About the Innovation Awards

Automotive suppliers drive the future of transport, investing €30 billion in European R&D every year. The CLEPA Innovation Awards celebrate the breakthrough technologies making European mobility greener and more connected.

Whether you are a start-up, an SME, a multinational corporation, or a research institution, this is your opportunity to showcase your work and gain recognition across Europe.

Judging Criteria

An expert jury will evaluate submissions based on four key factors:

Ambition: How bold and innovative is the technology?
Market impact: Does it solve a real commercial need?
Feasibility: How practical is it to manufacture and implement?
Societal contribution: How does it benefit the public and the environment?

The Awards Ceremony

Top Innovators will be announced at our live event in Brussels on 19 November. Winners will be celebrated in front of an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and the media.

Application details & Fees

Large companies: A fee of €220 (+ VAT) applies per application to cover evaluation and administrative costs. Please note: Only paid applications will be assessed.
SMEs & Start-ups: You are eligible for a waived submission fee if your company meets the SME definition by the European Commission.
Multiple submissions: You are welcome to submit several different technologies. Just keep in mind that the fee rules apply to each individual entry.

Why do organisations apply?

Achieve recognition

Your innovations will be carefully evaluated by an expert jury. Selected technologies will be named as Top Innovators, gaining prominence within the mobility ecosystem, and across various media outlets.

Gain expert insights

Top Innovators will hear from industry experts as they share insights, solutions, and challenges on technological deployment, barriers, opportunities, and trends shaping the Green and Digital transition.

Elevate your brand

Top Innovators receive significant exposure across CLEPA communication platforms and publications. Showcase your groundbreaking solutions on a European level to enhance your brand's reputation and visibility.

Network with industry leaders

Establish new connections with influential business leaders and decision-makers from the mobility ecosystem, including OEMs, policymakers and key Brussels stakeholders.

Categories

Digital

Connected & Automated Driving
(Software-defined vehicle and Hardware architecture, Environment-perception sensors, Decision-making, AI, HD mapping, V2X...)
User-centric Experience
(HMI, Multi-sensorial perception, Comfort, Augmented reality, Inclusive vehicle design...)
Safety & Security
(Cybersecurity, Crashworthiness, Protection of vehicle occupants, Protection of vulnerable road users, Advanced braking systems...)

The mobility technology industry is in the midst of a historic transformation, driven by digitalisation. This includes the development of new systems, software, and intelligent components that enhance vehicle performance, safety, and quality. Connectivity and automation are revolutionising personal mobility, improving comfort, productivity, and interactions with the vehicle's surroundings. The 'Digital' category recognises smart solutions within the mobility ecosystem.

Green

Electrification and alternative powertrains
(Battery technologies, BMS, Renewable fuels and Fuel-cell systems, Electric motors, Power electronics, EV recharging, Range extenders, On-board fuel storage...)
Green services
(Battery swapping, Recycling services...)
Sustainable product
(Materials, Circularity, LCA, Eco-design, Lightweighting, Manufacturing...)

The EU is committed to minimising global environmental impact in the battle against climate change and air pollution. The mobility technology industry actively supports this goal by delivering solutions that improve vehicle performance and efficiency, developing sustainable materials, creating new systems, and improving powertrains and processes. The 'Green' category recognises innovations towards more sustainable and climate-neutral mobility.

The jury

Below are the names of the international jury panel contributing to the 2025-edition:

Aldo Offenheimer - I2M
Bernhard Brandstätter - EARPA
Gaetano de Paola - EARPA
Guido Sacchetto - European Commission
Ines Munoz Sanchez - IDIADA
Massimo Delogu - UNIFI
Gianpiero Mastinu - Politecnico di Milano
Omar Hegazy - VUB
Simon Edwards - Ricardo Consulting
Thilo Bein - Fraunhofer
Zissis Samaras - AUTH
Anna Larsson - RISE
Adrià Ferrer - IDIADA
Andrea De Candido - European Commission
Joost Vantomme - ERTICO
Margriet Van Schijndel-De Nooij - Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Oihana Otaegui Madurga - Vicomtech
Ingrid Skogsmo - ECTRI
Magnus Granström - Safer
Michael Nöst - A3PS
Michele De Gennaro - Austrian Institute of Technology
Ragnhild Wahl - ITS Norway
Ezio Spessa - Politecnico di Milano
Marzena Jougounoux - CCAM
Lydia Eckhard - Deloitte
David Müller - Deloitte
Elmar Pritsch - Deloitte
Aled Walker - Deloitte
Erik Thorwirth - Deloitte
Corina Cruceru - Deloitte

Testimonials

"The major challenge in the Automotive Industry is the software-led transformation that will redefine the way vehicles are engineered, built and operated. AI is predestined to master this transformation in a smart, efficient, and user-centric way"

Elmar Pritsch

Partner Software Defined-Vehicle, Deloitte

"The CLEPA Innovation Awards aim to recognise and promote the rapid evolution of technologies and breakthrough innovations, crucial in our quest to effectively reduce the environmental impact and ensure the sustainability of road transport"

David Storer

Director Research, Innovation, New Mobility, CLEPA

"Great to be in the CLEPA Innovation Awards jury also in 2024! Truly inspiring to see the innovations and their potential applications and impact. It’s an honour to have first-hand insights and have an outlook of how AI and digitalisation will further shape automotive and its development"

Margriet Van Schijndel-De Nooij

Program director Responsible Mobility at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven

"I am delighted to review the latest safety innovations from CLEPA’s members and applicants. It demonstrates each year the huge potential of European suppliers in designing a safer mobility for all. Alongside with infrastructure and drivers, vehicle technology is a key lever to deliver vision zero and I’m very happy to engage with CLEPA on this journey. "

Laurianne Krid

Director General FIA Region I

"Innovation in the field of connectivity and automation is enabling the deployment of smart mobility. Stakeholders of the ecosystem between road operators, OEMs, and automotive suppliers play an important role to guarantee the full roll-out of connected and automated mobility. The selected CLEPA innovations and technologies are paving the way to a more resource-efficient transport system and providing society with better, greener, and safer mobility. "

Jacqueline Erhart

ASECAP Chair on ITS & Autonomous Driving

"Europe’s prosperity is directly tied to its readiness for the future, and innovation is the instrument that allows Europe to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. In this respect I am honoured to be supporting the CLEPA Innovation Awards that are showing the way towards greener, safer, affordable and more inclusive mobility solutions"

Andrea De Candido

Policy Officer - Future Urban and Mobility Systems at DG RTD - European Commission

Past applicants

Organisations that have actively submitted their technology contributions to this competition:

CLEPA Innovation Awards

Prime competition in the automotive supply industry

Submit your entries by 18 May