Sort a Brick is recognised for applying AI-driven robotics and computer vision to one of the construction industry’s most pressing challenges: waste sorting and recycling. By automating the identification and separation of reusable building materials, the company significantly improves recycling rates while reducing costs and emissions. This solution demonstrates how applied AI can simultaneously deliver strong economic returns and measurable environmental impact at industrial scale.

Cast AI is awarded for its leadership in Application Performance Automation, enabling enterprises to efficiently run AI workloads across Kubernetes and cloud environments. By dynamically optimising infrastructure usage, Cast AI reduces cloud spend, improves performance, and simplifies operations for AI-intensive applications. Its oversubscribed $108 million Series C round underlines both strong market validation and global relevance.

Black Forest Labs is recognised for outstanding B2B success in deploying highly specialised AI solutions within high-performance computing and autonomous systems. The company excels at translating advanced AI research into robust, mission-critical products for demanding industrial environments. Through deep expertise in optimisation, control systems, edge computing, and sensor fusion, Black Forest Labs delivers measurable gains in efficiency, autonomy, and operational resilience for its clients.

ECMWF is awarded for its pivotal role in enabling the European AI ecosystem for weather and climate prediction. Through initiatives such as the AI Weather Quest, the Anemoi open-source framework, and extensive capacity-building programs, ECMWF fosters collaboration between AI researchers and domain scientists worldwide. By combining open data, shared benchmarks, and operational deployment, ECMWF accelerates the adoption of trustworthy AI in forecasting at continental and global scale.

The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking is recognised for providing Europe with state-of-the-art supercomputing infrastructure that underpins advanced AI research and large-scale model development. By ensuring broad access to high-performance computing resources, EuroHPC plays a foundational role in strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in AI.

ELLIS is awarded for unifying and strengthening European excellence in artificial intelligence research. Through its network of ELLIS Units, research programs, and PhD training initiatives, ELLIS addresses talent retention, promotes cross-border collaboration, and builds the human capital essential for long-term AI leadership in Europe.

Eurazeo is recognised for its strategic and substantial investments in high-growth AI companies across Europe. By backing scale-ups that apply AI to disrupt traditional industries, Eurazeo provides the long-term capital required to transform promising technologies into global market leaders.

HV Capital is awarded for its consistent role in leading pivotal funding rounds for German and European AI startups. Its portfolio reflects a strong ability to identify AI companies with proven business models and cross-industry impact, making HV Capital a key driver of sustainable AI growth.

Speedinvest is recognised for its high-impact, early-stage investments in AI startups across Europe. Frequently acting as the first institutional investor, Speedinvest combines capital with hands-on platform support, helping transform innovative AI ideas into scalable, venture-backed companies.

Axel Voss is awarded for his significant influence on Europe’s legal framework for data-driven innovation. Through his work on data governance, intellectual property, and digital regulation, he has shaped the conditions under which European AI models are developed, trained, and deployed responsibly.

Dragoş Tudorache is recognised for his instrumental role as co-rapporteur of the EU AI Act. His work focused on balancing innovation with strong protections for fundamental rights, contributing to a regulatory framework designed to be both enforceable and future-proof.

Lucilla Sioli is awarded for her leadership in shaping and operationalising the European Commission’s AI strategy. As Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry at DG CONNECT, she translates political ambition into concrete programs, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure that directly support Europe’s AI ecosystem.

Axelera.ai is recognised for advancing applied AI through the development of high-performance, energy-efficient edge AI processors. By enabling real-time AI inference at low power consumption, the company provides critical hardware foundations for scalable and deployable AI solutions across industries.

nomagic.ai is awarded for its impact on e-commerce logistics through AI-powered robotic picking and packing systems. By addressing labor shortages and significantly increasing warehouse throughput, the company demonstrates the transformative potential of applied AI in global supply chains.

Dronamics is recognised for pioneering long-range cargo drones powered by advanced autonomous systems. By combining AI-driven navigation with innovative aerospace engineering, the company is redefining fast, efficient, and sustainable cargo transport.