Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital), in partnership with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, has unveiled the 17 finalists for the inaugural MWCapital Awards: Technologies for a Sustainable Future.
These awards recognize breakthrough innovations that harness technology, sustainability, and digital transformation to create a more inclusive, equitable, and environmentally responsible future, in alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
The first edition of the awards attracted 157 submissions from 34 countries, with the final 17 projects spanning 11 nations. The finalists include a wide mix of startups, corporations, NGOs, academic institutions, and public agencies addressing critical global challenges in areas such as:
- Healthcare
- Biodiversity
- Urban Sustainability
- Misinformation
- Circular Economy
- Smart Urban Planning
- Digital Public Services
- Brain Monitoring for Stroke Care
- AI for Combating Disinformation
A panel of global experts in sustainability, innovation, and digital technology will evaluate the finalists based on innovation, scalability, and real-world impact. Esteemed jury members include:
- John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd.
- Irene Kaggwa, Director General of the Uganda Communications Commission and GIGA Representative
- Antonio Torralba, MIT Professor
- Xavier Sala i Martin, Economist and Columbia University Professor
Additional judges from Spain represent leading institutions such as B Lab Spain, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, and AMETIC.
Six outstanding projects will be honored, with one receiving the prestigious Barcelona Horizon Award, including €50,000 in funding to pilot their solution in Barcelona. All winners will also gain global visibility by showcasing their work at MWC26 Barcelona, attracting the attention of investors, partners, and international media.
This initiative reinforces Barcelona’s position as a global hub for purpose-driven innovation and catalyzes a worldwide movement toward ethical, inclusive digital transformation.
The final winners will be announced during a special awards ceremony on June 12, 2025, hosted at Torre Glòries in Barcelona.
