iCapital 2027 Launch Event
📍 Aalborg, Denmark - Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Utzon Center, AalborgFresh off winning the European Rising Innovative City Award 2026, Aalborg is stepping into the role of host city for the official launch of the iCapital Awards 2027 — the European Commission's flagship competition recognising cities that push the boundaries of innovation for their citizens.
The morning event at the Utzon Center brings together European innovation leaders for a panel debate on green transition and place-based innovation, before EISMEA's Francesca Doria formally launches the 2027 competition. Speakers include representatives from Aalborg University, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Aalborg Municipality itself.
About the iCapital Awards
Run under the EU's Horizon Europe programme, the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) recognises cities that open their governance to experimentation and use technology to address societal challenges - from climate change to social cohesion.
Past winners include Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Athens, and most recently Turin.
The competition has two categories:
- European Capital of Innovation — cities of 250,000+ inhabitants. Winner receives €1,000,000; two runners-up receive €100,000 each.
- European Rising Innovative City — cities of 50,000–249,999 inhabitants. Winner receives €500,000; two runners-up receive €50,000 each.
Aalborg won the Rising City category in 2026, joining past winners Vantaa, Haarlem, Linköping, and Braga. All winners and runners-up are invited into the iCapital alumni network - a peer exchange community for cities tackling shared urban challenges.
How Aalborg won the European Rising Innvative City 2026 Award
Learn more about why Aalborg won and the projects within the application.
Together, the projects illustrate how Aalborg works with innovation: across industries, institutions, and society.
From Left: Momchil Sabev - EISMEA Director, Jon Insaustil Maisterrena - Mayor, City of San Sebastian, Representative from City of Nicosia and Lasse Frimand Jensen - Mayor, City of Aalborg.
Meet Catharina Vinther Engqvist
Head of Foreign Direct Investments, Invest in Aalborg
Catharina and the team at Invest in Aalborg are your one-point-of contact to the City of Aalborg. We can help you with information, facts and network that make all the difference when you consider Aalborg as your business destination.
Let's help you build your business case.