Sweden and Finland Honored Onstage
Swedish Minister Ebba Busch and Finland’s U.S. Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola accepted the "Innovation Champion" title on stage at CES 2025 in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning. The award recognizes global leadership in fostering innovation and inclusivity.
The Global Scorecard Winners ceremony, held at the Palazzo Ballroom, was introduced by Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
“Countries have the political, economic, and demographic realities that catalyze innovators to invent the future. By celebrating the best of the best, our innovation champions, we encourage other countries to follow their lead,” Shapiro said.
Sweden’s Minister for Energy and the Minister for Business and Industry, Ebba Busch, and Finland’s Ambassador to the U.S., Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, were present and accepted the awards for their countries on stage.
Presented every two years, the Innovation Champion title was first awarded in 2019.
The Innovation Scorecard evaluates 74 countries on 40 indicators across 17 categories, including digital infrastructure, workforce diversity, tax policies, and environmental standards. For its fourth edition, the Scorecard expanded to assess additional nations, encompassing the G20, all EU members, and emerging markets advancing innovations in fields like healthcare and transportation.
Sweden and Finland were among 27 countries named "Innovation Champions," joined by Denmark, Norway, and others demonstrating excellence in global innovation.
Since the Innovation Scorecard's inception in 2019, a total of 30 countries have earned the "Innovation Champion" title across its four editions. These nations include consistent winners like Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, as well as the United States, Japan, and Germany. The award recognizes countries excelling in fostering technological innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development.