That’s a wrap on EU TalentOn 2026! We are happy to unveil the 12 award-winning teams from this year’s edition, taking place September 7–11 in Brest, France.
After a week of ideation, prototyping and pitching in Brest, our young European researchers have crossed the finish line last Friday. From late-night brainstorms to nerve-wracking pitches in front of our jury of experts, every team gave it everything they had. Find out more about the winners below:
Grand Jury Prize – RhizoSentinel – Felipe Quiroz, Natasha Waris, Ilaria Bertolini, Victoria Boycheva
Turning plants into living soil biosensors that reveal hidden soil biological threats before they cause crop losses, enabling earlier intervention and smarter soil management
Alumni Award – Colospy – Marion Le Meur, Narjes Yazdi, Suresh Ajmeera, Alberto Galindo Caballero
A rapid, saliva-based molecular test detecting colorectal-cancer-miRNA signature, designed as a stool-free screening option.
Adaptation to Climate Change
- 1st Prize – IMPRREST – Alejandro Roman, Marie Johanna Univer, Edoardo Kimani Bellotto, Florin Miron
From big data to decisions in minutes, PRREST gives responders one verified assessment of climate emergencies and evidence for adaptation.
- 2nd Prize – Old Timers – Alexandros Georgios Asvestas, Andrea Briones, Carlos Cabanzo, Ivan Werthmamm
Guardian gives vulnerable people an alternative way to receive critical climate warnings when conventional channels fail.
Cancer Prevention & Care
- 1st Prize – CogniVoice – Xhilda Dhamo, Oliwia Kosecka, Jafar Gura
A patient-centred speech monitoring platform for post-treatment surveillance of Brain Cancer.
- 2nd Prize – GripToLab – Ava Chan, Nikolina Tomic, Tulu Tefera Habte, Salome Abuladze
Gripto turns a daily squeeze into an early warning for cancer-related muscle loss, before you can feel it.
Restore our Ocean and Waters
- 1st Prize – Mission PFASsible – Gabriel Tejero,Siddhanth Shishodia, Dominika Czekanowska, Gjylije Hoti
Mission: PFASsible turns pollution removal into verified risk reduction: sensing, capturing, concentrating, and proving water safety.
- 2nd Prize – CHARisma – Mariarosaria Morelli, Myrto Foteini Touloupi, Beyza Özerdem, Abdullah Buğra Şenol
From aquaculture waste to the next generation of marine coatings.
100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities
- 1st Prize – Block2City – Lucia Petronio, Samar Momin, Samira Huber, Imen, Kaabachi
Block2City turns building data into renovation choices, funding guidance and expert handoff, while helping cities map local demand.
- 2nd Prize – LIFE2 – Rahmandhika Firdauzha Hary Hernandha, Nejc Klopcic, Maria Ruxandra Cojocaru, Gabor Pasztor
LIFE2 turns second-life batteries into transparent and valuable energy assets by matching verified battery supply with the storage demand.
A Soil Deal for Europe
- 1st Prize – RhizoSentinel – Natasha Waris, Ilaria Bertolini, Felipe Quiroz, Victoria Boycheva
Turning plants into living soil biosensors that reveal hidden soil biological threats before they cause crop losses, enabling earlier intervention and smarter soil management.
- 2nd Prize – FIREBACK – Humberto Castillo Gonzalez, Giuseppe De Giorgio, Swagatika Dash, Susana Zapata García
Regenerating Post-Fire Landscapes.
Congratulations to all the winners, and huge respect to every single team who showed up, built something real, and pitched it with passion across the 5 EU Missions: Adaptation to Climate change, Cancer prevention & Care, Restore our Ocean & Waters, Climate-neutral & Smart Cities, and A Soil Deal for Europe.
This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you next year. Stay tune to know more on the next host city.
