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Introducing the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship Award finalists
AmCham EU and JA Europe are pleased to announce the finalists for this year’s AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2025. The award, now in its 13th edition, recognises young people’s entrepreneurial spirit and aims to foster innovation in Europe. The finalists were selected from a pool of applicants from all over Europe. The winner will be selected by a high-level jury and announced on Thursday, 12 June at our Gala evening.
BioBliss
Entrepreneur: Sophia Plamenova Nikolova
Country of origin: Bulgaria
BioBliss is a sustainable business that transforms organic waste into eco-friendly button-cell batteries, which are used to power small portable electronics devices. These offer a renewable alternative to lithium and cobalt-based solutions. Founded on the principle of the circular economy, BioBliss reclaims valuable materials from organic by-products to create affordable, high-performance batteries that meet both environmental and market demands. By replacing rare minerals with hard carbon sourced from bio-waste, the company combines innovation with sustainability to deliver a product line that reduces landfill emissions, supports resource efficiency and advances the transition to a greener economy.
Sophia Nikolova, Founder and CEO of BioBliss, is a high school student from Sofia, Bulgaria, who is active in international youth programmes and environmental initiatives.
TecH2Ocean
Entrepreneur: María Martínez Gómez
Country of origin: Spain
TecH2Ocean is a clean-tech company focused on decentralised water reuse solutions. Founded on the principle of promoting circular water systems, TecH2Ocean develops smart, modular technologies that recycle greywater using solar energy, nanofiltration and intelligent automation. Through its flagship initiative, the ADSOL project, the company offers solutions like the ‘Water Battery’, designed to serve the residential, industrial and public sectors. By combining innovation with sustainability, TecH2Ocean aims to increase access to clean water, reduce environmental impact and accelerate the transition to a greener economy.
María Martínez Gómez, Co-Founder and Project Manager of TecH2Ocean, is from Spain and holds a degree in Mechanical and Industrial Design Engineering and an MBA.
Voon
Entrepreneur: Eliise Lehtsaar
Country of origin: Estonia
Voon is an award-winning greentech start-up that turns waste wool into eco-friendly air filters. Founded on the principles of circular design and sustainability, Voon offers an innovative solution that reduces environmental impact, improves indoor air quality and promotes greener practices in the construction sector. By turning natural waste materials into high-performance filters, the company supports resource efficiency, advances clean technology and contributes to a more sustainable environment.
Eliise Lehtsaar, CEO and Co-Founder of Voon, leads the company’s efforts to drive environmental change through nature-based solutions.
Each year, the Youth Entrepreneurship Award celebrates outstanding entrepreneurs who are tackling pressing societal challenges through innovation, sustainability and purpose-driven leadership. The finalists were selected through a competitive evaluation process led by AmCham EU and JA Europe.