Techcrunch is celebrating the tech scene in Europe with the first Europe-wide awards  for technology innovation: “The Europas” - The TechCrunch Europe Awards 2009 - that will honour the best tech companies and startups across the web and mobile scene from across the continent of Europe. And voting by the public, you! ends tonight. The Europas Advisory Board will advise on the selection of the top companies voted for per award category, winner and, only where appropriate, also advise on the selection of a ‘Highly Commended’ award finalists they wish to recognise. The awards ceremony will take place July 9 in London, UK. The categories are as follows and voting can be done HERE.

Award categories
Best European Web Application Or Service
Best Design
Best Bootstrapped Startup (less than 3 years old)
Best Social Innovation (which benefits society)
Best Enterprise Startup
Best Cleantech/Environmental Startup
Best Hardware / Real World Gadget
Best Entertainment Application or Service
Best Mobile Startup
Best Mobile Application
Best Startup Founder
Best New Startup in 2008/9
Best European Investor of the Year (VC or Angel fund)
Best Investor Personality
Best Overall Winner


Among the most compelling technology startups, Internet and mobile innovations of the past year, there are the following women involved (if you want to read about them, just search them on the website TheNextWomen, we have a profile on all of them):

Best STARTUP FOUNDER
Alicia Navarro, Skimlinks
Cary Marsh, Mydeo
Maria Sipka, Linqia
Martha Lane Fox, Luckyvoice
Rachel Armitage, Alistair Hann, jointly, Zoombu
Sarah McVittie, Texperts
Shaa Wasmund, Smarta
Sophie Cox, Worldeka
Wendy White, Moonfruit

Europas Best New Startup Summer 2009-2009
Smarta- Founder Shaa Wasmund

Best WEB APPLICATION
Amazee-Founder Dania Gerhardt

Dopplr-Founder Lisa Sounio

Hubdub- Founder Lesley Eccles

Myngle- Marina Tognetti

Stardoll-Founder Liisa

Webjam- BD Director Lexie Mendelsohn

Best BOOTSTRAPPED STARTUP
MyFolia.com- Founder Nicola

Best Entertainment Application
Best MOBILE STARTUP
Mippin- CEO Judy Gibbons

AudioBoo- Co-founder Karen Braber

Best INVESTOR PERSONALITY
Angel Gambino, Angel
Reshma Sohoni, Seedcamp (she is also on the advisory board of the Awards)

Sitar Teli, Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures
Sonali de Rijcker, Accel Partners
Best SOCIAL INNOVATION
Amazee- Dana Gerhardt
Dopplr- Lisa Sounio
Worldeka-Sophie Cox