For the 11th year in a row, The Hague opens the search for the future-makers of our city and beyond. Entries for The Hague Innovators Awards 2025 started on 26 May. This annual awards ceremony, an initiative of ImpactCity, part of the Hague municipality, offers startups, scale-ups and students the chance to present their innovative solutions to social issues on the stage of ImpactFest in front of a relevant audience of 1,500 people.
With cash prizes of up to €15,000, coaching, media attention and access to a powerful network of investors and partners, The Hague Innovators is the springboard programme for entrepreneurs who know how to combine “doing good & doing business”. Names such as North Sea Farmers, Seepje and Naïf Care have already called themselves The Hague Innovators.
New generation of thinkers and doers
The challenges of our time – such as climate change, food security, energy transition and social justice – call for fresh perspectives and scalable solutions. The Hague Innovators Awards focuses on entrepreneurs who contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with innovative products or services. New this year is the Future Innovator Award, especially for student entrepreneurs in The Hague who want to make a difference with their ideas.
A stage full of opportunities
Nominees go through a process that includes pitching training, one-to-one coaching and a video shoot at startup hub Apollo14. Experts from Rabobank, DOEN Participaties, Unknown Group, and Innovation Quarter are part of the expert jury and guide the startups and scale-ups through the process. The final will take place during ImpactFest on 30 October, where the finalists will face other impact entrepreneurs and an interested group of impact investors.
Previous winners, such as Solvoz, Feelou and Rator, have been able to take a solid step towards scaling up, exposure and new investment thanks to The Hague Innovators.
“The Hague Innovators Award allowed us to extend our test period at the Green Village Delft. As a result, we knew even better what modifications were needed to get to a prototype and were able to delay raising new investment until we had test results.” – Gijs Jan Moest, CEO of Rator and one of the winners in 2024.
Sign up
Are you or do you know a Hague entrepreneur with an innovative product or service that contributes to a better future? You can apply for The Hague Innovators Awards 2025 until 1 September at www.impactcity.nl.
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About ImpactCity and ImpactFest
ImpactCity is the ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs in The Hague. Under the motto “doing good and doing business”, ImpactCity helps entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses with access to funding, knowledge, networks and publicity.
www.impactcity.nl
ImpactFest, ImpactCity’s annual event, has become a leading European event for impact-driven innovation. More than 1,500 changemakers come together in a dynamic festival atmosphere: from startups and investors to policymakers and corporates.
www.impactfest.nl