#Sustainability #Spain #Barcelona #MWCapital

MWCapital Awards 2025

Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital), in partnership with B Lab Spain and GSMA Foundry, has announced the 17 finalists for the inaugural “MWCapital Awards: Technologies for a Sustainable Future.” This new awards program aims to highlight the most innovative projects that leverage technology to foster a more sustainable and inclusive future. The finalists come from various backgrounds, including startups, corporations, public entities, NGOs, and academic institutions, indicating a strong global interest in technological solutions with social and ecological impacts.

Selection Process and Finalists

The selection process attracted 157 applications from 34 countries, underscoring widespread global interest in impactful technology solutions. The 17 finalists represent 11 different countries and span a variety of initiatives focused on crucial areas such as energy sustainability, biodiversity conservation, disease early detection, and combating misinformation. Here’s a glimpse at some of the noteworthy projects:

• - AI for Selective Fishing (Spain): Developed by Satlink, this AI-powered device enhances sustainable fishing by differentiating tuna species caught under fish aggregating devices, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 - Life Below Water.
• - BraiN20® (Spain): Time is Brain S.L. introduces a real-time brain monitoring device set to revolutionize stroke care with continuous functional data, aligning with SDG 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing.
• - Data-Driven City for Citizens (Finland): Tampere’s smart city initiative utilizes AI and digital twins to improve urban sustainability and citizen participation, supporting SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• - Embrace the Forest (Brazil): Pantera’s software uses AI to combat wildfires through prevention, detection, and impact analysis to reduce CO2 emissions, addressing SDG 13 - Climate Action.
• - H2SAREA (Spain): Nortegas' project integrates green hydrogen into natural gas networks, contributing to decarbonization and climate neutrality as part of SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

The Awards Ceremony

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on June 12, 2025, at Torre Glòries in Barcelona. During this event, a jury composed of national and international sustainability, technology, and social innovation experts will assess the finalists based on their scalability, innovation strength, and potential real-world impact. Among the experts are notable figures like John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd., and Irene Kaggwa, Director General of the Uganda Communications Commission.

Aimed at Global Collaboration

The MWCapital Awards not only honor innovation but also seek to generate global visibility and collaboration opportunities for the winning projects. The winners will have the chance to present their solutions at MWC26 in Barcelona, gaining access to strategic partnerships, funding, and additional collaborative opportunities. Furthermore, the special ‘Barcelona Horizon Award’ aims to highlight the tangible impacts of the initiatives within the city.

Mobile World Capital Barcelona aims to stimulate a global movement for responsible innovation, reaffirming the city’s role as a hub for technology with positive social effects. Through this initiative, MWCapital aspires to contribute to the digital development of society, fostering a more equitable and sustainable future through the humanistic use of technology.