This year’s finalists, coming from 8 countries across Europe, were chosen by a stellar panel of judges, including Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, President of Estonia 2016-2021 Kersti Kaljulaid and Roxanne Varza from Station F in Paris.

Meet the 20 Under 20

Julian Fernández, Spain

Winner of the Wise 20 Under 20
Founder of FOSSA Systems. FOSSA provides low-cost, global IoT connectivity via their satellites to monitor industrial application assets, even in areas without terrestrial coverage.
Terri Duhon, NED and Risk Chair, Morgan Stanley International and Independent NED, Wise, said: Julian has come up with an amazingly successful business. Low orbit satellites are definitely a hot topic and IoT in agriculture is very interesting.

Matteo Hon, Italy

Founder of Top Music Marketing, which supports musical artists of all genres with a platform to grow organically and exponentially.
Nadia Costanzo, Head of Banking for MEA and Latin America, Wise, said: Gen Z sees the world differently, and music is one of the ways they express that through. Matteo is already having an impact in music industry, which is exceptional, and I’ll be keeping an eye out to see what’s next for him!

Elis Hodzic, Sweden

Social Entreprise Special Award of the Wise 20 Under 20
Founder of HappyLife. HappyLife offers non-medical care for the elderly. The company has the ambition to revolutionise the industry by building bridges between the generations.
Terri Duhon, NED and Risk Chair, Morgan Stanley International and Independent NED, Wise, said: Post Covid there’s been more of a spotlight on how older people are treated in different societies, so there’s potentially a lot of need for this.

Miguel García-Rubio, Spain

GreenTech Special Award of the Wise 20 Under 20
Founder of Naturalmood. Naturalmood offers solid and locally manufactured cosmetic products, which translates into more efficiency in production and transport, and a reduction in the use of plastic.
Terri Duhon, NED and Risk Chair, Morgan Stanley International and Independent NED, Wise, said: Great idea. Definitely a lot of interest in something like this given the increasing awareness of sustainability. I’ve often worried about the sustainability issues around makeup myself.

Pau Pavón, Spain

EdTech Special Award of the Wise 20 Under 20
Founder of Examfy. Examfy uses optical recognition and AI to help teachers correct exams. Once each exam is scanned with the mobile phone, Examfy analyses and sorts them by name and grade, and allows them to publish notes or share the documents with students or their parents.
Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia 2016-2021 , said: Teachers need more time to socialise and really communicate. If exams and tests get corrected faster, more efficiently, then there’s more time and energy left for higher quality communication. As simple as that!

Ali Osman Büyükkarabacak, Turkey

Founder of Teens In Innovation. Teens In Innovation organises digital and physical events for high school students, building a community of young entrepreneurs to help them launch their own startups.
Ida Johansson, winner of Wise 20 Under 20 2021 and CEO and founder of Turn Consulting, said: Ali is a passionate entrepreneur with the mission of making entrepreneurship available to more people.

Artur Sepp, Estonia

Founder of Spotter, company that manufactures tracking devices for disc golf, making the game faster and preventing the discs from being lost.
Nadia Costanzo, Head of Banking for MEA and Latin America, Wise, said: Innovating in the sports industry is definitely not an easy-to-achieve mission. Still, Artur has disrupted disc golf with his business and I’m sure this is just the beginning.

Davis Zöllner, Germany

Founder of MyTaag, which creates digital business cards for a greener world.
Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia 2016-2021 , said: It’s so true that most business cards are thrown away. I like the tag line “network like you’re in 2030” and I can see the appeal to large corporates.

Eike Czada, Germany

Founder of Twentyone Studios, a marketing services and consulting company.
Nadia Costanzo, Head of Banking for MEA and Latin America, Wise, said: Twentyone Studios bring the Gen Z creativity to businesses so they can boost their digital presence and set them apart. I’m truly impressed with Eike’s B2B business.

Ekaterina Demenkova, Belarus

Founder of PODIL, an app that uses AI to allow you to track your health, learn how your body works and achieve your wellness goals.
Ida Johansson, winner of Wise 20 Under 20 2021 and CEO and founder of Turn Consulting, said: With change-making in focus, PODIL aims to make health data more available and accessible.

Flynn Blackie, the UK

Founder of MOD Digital, an agency creating campaigns that bring their clients real leads and revenue by helping them build & nurture relationships.
Ida Johansson, winner of Wise 20 Under 20 2021 and CEO and founder of Turn Consulting, said: With client experience in focus, MOD Digital helps its customers to get more leads and revenue in a new thinking and Gen Z-way.

James Skipworth, the UK

Founder of Cydekik. Cydekik is a data management SaaS.
Terri Duhon, NED and Risk Chair, Morgan Stanley International and Independent NED, Wise, said: Great initiative to create and build a business from scratch.

John D. Johnston, the UK

Founder of Evolution E-commerce, a platform for individuals and businesses to buy and sell exclusively sustainable clothing, be that new sustainably produced clothing or old/pre-loved clothing.
Terri Duhon, NED and Risk Chair, Morgan Stanley International and Independent NED, Wise, said: The timing is great ,given the huge wave of sustainability awareness that is happening.

Joosep Lukin, Arti Henri Lukk and Sten Ingerainen, Estonia

Founders of Seif Design, a company manufacturing uniquely designed minimalistic and comfortable stone wallets.
Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia 2016-2021, said: A wallet made from stone is as sustainable as it gets! A true counter to things with a short lifespan, hopefully lasting from father to son. I love it when things don’t break or wear away.

Philipp Straub, Germany

Founder of Maderablocks, a company that manufactures children’s toys out of wood.
Ida Johansson, winner of Wise 20 Under 20 2021 and CEO and founder of Turn Consulting, said: Handcrafted wood toys at its finest.

Rasmus Riim, Chris-Rico Lang and Henry Kask, Estonia

Founder of Drycycle. Drycycle puts its efforts into getting people to choose a more environmentally friendly way of transport by producing bicycle accessories for a more convenient ride.
Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia 2016-2021, said: In the city, cycling is one of the best and fastest, but not necessarily the safest or the most comfortable way of commuting. Anything that helps alleviate this lack of comfort and adds to the days we cycle, is a win in my book!

Rory McLaughlan, the UK

Founder of Mystery Shirt in a Box. A mystery football shirt is the perfect gift for friends or the ideal purchase to spice up your wardrobe.
Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F, co-founder of StarHer and Tech.eu, said: I love the fun concept and I think anything related to football fandom is HUGE.

Uku Allikvere, Estonia

Founder of Neotime. Neotime manufactures multi-functional clocks from Soviet-time recycled neon glow gas lamps.
Terri Duhon, NED and Risk Chair, Morgan Stanley International and Independent NED, Wise, said: Super interesting – very unique. Love the recycling angle and the idea of using old and new tech.

Varvara Huchak

Founder of Edrecy. Edrecy is an AI-powered web-platform that helps people who struggle with eating disorders, via professional support, as well as with useful resources.
Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia 2016-2021, said: Eating disorders are a noteworthy category in our ongoing mental health crisis. Simple, accessible and discreet solutions are really important!