As Europe seeks to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem, two flagship initiatives are putting young innovators centre stage: the Young European Entrepreneur Award (YEEA) and the Youth Start-Up Competition (YSC)—both backed by the European Commission.
To understand the significance of such contests, we caught up with the YEEA jury during its final pitching session at EU Industry Days 2025 in Rzeszów, Poland. Their reflections offer not only a celebration of rising talent but also a compelling argument for why young entrepreneurs should seize the opportunity offered by this year’s Youth Start-Up Competition.
For Mariella Masselink, Head of Unit at DG GROW, European Commission, the value of participating in these contests is clear:
“Entering the competition can help young entrepreneurs to build networks with companies and other entrepreneurs, while gaining visibility for their idea at the European level.”
That visibility and connection to broader European ecosystems is a common thread linking YEEA and YSC. Both competitions don’t just reward strong ideas—they offer platforms that help scale them. Arthur Jordão, Executive Director at the Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) and a member of the YSC jury, echoed this sentiment:
“These competitions elevate European entrepreneurship, helping to build a more resilient and ambitious culture. Recognition from the European Commission adds credibility and access to new markets.”
He also pointed to a broader impact: competitions like YEEA and YSC are instrumental in shaping a new generation of European entrepreneurs—one that is globally competitive, financially literate, and increasingly open to risk. As Arthur notes, this kind of contest is necessary and contributes meaningfully to that goal.
For prospective YSC applicants, Arthur shared key insights into what the jury will be watching for:
“We look for innovative ideas and assess them across societal, economic, and environmental levels. We also consider whether the applicant has a good understanding of scalability and how their startup is financially structured.”
As Europe continues to invest in youth-led innovation, the convergence of competitions like YEEA and YSC sends a strong message: young visionaries are not just welcome—they are essential to shaping a sustainable and competitive European future.
The Youth Start-Up Competition 2025, held as part of European SME Week, invites entrepreneurs aged 18 to 25 to pitch bold, future-facing start-up ideas that reflect sustainability, inclusiveness, and competitiveness. Finalists will present their ventures at SME Assembly 2025 in Copenhagen, one of Europe’s leading events for small and medium enterprises. More information is available here.
Don’t Take It From Us—Hear From the Finalists!
Before you submit your application, hear directly from those who’ve been there. These young entrepreneurs were among the top finalists of the Young European Entrepreneur Award and share what the experience meant to them:
Moritz Wessely (PrecisionBiome, Top 3 finalist):
“Being a finalist gives visibility to our mission—curing chronic diseases through the gut microbiome. Europe has the potential to lead innovation, and initiatives like these help make that possible.”
Célia F. Cruz (Complear Health):
“It’s humbling and energising to be part of this. The SME Assembly is a great place to connect with others and grow our impact in the healthcare innovation space.”
Apply to the Youth Start-Up Competition 2025 by 20 September, and pitch your innovation at Europe’s leading entrepreneurship forum - SME Assembly 2025 - in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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