The winners of the EIT Entrepreneurship Awards are three start-ups in three different categories. Naked Eergy (United Kingdom) for the Climate-KIC category, Trifense (Germany) for the EIT ICT LABS category, and Noem (Spain) for the KIC InnoEnergy category. The awards were announced in a ceremony held in Brussels on the 21 of February.

The first Entrepreneurship Awards for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) were announced at the Royal Academy of Science in Brussels on the 21 of February. The winners, all of them start-ups, are: for the Climate-KIC, Naked Eergy (United Kingdom): design and innovation company developing solar technology that generates electricity and heat. For the second KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Communities), EIT ICT LABS, Trifense (Germany), a start-up which specialises in protecting computer networks against cyber threats; and for the KIC InnoEnergy, Noem (Spain): construction using sustainable wooden materials. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) began its work in 2008.

Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth highlighted that the awards recognise promising new ventures, and the Commission is seeking to promote an entrepreneurial culture in Europe and, at the same time, to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. She also added that the EIT equips small businesses, students and researchers with the knowledge and skills they need to turn innovative ideas into commercial opportunities.

The three winners were selected among nine finalists in collaboration with the three KICs, which focus on information and communication technologies (ICT), sustainable energy and climate change. They were given the opportunity to attend a training course on how to successfully present their businesses. The winners will meet leading entrepreneurs to provide them with guidance on how to prepare their business for expansion.