BE OPEN thanks everyone who submitted their initiatives and thus contributed to this programme in an array of meaningful, innovative and passionate ways. With enormous gratitude to the amazing jury panel we announce the winners of the First, Second and Third prizes. And of course we appreciate everyone who has taken time and effort to review the submissions and cast their votes in the public vote section.
- First Prize Winner
The 5000 euro grant goes to Norah Kimathi, a 2026 graduate from Strathmore University, Kenya. Norah is BA of Science in Informatics, Computer Science and Robotics Engineering. Her project Zerobionic. is an AI-powered robotic exoskeleton designed to improve access to STEM education for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls.
- Second Prize Winner
The Second Prize of 3,000 euro goes to Victress Igboanusim from the Imo State University, Nigeria for her Calyx-Probe, a handheld AI-powered diagnostic device designed to improve access to non-invasive reproductive healthcare.
- Third Prize Winner
The Third Prize of 2,000 euro to Lennox Omondi and his team members Dullah Shiltone, Keylie Muthoni and Brian Ndung’u, 2024 graduates from St. Paul’s University, Kenya. Their submission Ecobana is a circular manufacturing project that transforms banana agricultural waste into biodegradable sanitary pads for women and girls in underserved communities.
- Public Vote Winner
The Prize of 2,000 euro goes to Akshat Shah, Harshavi Patel, and Aryaa Bhagwat, graduates from the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University, India for their project Samvaad Saathi: Service Enabling Financial Inclusion for Women Daily-Wage Construction Workers that provides guided, step-by-step facilitation to managing women’s financial autonomy.
- Founder’s Choice Winner
The Prize of 3,000 euro allocated by Elena Baturina goes to Ellena Vianne, Tria Indah Lestari, Farida Doa Valentina and Adnan Hasyim Wibowo from Universitas Indonesia for the Roots Menstrual Care System. Roots is a sustainable menstrual care system designed for tropical rainforest conditions that combines biodegradable menstrual products made from locally sourced natural materials, women-led economic models, and culturally grounded health education.