba
2026
Featured with:
Two tracks, two champions
33 nominees across Future Unicorn and Dual-Use Technology award tracks. “Prosperity and resilience, built in Europe.”
Winner:
Future Unicorn: Quandela
Dual-Use: Sateliot
Future Unicorn Award presented by Henna Virkkunen, European Commission
Dual-Use Award presented by Nadia Calviño, European Investment Bank Group
2026
Featured with:
Two tracks, two champions
33 nominees across Future Unicorn and Dual-Use Technology award tracks. “Prosperity and resilience, built in Europe.”
Winner:
Future Unicorn: Quandela
Dual-Use: Sateliot
Future Unicorn Award presented by Henna Virkkunen, European Commission
Dual-Use Award presented by Nadia Calviño, European Investment Bank Group
2026
Featured with:
Two tracks, two champions
33 nominees across Future Unicorn and Dual-Use Technology award tracks. “Prosperity and resilience, built in Europe.”
Winner:
Future Unicorn: Quandela
Dual-Use: Sateliot
Future Unicorn Award presented by Henna Virkkunen, European Commission
Dual-Use Award presented by Nadia Calviño, European Investment Bank Group
2025
Dual-Use joins the stage
A second track for civil and defence innovators. In collaboration with Brave1 and Ukraine's MoD. “From digital ambition to strategic resilience"
Winner:
Future Unicorn: Pactum
Dual-Use: Quantum Systems
Presented by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commission
2025
Dual-Use joins the stage
A second track for civil and defence innovators. In collaboration with Brave1 and Ukraine's MoD. “From digital ambition to strategic resilience"
Winner:
Future Unicorn: Pactum
Dual-Use: Quantum Systems
Presented by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commission
2025
Dual-Use joins the stage
A second track for civil and defence innovators. In collaboration with Brave1 and Ukraine's MoD. “From digital ambition to strategic resilience"
Winner:
Future Unicorn: Pactum
Dual-Use: Quantum Systems
Presented by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commission
2024
A new Commissioner presents
Europe's scale-up showcase continues with innovation, sovereignty and competitiveness in focus. “A new presenter, the same mission: scale Europe’s tech champions.”
Winner: Multiverse Computing
Presented by Iliana Ivanova, European Commission
2024
A new Commissioner presents
Europe's scale-up showcase continues with innovation, sovereignty and competitiveness in focus. “A new presenter, the same mission: scale Europe’s tech champions.”
Winner: Multiverse Computing
Presented by Iliana Ivanova, European Commission
2024
A new Commissioner presents
Europe's scale-up showcase continues with innovation, sovereignty and competitiveness in focus. “A new presenter, the same mission: scale Europe’s tech champions.”
Winner: Multiverse Computing
Presented by Iliana Ivanova, European Commission
2023
A recognised European stage
The award becomes a fixture for Europe’s most promising scale-ups. “Year after year, Europe’s future unicorns take the stage.”
Winner: Red Points
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2023
A recognised European stage
The award becomes a fixture for Europe’s most promising scale-ups. “Year after year, Europe’s future unicorns take the stage.”
Winner: Red Points
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2023
A recognised European stage
The award becomes a fixture for Europe’s most promising scale-ups. “Year after year, Europe’s future unicorns take the stage.”
Winner: Red Points
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2022
The fifth edition
17 nominees from across Europe mark five years of the Future Unicorn Award. “Five editions. One mission: scale Europe’s champions.”
Winner: Circulor Ltd
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2022
The fifth edition
17 nominees from across Europe mark five years of the Future Unicorn Award. “Five editions. One mission: scale Europe’s champions.”
Winner: Circulor Ltd
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2022
The fifth edition
17 nominees from across Europe mark five years of the Future Unicorn Award. “Five editions. One mission: scale Europe’s champions.”
Winner: Circulor Ltd
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2021
Innovation through uncertainty
Virtual ceremony, the new cohort shows Europe’s innovation pipeline through a changing moment. “Virtual, but not diminished.”
Winner: Oncompass Medicine
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2021
Innovation through uncertainty
Virtual ceremony, the new cohort shows Europe’s innovation pipeline through a changing moment. “Virtual, but not diminished.”
Winner: Oncompass Medicine
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2021
Innovation through uncertainty
Virtual ceremony, the new cohort shows Europe’s innovation pipeline through a changing moment. “Virtual, but not diminished.”
Winner: Oncompass Medicine
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2020
The award gains momentum
14 nominees. A new cohort brings AI, health, and digital innovation to the stage. “Technology with purpose, built to scale.”
Winner: Corti
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2020
The award gains momentum
14 nominees. A new cohort brings AI, health, and digital innovation to the stage. “Technology with purpose, built to scale.”
Winner: Corti
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2020
The award gains momentum
14 nominees. A new cohort brings AI, health, and digital innovation to the stage. “Technology with purpose, built to scale.”
Winner: Corti
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2019
Europe’s scale-up map grows
16 nominees reflect the diversity and momentum of Europe’s digital economy. “The pipeline widens - and the ambition grows.”
Winner: Umbraco, Teslasuit & MaaS global
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2019
Europe’s scale-up map grows
16 nominees reflect the diversity and momentum of Europe’s digital economy. “The pipeline widens - and the ambition grows.”
Winner: Umbraco, Teslasuit & MaaS global
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2019
Europe’s scale-up map grows
16 nominees reflect the diversity and momentum of Europe’s digital economy. “The pipeline widens - and the ambition grows.”
Winner: Umbraco, Teslasuit & MaaS global
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2018
The award is founded
11 companies. A new pan-European platform for Europe’s future tech giants. “A first spotlight on Europe’s next digital leaders.”
Winner: AirFaas
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2018
The award is founded
11 companies. A new pan-European platform for Europe’s future tech giants. “A first spotlight on Europe’s next digital leaders.”
Winner: AirFaas
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
2018
The award is founded
11 companies. A new pan-European platform for Europe’s future tech giants. “A first spotlight on Europe’s next digital leaders.”
Winner: AirFaas
Presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commission
THE FULL UNICORN NETWORK
Every winner, finalist and nominee becomes part of a growing network of companies that turned regional conviction into global scale.
Every winner, finalist and nominee becomes part of a growing network of companies that turned regional conviction into global scale.
Explore the full network
From the newsroom
Latest news
Read the announcements, winner stories and press releases shaping the Future & Dual-Use Technology Awards.
Read the announcements, winner stories and press releases shaping the Future & Dual-Use Technology Awards.
Transatlantic Dual-Use Unicorn Award launched to find the dual-use companies ready to strengthen security across Europe, the US and Ukraine
Quandela and Sateliot win DIGITALEUROPE’s Future Unicorn and Dual-Use Technology Awards 2026
DIGITALEUROPE unveils Europe's upcoming tech & defence unicorns: meet the 7 Future Unicorn Award 2026 finalists
Partner with DIGITALEUROPE. Institutions, accelerators, investors and companies — one conversation opens the door.
Partner with DIGITALEUROPE. Institutions, accelerators, investors and companies — one conversation opens the door.
Start a conversation
The awards that map Europe's next decade
© 2026 DIGITALEUROPE - Rue de la Science 37, Brussels
The awards that map Europe's next decade
© 2026 DIGITALEUROPE - Rue de la Science 37, Brussels
The awards that map Europe's next decade
© 2026 DIGITALEUROPE - Rue de la Science 37, Brussels