Strategic Partners
The MWCapital AWARDS recognise innovative international projects that use responsible technology to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and drive positive impact.
We are looking for tech-based projects that put people at the centre and promote an ethical, inclusive, equitable, and safe use of technology while integrating ESG criteria to create shared value.
The 2026 Edition
1. Companies
3. Non-profit and Benefit and Common Interest Societies (SBIC)
What projects can apply?
These are the key criteria your project should meet.
The organization submitting the project must have been active for at least 12 months at the time of application.
The project must be partially or fully implemented and show measurable results.
The project conceives technology as a lever for a more sustainable future: one that is inclusive, equitable, and responsible.
The project demonstrates the organization’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) commitment by integrating sustainability through a transversal perspective.
Benefits
Ready to join this purpose-driven tech revolution?
Here’s what you can get.
15 Finalists
3 per category
Free access to four B Lab impact workshops, including a personalised sustainability assessment and action plan covering three key areas: environmental, social, and governance impact.
Invitation to attend the Awards Ceremony in Barcelona (June 2026), with travel and accommodation covered.
1 per category
Presentation of the winning project at the Awards Ceremony (June 2026).
Entry to MWC27 Barcelona, with the opportunity to showcase the project as part of MWCapital’s official programme.
1 of the 15 Finalists
In addition to the above benefits, the project with the greatest potential of impact in Barcelona will receive up to €50,000 to implement a pilot in the city.
And there are also benefits just for participating:
Visibility
Showcase your project within a leading ecosystem in sustainable technology, made up of institutions, companies, and international experts.
Recognition
Demonstrate the value and strength of your project before a multidisciplinary jury guided by rigorous evaluation criteria.
Projection
Add your project to MWCapital’s solution repository and gain exposure for new partnerships and growth opportunities.
The First Edition of the AWARDS
Want to meet the finalist and winning projects that shaped the previous edition?
Frequent Asked Questions
Who can apply for the MWCapital AWARDS?
Participation in the awards is voluntary, free of charge, and open to any legal organisation worldwide, regardless of size or geographic location. Eligible applicants should fall into one of the following five categories:
→ Companies
→ SMEs and Startups
→ Non-profit and Benefit and Common Interest Societies (SBIC)
→ Academia and Research Centers
→ Public Institutions
The award welcomes technology-based projects from any sector, provided they clearly contribute to sustainable development, the human-centred application of technology, and purpose-driven innovation.
The organisation must have been operating for at least 12 months at the time of application. Projects must be either fully or partially implemented and show tangible results.
We recommend reviewing the full eligibility criteria in the Rules of Entry.
What is a Benefit and Common Interest Society (SBIC)?
Benefit and Common Interest Societies, known as SBIC in Spain, are companies that go beyond meeting ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards by using private resources to generate a triple positive impact.
These companies include in their bylaws a formal commitment to generating positive impact, uphold higher standards of transparency and accountability, and take stakeholders into account when making decisions.
How can I apply?
How is a project’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) evaluated?
The MWCapital AWARDS recognise the best innovative tech-based projects that contribute to the SDGs, responsible digital transition, and triple positive impact.
In the form, you’ll first be asked to select the top 3 SDGs your project contributes to or aims to impact (this selection will not be scored). Then, you’ll be required to explain how your project contributes to one or more relevant SDGs in its context, and this explanation will be evaluated.
What is B Lab and what role does it play in the MWCapital AWARDS?
B Lab is an organisation that promotes a new economic model based on positive impact. In this edition of the MWCapital AWARDS, B Lab acts as a strategic partner, serving as a jury member and mentor to the 15 finalists, who will receive free access to four impact workshops valued at €3,000 per participant. Three workshops will cover the key ESG areas based on B Lab’s seven impact areas, and the fourth will focus on building a personalised action plan.
Participation in the workshops is not mandatory to apply or to be eligible for an award, as they are primarily offered as a benefit to finalists.
That said, attendance and engagement with the B Impact Topics fosters peer learning among finalists and helps the external jury better understand each project. Participation may earn finalists up to 5 out of 50 total points as recognition of their involvement, but not as a decisive evaluation factor.
You can find all details in the Rules of Entry.
What is the Barcelona Horizon Award, and why is it awarded?
One of MWCapital’s objectives is to position Barcelona as a hub for digital talent and a leading city in responsible digital transformation. For this reason, among the recognitions granted through the MWCapital AWARDS, the Barcelona Horizon Award stands out as an additional prize consisting of a financial contribution of up to €50,000 to pilot the selected project in the city.
In this regard, one of the evaluation criteria is the project’s scalability in Barcelona, which will be assessed in both rounds of evaluation. This includes the project’s ability to identify the specific context of the city (or, if applicable, the surrounding area), as well as the ideal conditions and requirements for its implementation.
Can I submit more than one application?
Yes. You may submit more than one project from the same organisation. The awards recognise projects, not applicants.
Can I edit my application after submitting it?
No. Once you submit your application, it cannot be modified. The form does not save drafts, so we recommend keeping a copy of your responses before submitting.
How are the winners selected?
Evaluation takes place in two rounds. The first is conducted by a technical jury; the second by an external, multidisciplinary jury. Projects are assessed based on impact, innovation, governance, feasibility, alignment with the SDGs, and scalability. Full evaluation criteria can be found in the Rules of Entry.
How and when are finalists and winners announced?
Finalists will be contacted directly by the organising team in April 2026 and officially announced via press release. Applicants not selected in the first round will also be notified via the contact email provided. The winners will be revealed at the Awards Ceremony in Barcelona in June 2026.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the application process?
For any questions regarding your application, feel free to contact us at:
