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MWCapital Awards 2025: A Global Initiative for Sustainable Technologies

On June 12, 2025, the first edition of the MWCapital Awards took place in Barcelona, recognizing groundbreaking international technology projects that aim to tackle sustainability challenges worldwide. Organized by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in conjunction with B Lab Spain, GSMA Foundry, the State Secretariat for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (SEDIA), and Red.es, the awards attracted over 157 applications from 34 different countries.

The awards spotlight six phenomenal winning projects from various sectors, showcasing how innovative technology—ranging from artificial intelligence to blockchain and data analytics—can address pressing global challenges in health, urban sustainability, and resource management. The winning initiatives will have the opportunity to present their groundbreaking solutions at the upcoming MWC26 in Barcelona, providing them with invaluable international exposure.

The Winning Projects

The recipients of the MWCapital Awards spanned diverse categories, each contributing uniquely to sustainable development:

1. Corporate Category: Samsung Electronics Iberia (Spain) - Awarded for innovative projects enhancing accessibility through AI. Their initiatives, like TALLK for ALS patients and UNFEAR for autistic individuals, benefit over half a million people, showing profound social impact and inclusivity.

2. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Category: Salva Health (Colombia) - Their portable device named Julieta aids in the early detection of diseases such as breast cancer without the need for radiation or highly specialized staff. Tested on 2,300 patients in underserved regions, it achieved an 82% accuracy rate, significantly improving healthcare accessibility.

3. Research Centers Category: SIMPaCT (Australia) - Developed by Western Sydney University, this smart irrigation system leverages IoT technology to optimize urban cooling and water efficiency, achieving water savings of up to 70% compared to conventional systems, addressing critical climate resilience challenges.

4. Non-Profit Category: Nut4Health (Mauritania) - This initiative tackles child malnutrition and enhances maternal health using advanced technology. The project has already supported over 1,200 families, utilizing blockchain for fund transparency and early diagnosis through result-based payment systems.

5. Public Institutions Category: Tampere Smart City Initiative (Finland) - Focusing on urban sustainability, this intelligent city project utilizes AI and digital twin technology to improve citizen engagement and resource optimization in the city of Tampere, demonstrating a significant step toward sustainable urban communities.

6. Special Mention: Embrace the Forest (Brazil) - Recipient of the Barcelona Horizon Award, this project's Pantera technology utilizes AI to prevent forest fires, currently monitoring over 17.5 million hectares and significantly reducing fire-prone areas.

A Platform for Innovators

The MWCapital Awards not only celebrate technological innovation but also serve as a launching pad for these impactful projects, enabling them to reach a broader audience and foster strategic collaborations. As Francesc Fajula, the CEO of Mobile World Capital Barcelona, stated, "Technology must account for economic, social, and environmental criteria. It is our best ally in building a sustainable, just, and equitable society."

GSMA's CEO John Hoffman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the awards' aim to inspire urgent global developmental goals through ethical and inclusive technology deployment.

Looking Ahead

The MWCapital Awards signify a commitment by Mobile World Capital Barcelona towards leveraging technology in addressing the pressing challenges of our time, aligned with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The future is bright for these innovative projects as they continue to pave the way for sustainable advancements that can improve lives and the planet.

In a rapidly changing world, initiatives that marry technological prowess with social impact will undoubtedly lead us towards a more sustainable future. The MWCapital Awards stand testament to the potential of innovation to inspire positive change, encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

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