Akara co-founder and Chief Robotics Officer Niamh Donnelly has won the Rising Innovator Award at the 2022 EU Prize for Women Innovators.

The awards, held on December 7th 2022 in Brussels, recognises Europe’s women creating groundbreaking innovations. Six winners were chosen from Ireland, Bulgaria, France, Portugal and Spain. Ms. Donnelly was joined by fellow Irish leader Dr. Ciara Clancy of Beats Medical who also received an award.

This award recognises Ms. Donnelly’s exceptional contribution to advancing healthcare technology in Europe as she pioneers the development of Akara’s disinfection robots.

Joe Healy of Enterprise Ireland said:

“This is great news for Ireland and reflects the notable rise of our women entrepreneurs in the start-up sector in this country. There were 14 finalists shortlisted for the six prizes, two of which were from Ireland. Both Dr Ciara Clancy of Beats Medical and Niamh Donnelly of Akara Robotics went on to win the overall prizes highlighting the international competitiveness and recognition of the calibre of women entrepreneurs emerging from Ireland.”