European Institute of Innovation and Technology innovators receive Forbes recognition

Eighteen entrepreneurs affiliated with European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) have been recognised in the second annual Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list, which honours 300 of, “the brightest young entrepreneurs, breakout talents and change agents” in 10 different sectors.

EIT, headquartered in Budapest, has innovators represented in five categories – industry, social entrepreneurs, technology, science and healthcare, and e-commerce.

The recognition is much-needed bit of good news for the beleaguered institute, after last year’s damaging review from the EU Court of Auditors, which concluded that the EIT “is not the impact-driven institute envisaged.”

Among the innovators that make it onto the Forbes list are Italians Saverio Murgia and Luca Nardelli, who are behind Eyra, a company using artificial intelligence to create wearable devices for people who are blind and visually impaired. The devices are capable of translating visual images, such as a menu, road sign or zebra crossing into audio to inform the wearer of what is in front of them.

Alex Bond was recognised for his company Fresh Check, which has created a simple colour change system for food packaging that can alert a customer when food has spoiled. It received support from the EIT’s climate accelerator in 2015.

Freddy Macnamara’s company, Cuvva, offers a new type of car insurance. People who borrow a car from friends or family can use an app to buy short-term car insurance. This provides users with a number of benefits such as the ability to car share, to reduce their carbon footprint or stamp down on drink driving.

Martin McGloin and Sabine Pole, entrepreneurs from Estonia, are recognised for ‘Sorry as a Service’, which dispatches “physical apologies”, such as a cake or a personalised gift set.

See the full list of winners here