MWCapital Awards Celebrate International Tech Projects That Impact Sustainability
The first edition of the MWCapital Awards recently took place in Barcelona, celebrating groundbreaking international technology projects aimed at addressing the pressing issues of sustainability and social responsibility. Organized by Mobile World Capital in partnership with B Lab Spain, GSMA Foundry, and other prominent entities, the awards gathered an impressive 157 entries from 34 countries. Each submission showcased how technology can be leveraged to generate positive change across various sectors, including health, urban sustainability, and resource management.
The ceremony, hosted at the stunning Mirador Torre Glòries, highlighted the innovative approaches of the 17 finalist projects, distinguished among numerous talented submissions. An expert jury, comprising representatives from organizations like MIT, GSMA, B Lab Spain, and the International Telecommunication Union, meticulously assessed the projects for their innovation, scalability, and genuine impact on society. Ultimately, six winners emerged from five established categories, each illustrating the transformative potential of technology in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
In the Business Category, Samsung Electronics Iberia clinched the award for its technology with purpose initiative. The company has implemented over 30 accessibility projects powered by artificial intelligence, positively affecting more than half a million individuals. Among these projects, TALLK assists ALS patients in basic communication, UNFEAR minimizes disruptive noise for individuals with autism, and IMPULSE converts spoken words into vibrations, catering to users with hearing impairments (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).
Meanwhile, Salva Health's Julieta emerged victorious in the SMEs and Startups Category. This innovative AI-powered portable device facilitates early disease detection, such as breast cancer, without requiring specialized personnel or radiation, thus improving healthcare accessibility in under-resourced regions. Tested on 2,300 patients across major Colombian cities, Julieta reports an impressive accuracy of 82% (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).
From the Research Centres Category, Western Sydney University's SIMPaCT system showcased the potential of IoT in optimizing irrigation practices, achieving significant reductions in urban water usage—between 44% to 70% compared to traditional irrigation methods—thereby addressing challenges of climate change and urban heat (SDG 13: Climate Action).
SIC4Change's Nut4Health project won in the Non-profit Category by addressing child malnutrition and enhancing maternal health in vulnerable Mauritanian communities via advanced technology. The initiative has supported over 1,200 families while employing blockchain and machine learning to ensure transparency and incentivize early detection of nutritional issues (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being).
Lastly, the Public Institutions Category honored the smart city initiative from Tampere, Finland. This initiative utilizes AI and digital twins to boost sustainability and community engagement. Through the 'Tampere Pulse' platform, it predicts foot traffic and enhances city resource management, facilitating better decision-making for residents and local businesses alike (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
The awarded projects will present their solutions at the upcoming MWC26 in Barcelona, offering them a vital opportunity to enhance visibility and forge strategic partnerships. Additionally, one highlight of the awards included granting the Barcelona Horizon Award to Brazil's Embrace the Forest initiative, which received a €50,000 grant for its wildfire prevention technology, Pantera. This innovative software employs AI to monitor vast areas, achieving an 85% reduction in burned regions and optimizing firefighting efforts (SDG 13: Climate Action).
Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s CEO, Francesc Fajula, emphasized the need for technology to consider social and environmental metrics alongside economic ones, positing that technology is paramount in transitioning towards a more equitable society. GSMA Ltd.'s CEO, John Hoffman, echoed this sentiment, advocating for the critical role of ethical tech deployment to achieve sustainable progress. Likewise, Red.es' Director General, Jesús Herrero, affirmed that recognition of impactful projects like these is essential as society faces both climate change and rapid technological advancements.
These inaugural MWCapital Awards not only recognize exemplary technological innovations but also inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to effecting meaningful change. By celebrating such initiatives, MWCapital reinforces its commitment to technology as a catalyst for economic and social transformation, aligned with the comprehensive goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
The ceremony, hosted at the stunning Mirador Torre Glòries, highlighted the innovative approaches of the 17 finalist projects, distinguished among numerous talented submissions. An expert jury, comprising representatives from organizations like MIT, GSMA, B Lab Spain, and the International Telecommunication Union, meticulously assessed the projects for their innovation, scalability, and genuine impact on society. Ultimately, six winners emerged from five established categories, each illustrating the transformative potential of technology in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
In the Business Category, Samsung Electronics Iberia clinched the award for its technology with purpose initiative. The company has implemented over 30 accessibility projects powered by artificial intelligence, positively affecting more than half a million individuals. Among these projects, TALLK assists ALS patients in basic communication, UNFEAR minimizes disruptive noise for individuals with autism, and IMPULSE converts spoken words into vibrations, catering to users with hearing impairments (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).
Meanwhile, Salva Health's Julieta emerged victorious in the SMEs and Startups Category. This innovative AI-powered portable device facilitates early disease detection, such as breast cancer, without requiring specialized personnel or radiation, thus improving healthcare accessibility in under-resourced regions. Tested on 2,300 patients across major Colombian cities, Julieta reports an impressive accuracy of 82% (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).
From the Research Centres Category, Western Sydney University's SIMPaCT system showcased the potential of IoT in optimizing irrigation practices, achieving significant reductions in urban water usage—between 44% to 70% compared to traditional irrigation methods—thereby addressing challenges of climate change and urban heat (SDG 13: Climate Action).
SIC4Change's Nut4Health project won in the Non-profit Category by addressing child malnutrition and enhancing maternal health in vulnerable Mauritanian communities via advanced technology. The initiative has supported over 1,200 families while employing blockchain and machine learning to ensure transparency and incentivize early detection of nutritional issues (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being).
Lastly, the Public Institutions Category honored the smart city initiative from Tampere, Finland. This initiative utilizes AI and digital twins to boost sustainability and community engagement. Through the 'Tampere Pulse' platform, it predicts foot traffic and enhances city resource management, facilitating better decision-making for residents and local businesses alike (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
The awarded projects will present their solutions at the upcoming MWC26 in Barcelona, offering them a vital opportunity to enhance visibility and forge strategic partnerships. Additionally, one highlight of the awards included granting the Barcelona Horizon Award to Brazil's Embrace the Forest initiative, which received a €50,000 grant for its wildfire prevention technology, Pantera. This innovative software employs AI to monitor vast areas, achieving an 85% reduction in burned regions and optimizing firefighting efforts (SDG 13: Climate Action).
Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s CEO, Francesc Fajula, emphasized the need for technology to consider social and environmental metrics alongside economic ones, positing that technology is paramount in transitioning towards a more equitable society. GSMA Ltd.'s CEO, John Hoffman, echoed this sentiment, advocating for the critical role of ethical tech deployment to achieve sustainable progress. Likewise, Red.es' Director General, Jesús Herrero, affirmed that recognition of impactful projects like these is essential as society faces both climate change and rapid technological advancements.
These inaugural MWCapital Awards not only recognize exemplary technological innovations but also inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to effecting meaningful change. By celebrating such initiatives, MWCapital reinforces its commitment to technology as a catalyst for economic and social transformation, aligned with the comprehensive goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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