Overview

Europe's stage for the next generation of AI

The European AI Rising Stars Award is an initiative of the Foundation to identify and support the most promising AI startups in Europe. The award recognizes the company that best stands out for the originality of its business model and its growth potential through artificial intelligence. Open to startups in the EU, UK, and Switzerland pre-Series B, under four years old, with founders under 45. The winning company earns a place at the Annual Conference, AI model credits, and visibility among global leaders. Free to enter.

Jury Members

The experts deciding who rises

Valerio Durazzo

Venture Partner at Lumen Ventures, contributing as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Bill Unger

Tech Investor and Former General Partner, Mayfield Fund, serving as Member of the Panel.

Member

Emanuele Calà

President & Managing Director of AdR, serving as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Maurizio Arrivabene

Co-Founder of Mach9, contributing entrepreneurial insight as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Maurizio Bellacosa

Professor of Law at LUISS, lending legal expertise as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Gabriele Capolino

Founder & CEO of Avvio Capital, contributing as a Member of the Panel of Judges.

Member

Martina Colasante

Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager at Google Italy, serving as Member of the Panel.

Member

Tara Doyle

SVP of Business Development at Boston Common Asset Management, serving as Member of the Panel.

Member

Carmelo Fontana

Senior Regional Counsel at Google, lending legal expertise as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Brian Halligan

Co-Founder of HubSpot and Senior Advisor at Sequoia, serving as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Penny Herscher

Chair of the Board at Lumentum and Penguin Solutions, serving as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Iñigo López de la Osa Escribano

CEO of Lopez de la Osa & Franco Real Estate Group, serving as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Bethany Mayer

Chair of the Board at Box and board member at HPE and Lam Research, serving as Member of the Panel.

Member

Simone Quilici

Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, serving as a Member of the Panel.

Member

Ferruccio M. Sbarbaro

Managing Partner at Libra Legal Partners, serving as Vice Chair of the Panel.

Vice Chair

Mark Baudler

Partner at Wilson Sonsini, serving as Vice Chair of the Panel of Judges.

Vice Chair

Lila Tretikov

Head of AI Strategy at NEA and board director at UBS, serving as Chair of the Panel of Judges.

Chair

Fabio Corsico

Director of Institutional Affairs at Caltagirone Group and Vice Chairman of Anima Holding.

Member

Competition

European AI Rising Stars Award

An award for Europe's most promising AI startups. Presented to the company that best stands out for originality, growth potential, and use of artificial intelligence.

Who Can Apply

AI startups in the EU, UK, or Switzerland. Max 4 years old. Pre-Series B. Majority of founders and directors under 45.

The Award

The winning company earns a place at the Annual Conference, AI model credits, and visibility among global leaders.

Key Dates — 2026 Edition

Application deadline: May 21, 2026
Finalists announced: June 10, 2026
Final Stage (20-min pitch): June 18, 2026

Agenda

European Rising Stars Awards.

June 18, 2026 – Curia Iulia, Parco archeologico del Colosseo, L.go della Salara Vecchia

9:30 AM

Welcome Coffee & Stat-up Pitches

12:30 PM

Announcement of Competition Winner

1:00 PM

Light Refreshments

Hello Osmo

Apply Now

Download PDF Agenda

Application

Apply for the Rising Stars Award

Download brief

Submit your startup for the 2026 European AI Rising Stars Award. Applications are open to AI-focused companies in the EU, UK, and Switzerland. Complete the form with your company overview, development plans, and pitch deck. Deadline: May 21, 2026. Our panel will review every submission.

Event

Third Annual Conference 

on AI, Ethics, and Governance

Three days in Rome bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, legal experts, academics, and civil society to discuss the governance, impact, and responsible development of AI.

From 18 to 20

June, 2026

Rome

Italy