CupHub, Legumia and Core Solutions have been named the winners of The Hague Innovators Awards 2026, recognising local entrepreneurs developing practical solutions to social and environmental challenges.
The winners of the twelfth edition were announced on 10 November at Schaal Je Impact in the Fokker Terminal in The Hague. Organised by ImpactCity, the municipality’s programme for impact entrepreneurship, the awards support businesses as they develop and scale their ideas.
CupHub wins €15,000 main prize
CupHub received The Hague Innovator Award, worth €15,000, for Casey, its portable menstrual cup cleaner. The product is designed to make reusable menstrual cups easier and more hygienic to use, including in places without a washbasin. The company also works to tackle period poverty.
Student award for Legumia
Legumia won the €3,500 The Hague Student Innovator Award for food products made from pulses. Its aim is to make healthy, sustainable food accessible to a wider audience while supporting the shift towards more plant-based protein.
Public vote recognises Core Solutions
Core Solutions, founded by Rik van Wieren, won the Audience Award. Its PillenPopper helps people with limited hand function remove medicines from blister packs independently, addressing a daily task that can be difficult or painful.
THOL readers may recognise Rik from our recent community story. Read more about Rik and the development of the PillenPopper.
Supporting innovation in The Hague
The awards have supported entrepreneurs for twelve years, with previous winners including Seepje, Naïf, North Sea Farmers and Droppie. They recognise ideas across areas such as sustainable food, health, inclusion, the energy transition and climate adaptation.
Marijn Fraanje, the municipality’s director for urban development and the economy, presented the prizes. He highlighted how the winners combine innovation with social impact.
Source: ImpactCity / Municipality of The Hague, press release dated 10 November 2026.
More information: https://www.impactcity.nl/
Image: The winners at Schaal Je Impact in the Fokker Terminal. From left: Sophie Haccou (CupHub), Rik van Wieren (Core Solutions) and Leoni Riste (Legumia). Photo: Danny van der Sluijs.