The MWCapital Awards Celebrate Innovative Tech for Sustainability Impact

The Inaugural MWCapital Awards Ceremony

On June 13, 2025, the first MWCapital Awards took place at the Mirador Torre Glòries in Barcelona, recognizing six exceptional international tech projects that address the pressing global issues of our time, particularly in sustainability.

Organized by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in collaboration with significant partners like B Lab Spain, GSMA Foundry, and the State Secretariat for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (SEDIA), the awards attracted a remarkable 157 applications from 34 countries, showcasing the global commitment to innovative solutions.

The Winning Projects

Out of the numerous projects submitted, the winning initiatives hailed from six different countries, each utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics, and smart sensors. These projects aim to tackle crucial challenges in health, urban sustainability, and resource management. The recognition of these initiatives is not just a testament to their innovation but to their potential impact on the world.

1. Technology with Purpose (Spain)
- Samsung Electronics Iberia has implemented over 30 accessibility projects powered by AI, benefiting more than half a million individuals. Their notable projects include TALLK for ALS patients, UNFEAR for creating comfortable environments for autistic individuals, and IMPULSE that converts speech into rhythmic vibrations via a smartwatch.

2. Small Business and Startups (Colombia)
- Salva Health developed Julieta, a portable device utilizing AI to detect breast cancer early without radiation, making healthcare more accessible in underprivileged areas. Testing showed an 82% accuracy, proving effective even in resource-limited regions.

3. Research Centers (Australia)
- Western Sydney University introduced SIMPaCT, an intelligent irrigation system leveraging IoT to improve urban cooling and water efficiency. By combining real-time monitoring with predictive models, it has reduced water consumption by up to 70%, presenting a scalable solution for climate resilience.

4. Non-Profit Organizations (Mauritania)
- SIC4Change launched Nut4Health, targeting child malnutrition and boosting maternal and child health in vulnerable communities. Utilizing advanced tech, it has already assisted over 1,200 families, offering a sustainable model by incorporating blockchain and smart contracts for transparency in fund management.

5. Public Institutions (Finland)
- The smart city initiative in Tampere employs AI and digital twins to enhance sustainability and citizen engagement. The platform, Tampere Pulse, predicts city visitor flows with real-time data, guiding public resource allocation efficiently.

Next Steps for the Winning Projects

These award-winning initiatives will have a unique opportunity to showcase their technologies at the upcoming MWC26 in Barcelona, providing them with a critical international platform to increase visibility and foster strategic collaborations.

Additionally, the Brazilian initiative Embrace the Forest, which was awarded the Barcelona Horizon accolade, will receive up to 50,000 euros to pilot its forest fire prevention technology in Barcelona. Their system, Pantera, utilizes AI to monitor vast areas for wildfires, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and operational costs.

Emphasizing Technology's Role in Sustainability

During the ceremony, MWCapital Barcelona's CEO, Francesc Fajula, emphasized the importance of integrating economic criteria with environmental and social considerations in technological advancement. The awards highlight technology's potential as a transformative force for crafting a sustainable, equitable society.

GSMA Ltd.'s CEO, John Hoffman, reaffirmed this commitment, stating that the MWCapital Awards serve as a reminder of technology's ability to facilitate progress toward urgent global goals. These projects reflect measurable impacts on healthcare, urban resilience, and climate change mitigation.

The MWCapital Awards stand as a clear indicator of the commitment to harnessing technology for social good, aiming to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators dedicated to enhancing lives and protecting the planet while aligning with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda.