Official Partner of the Design Intelligence Award, organized by the China Academy of Art
The Foundation of Design Promotion in Europe and China is an official partner of the Design Intelligence Award. Using our invitation code NL2026-Q5K9B2Y, selected entries are shortlisted for the second-round evaluation of the Design Intelligence Award, increasing the visibility and competitiveness of your submission.
Join entrepreneurs, innovators & designers to win up to €500k in funding
Design Intelligence Award 2026
The 11th edition of the Design Intelligence Award calls for outstanding designs and innovations. Free to enter, with the opportunity to win one of the prizes in the €500k prize fund. Founders, companies, designers, and students are invited to enter their innovative products, services, and projects.
How to participate?
1. USE our invitation code
NL2026-Q5K9B2Y
Use code for:
- No entry fee
- Phase 1 and 2 (extended) entry deadline
- Extended support during application
Using our invitation code, selected entries are shortlisted for the second-round evaluation of the Design Intelligence Award, increasing the visibility and competitiveness of your submission.
2. START YOUR ENTRY
The submission deadline is Jun. 30, 2025 (5 PM CEST). Check whether our invite code has been entered automatically (NL2026-Q5K9B2Y)
3. LET US KNOW YOU PARTICIPATED
After completing your submission, please email us at dia@designpromotion.org so we can provide further support where needed.
Award setting
Entry is free of charge, with no fees for collecting an award. The total prize pool is approximately €500k. Solutions from all industries and application fields are welcome. You may enter commercial products or concepts in the prototype stage.
- Product Group: Includes commercially available products launched within the past 2 years and unreleased concepts that have reached the prototype or sample stage.
Product & concept Group
Gold Award
4 awards, ±€37.000/award
SILVER Award
16 awards, ±12.500/award
BRONZE AWARD
20 awards, ±€3.750/award
In addition, the Excellent Nomination Award will be granted to 50 entries nominated by the Jury Panel and the DIA Academic Committee, and the Honorable Mention Award will be presented to approximately 300 entries, with all awardees receiving a trophy and certificate. The final number of Honorable Mention recipients is subject to the evaluation results.
More information
Participating in the Design Intelligence Award (DIA) offers a platform to showcase your design innovations globally, access a €500k prize fund, and connect with a vast network of experts. Join this prestigious event to benchmark against top designers and elevate your work to new heights.
Important links:
Design Intelligence Award – summary & information
Submission steps (how do I submit?)
Discover the Design Intelligence Award in 25 minutes
For the last 3 years, minor changes have been made to the setup of the award; the video doesn’t display the right price awards.
Join now and receive unique opportunities
Using our invitation code while entering your work provides you with access to extended support and an opportunity to be invited to potential exhibitions in the near future (e.g. Dutch Design Week) – invitation code: NL2026-Q5K9B2Y
Frequently Asked Questions
Why enter?
Receive financial rewards from the €500k prize fund, including up to €125.000 for the gold winner.
Benefit from global media promotion of your work.
Engage in face-to-face exchanges and collaboration with representatives from various industries.
Receive industrial support to accelerate your market expansion.
Access business and trade opportunities in China through the DIA Trade & Business Portal.
Who is eligible to participate?
Individuals, enterprises, universities/colleges, and institutions with original works in industrial design.
You may enter commercial products or concepts in the prototype stage.
- Product Group: Includes commercially available products launched within the past 2 years and unreleased concepts that have reached the prototype stage
What are the participation costs?
There is no application fee for participating in the Design Intelligence Award (DIA). In contrast to other awards that may charge fees for collecting the award, DIA offers a substantial cash prize for winners.
Which designs can we enter?
Solutions for all industries and application fields will be accepted.
In what categories can I enter?
Solutions for all industries and application fields will be accepted.
The entry categories for the Design Intelligence Award (DIA) cover various areas and focus on innovation:
- Cultural Innovation: Reviving traditional culture and creating sustainable designs.
- Life Wisdom: Smart everyday products that make life easier and help vulnerable groups
- Industrial Equipment: Improved equipment and efficient production systems in industry sectors
- Digital Economy: Data-driven ideas and digital designs making a social impact and changing society
Foundation for Design Promotion in Europe and China
We are proud to announce that three of our award-winning entries, which earned over €50,000 for their exceptional designs, participated using our invitation code.
DIA Silver: springtime with lemmo one FROM THE NETHERLANDS WON ±€37.500 in 2023
LEMMO One E+Bike is an innovative urban electric bike that separates the drive system from the mechanical bike. This dual functionality allows it to be a commuter electric bike or a sporty pedal bike. The design enables easy upgrades or repairs, extending the bike’s lifespan. It is dual-purpose, sustainable, and user-friendly.
DIA Future Talents: VANTOT with Sunseeker from the Netherlands won ±€6250 in 2023
Sunseeker by Studio VANTOT is a modular solar-light chain designed to enhance urban environments. Its smart modules use light sensors to move and optimize solar energy capture, mimicking sunflowers. Sunseeker adds playful, interactive elements to cities and provides illumination at night using stored solar power.
DIA YouNG Talent: The Smooth Void-the Lounger won ±7.500 in 2024
The Smooth Void by Maria Wolff Metternich is a sculptural floor lounger that transforms knit textiles into a structural and tactile comfort experience. Its layered cotton-lycra fabric and organic, shell-like form envelop the body, offering multiple ways to sit or recline. Blurring the line between furniture and art, it redefines upholstery as an active part of ergonomic design.
DIA HONORABLE MENTION: Haptics of Cooking in 2021
Haptics of Cooking by Boey Wang is a tactile kitchenware collection that empowers visually impaired individuals through intuitive, touch-based tools. The set includes ergonomic knives, a grooved cutting board, and tactile measuring aids, enabling safe, confident cooking without relying on sight. The design promotes inclusive, sensory-rich experiences and challenges visually dominant kitchen norms.
Participate now
Participate with the invitation code: NL2026-Q5K9B2Y
Design Intelligence Award 2022 – exhibition
Promotional activities
Past activities and entries collected by Foundation Design Promotion in Europe and China on behalf of DIA.
DIA @ Evoluon, Dutch Design Week 2022
Last year, as part of the promotion, the Design Intelligence Award participated at the DDW 2022 in Eindhoven @ the Evoluon. 5 Dutch and 7 international entries were given a platform to present their entry, and over 30.000 visitors were inspired.
Winners using our invitation code
Over 20+ entries using the invitation code from the Design Promotion Foundation were selected as Honourable Mentions by the expert team
DIA @ YKSI EXPO, Dutch Design Week 2021
Two years ago, we promoted the Design Intelligence Award in Dutch Design Week 2021 at Yksi Expo. 5 Dutch and 5 international entries were given a spot to present their work, and to promote and extend their network.
Join now and receive unique opportunities
Using our invitation code while entering your work provides you with access to extended support and an opportunity to be invited to potential exhibitions in the near future (e.g. Dutch Design Week)