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MWCapital Awards Announces 17 Finalists for Innovative Sustainable Tech Projects

On April 10, 2025, Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) announced the selection of 17 finalist projects for the inaugural MWCapital Awards, a vital initiative celebrating technology geared toward sustainability. The awards, conducted in partnership with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, aim to spotlight how tech can contribute meaningfully to environmental and social goals.

A Commitment to Sustainability

The MWCapital Awards focus on recognizing innovative projects that drive the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive world, aligning with the UN's 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The finalists were chosen from a remarkable pool of 157 applications from 34 different countries, showcasing a profound global interest in technological solutions that yield social and environmental benefits.

Selected from 11 countries, the finalists encompass various entities, including startups, established corporations, public institutions, nonprofit organizations, and academic bodies. Their projects range from enhancing energy sustainability to improving health care access, demonstrating a robust commitment to the UN's sustainability agenda.

Meet the Finalists

Here are some notable contenders striving to make a difference:

1. AI for Selective Fishing (Spain) - Developed by Satlink, this AI-enhanced device promotes sustainable fishing by accurately identifying different tuna species underneath Fish Aggregating Devices, contributing to the conservation of marine life (SDG 14).

2. BraiN20® (Spain) - A groundbreaking brain monitoring tool from Time is Brain S.L., this device offers real-time data, enhancing stroke care by providing continuous functional metrics (SDG 3).

3. Data-Driven City for Citizens (Finland) - This smart city initiative from Tampere employs AI and digital twins to foster urban sustainability and engagement among citizens (SDG 11).

4. Embrace the Forest (Brazil) - Led by Umgrauemeio, this project utilizes AI for wildfire management, focusing on prevention, detection, and impact analysis to mitigate CO2 emissions (SDG 13).

5. Gov.pt - Portuguese Digital Wallet (Portugal) - A national app designed to digitize official documents, facilitating smoother access to public services (SDG 16).

6. H2SAREA (Spain) - Nortegas' project proposes integrating green hydrogen into natural gas networks to support decarbonization efforts (SDG 9).

7. Julieta (Colombia) - This portable device, created by Salva Health S.A.S, enables early disease detection without radiation, making healthcare more accessible to underserved populations (SDG 3).

8. Kyiv Digital (Ukraine) - The Kyiv City Council's initiative is a smart city app that enhances urban services and increases citizen safety (SDG 11).

9. Luchando contra la desinformación (Spain) - An AI-powered tool developed by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid that combats misinformation, supporting factual reporting in social discourse (SDG 4).

10. Natura 2000 Passport (Portugal) - An initiative by Palombar that raises awareness about biodiversity conservation within the Natura 2000 network (SDG 15).

11. Nut4Health (Mauritania) - A blockchain-driven program by SIC4Change focused on addressing malnutrition, promising to assist thousands of vulnerable families (SDG 3).

12. PDApp (Spain) - Fundació Espigoladors' digital platform tackles food waste by streamlining agri-food surplus management, aligning with circular economy practices (SDG 12).

13. Saving Norway's Endangered Atlantic Salmon (Norway) - Huawei's innovative AI solution sorts invasive species in rivers, serving to protect the Atlantic salmon population (SDG 14).

14. SIMPaCT (Australia) - This smart irrigation system from Western Sydney University employs IoT technology to enhance water efficiency and urban climate resilience (SDG 13).

15. Tecnología con Propósito (Spain) - Samsung Electronics Iberia’s AI-driven accessibility initiatives aim to support individuals with ALS, ASD, and speech disorders (SDG 10).

16. Victoria, Vaso Linfático Artificial (Mexico) - A project from Universidad Panamericana that addresses secondary lymphedema in breast cancer survivors through nanotechnology (SDG 3).

17. Xworks AI (United Kingdom) - This initiative utilizes AI to convert waste into secondary raw materials, supporting circular economy objectives (SDG 12).

The Award Ceremony

The winners will be evaluated by a distinguished jury of sustainability, technology, and social innovation specialists, with the results being unveiled during a grand ceremony on June 12, 2025, at Torre Glòries in Barcelona. Each winning project will exemplify innovation's potential to meaningfully address social and environmental issues aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

During the event, winners will be presented with a unique opportunity to showcase their innovations at MWC26 Barcelona, leading to valuable visibility, strategic partnerships, and funding opportunities. Additionally, one outstanding project will receive significant financial support of up to €50,000 for piloting their solution in the local context of Barcelona, symbolizing the awards' impact in fostering actionable change.

Conclusion: A Vision for Responsible Innovation

The MWCapital Awards signify more than just an accolade; they represent a commitment to inspiring a global movement towards responsible innovation. By fortifying Barcelona's status as a pivotal hub for impactful technology, MWCapital enhances the city’s aspiration to promote a future that emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability through the application of technological advances.