This category celebrates early-stage innovation that holds real potential to disrupt the status quo and accelerate the transition. It’s for projects and ventures that may still be small but are bold, visionary, and built on credible pathways to scale. From lab pilots to start-ups, this award honours those who are proving that new ideas can take root and grow into game-changers.

The global transition depends on low-carbon energy, and this category recognises the pioneers making it happen. From sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable hydrogen to breakthrough enabling systems like digital registries and tracking tools, these solutions are addressing some of the toughest challenges in energy. Entrants must show evidence of impact, scalability, and resilience in the face of real-world conditions.

Materials and products are the building blocks of the bioeconomy. This award recognises commercially viable innovations that replace fossil-based, linear models with sustainable, circular alternatives. It highlights products that reduce environmental footprints while still delivering quality and performance, showing that ‘better for the planet’ can also mean ‘better for business.

Procurement has the power to make or break markets for sustainable solutions. This award honours organisations embedding sustainability into purchasing practices, from long-term offtake agreements to supplier engagement programmes that reduce risk, build resilience, and create measurable impact. Winners demonstrate that buying better isn’t just compliance; it’s strategy.

Communities and civil society organisations are often where the transition takes root. This category honours NGOs, coalitions, and community-led initiatives that deliver measurable environmental outcomes while driving social progress. It’s about leadership that ensures the bioeconomy is inclusive, just, and grounded in the realities of people’s lives.