The winners of this year’s EIT Awards, which aim to promote innovation in the fields of climate, energy, digitalisation, food, health, manufacturing, raw materials and urban mobility, were announced at the EIT Summit in Brussels. Twenty-seven nominees competed in an online semi-final on 29 September, after which 12 finalists were chosen and ranked by an international jury, with an additional prize being awarded through a public vote. The 12 finalists fall into four main categories: Change Award, Innovators Award, Venture Award as well as Women Leadership Award. All awards highlight exceptional individuals supported by and involved with the EIT Community.

Catherine Schreiber, the Deputy-CEO and co-founder of ADVITOS, was ranked first in the Women Leadership Award as recognition for her entrepreneurial and social achievements. Together with Assoc.-Prof. Dr Bernhard Kreymann, ADVITOS founder and inventor of the 4-in-1 organ support therapy ADVOS, she developed the ADVOS device from scratch, launching it from an idea to an EU market-approved (CE mark) product.

Catherine Schreiber said: “Finalists Andrea Barber, Sabrina Malpede and myself have in common that we not only successfully scaled highly innovative start-ups, but also tackle societal challenges by volunteering and starting social initiatives. In my case, I have launched and financed a mental strength for founders programme consisting of mental training, professional coaching and peer support, and I advise the trauma support group for immigrant, non-German speaking women in Munich. I am truly honoured to receive this outstanding recognition. ADVITOS has highly benefited from valuable EIT support in the past, especially the EIT Digital Access to Finance active fundraising support was opening doors to investors, which otherwise would have been closed.

I dedicate this price to company and ADVOS inventor Bernhard Kreymann, my strongest supporter, my closest companion and beloved best friend who sadly died from a heart attack in July 2022. Bernhard’s commitment, sense of responsibility and great humanity will always be the example I want to live up to.”

Nektarios Tavernarakis, Chair of the EIT Governing Board, said: “I want to congratulate the achievements of this year’s winners and nominees who have distinguished themselves with their transformative solutions. As Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, the EIT’s mission is to drive innovation forward and bring together business, research and education to solve global challenges. Each of the 2022 EIT Award winners emulate this mission, and we will continue to support these and other entrepreneurs through every step of their journey, from their initial idea to a successful product or service for a brighter Europe.”

As Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, the EIT strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body which is an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The Institute supports the development of dynamic pan-European partnerships – EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities – among leading companies, research labs and universities. Furthermore the EIT brings together over 3400 partners across more than 200 innovation hubs in Europe and beyond. It is the only innovation body with a presence in every EU state.

For more information about the EIT Awards please visit EIT Awards 2022 | European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) (europa.eu)

About ADVITOS GmbH

Munich-based ADVITOS GmbH develops and markets the CE-certified and worldwide patented 4-in-1 ADVOS therapy (ADVanced Organ Support) – the first therapy for multi-organ support integrated in a single device. The ADVOS procedure improves patient survival by simultaneously supporting the three main detoxification organs of the human body: kidneys, liver, and lungs. The therapy enables the fluid-based removal of water-soluble toxins (kidney), protein-bound toxins (liver, kidney), and CO2 (lung). In addition, the ADVOS procedure enables the rapid correction of the acid-base balance through the targeted change of the blood pH. The ADVOS therapy is used in intensive care units at 20 leading hospitals in Germany and Austria. ADVITOS GmbH receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

About the Mental Strength for Founders Programme in Memoriam Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Kreymann

Based on her own experience, Catherine Schreiber has launched a training programme for mental and emotional resilience for founders. In cooperation with mental Coach Kim van Niekerk, Catherine designed this 8 month training programme consisting of mental training, professional coaching and peer support. The first cohort has started in October 2022; the next cohort is planned to start in February 2023. To make this programme affordable to founders, she co-financed the programme with her LaMonachia Business Woman Award money, which Catherine received in 2021.

Mental Strength for Founders hosted by Catherine Schreiber (mykajabi.com)