Explanation of the evaluation procedure

Are you wondering how the winners of the KVK Innovation Top 100 are chosen? There are 3 steps. First, the professional jury evaluates the innovations per category and chooses the 100 nominations. This is followed by the public vote. Together, these determine the winners of the 5 categories. The main jury then chooses the overall winner from these 5. Plus they select the winner of the Innovation Promise of 2025. 

1. First selection

When the competition closes at the end of July, we check whether the entries meet the criteria. 

2. Jury assessment

Once the entries per category are known, the jury determines the 20 best innovations per category in August. Each category has at least 3 jury members. These jury members are independent experts in the field of the category. For example, a well-known entrepreneur, a former KVK Innovation Top 100 winner, or a journalist.

The 100 innovations are nominated based on originality, impact on the category, responsible business conduct (RBC), and entrepreneurship. The jury uses a points system. You can earn between 0 and 25 points per criterion, or between 0 and 100 in total.

The jury's verdict counts for 80% of the result.

3. Public votes

The remaining 20% of the assessment is determined by the number of public votes. The innovations with the most votes from the public in each category are awarded 20, 19, 18, etc, down to 1 point. The 100 nominations will be posted on the website in the autumn. Share your nomination with your network and ask them to vote for your innovation. The public can vote until mid-October. 

4. The winners

In October, after the public has cast its vote, the main jury meets. The jury consists of 3 people: 2 prominent entrepreneurs in the field of innovation and sustainable business and the chair of the KVK Board of Directors. They will choose one overall winner from the winners of each of the 5 categories. And in 2025, for the first time, the jury will award the Innovation Promise for the start-up with the most innovative idea in each category.