JA Europe Company of the Year

About the award

The JA Europe Company of the Year Award recognises the mini-companies and young people who best demonstrated their business acumen and spirit of entrepreneurship, following their participation to the JA Company Programme. The jury will nominate 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the JA Company of the Year 2025 Award.

Criteria

Innovation and Value Creation 15%:

1. How well is the business problem and opportunity clearly defined?

2. How does the solution fulfill a customer need, has resonance and desirability?

3. How impactful is the proposed solution on society & human lives (social, ethical and environmental issues)?

Market and Competition 15%:

4. Did the team clearly identify the target market and the market potential of their product/service?

5. Did the team show an understanding of their competition and their product/service differentiation in relation to them?

Finances 30%:

6. How compelling is the business model (realistic and viable)? Were objectives reviewed and updated regularly?

6.1 To what extent has the company a good financial performance and financial controls in place?

Management & Team 30%:

7. Does the team exhibit the experience and skills required for operation? Has the team managed to recruit advisors when needed?

7.1 To what extent has the company operated effectively and has an effective system to manage and record its operation?

Ability to Demonstrate Achievements in Learning 10%:

8. To what extent are team members able to reflect on competence development (creativity, self-efficacy, taking initiative, teamwork, resourcefulness, perseverance, taking responsibility)?

Judges

Emilios Kyriacou

CITI CEO and Banking Head Greece, Cyprus & Malta