Awards

The most outstanding and innovative companies will not only win cash prizes, but they will gain visibility, contacts and the international training they need to continue to evolve. Will your start-up be one of them?

Start-Up AwardsXXI

Find out more about the three categories in which your start-up has a chance to win simply by submitting your entry! To grant the awards, the judges will assess the value contribution and the disruptive capacity of the proposed innovation, with innovation being understood in a broad sense (technology, business model, processes, sales channel, etc.).

1

Regional Award

The Regional Award is intended for innovative technological enterprises in any sector of activity, broken down by territory. Any company in a territory may opt for this award, regardless of its sector. Upon entry, participants will automatically be placed in this category, according to their business address.

The 17 companies winning the regional competition in Spain (one winning company in each autonomous community) and the 2 winning companies in Portugal (one winning company in each region) will be recognised as companies with high growth potential in their territory.

2

Special second prizes

Two special second prizes, each with a cash prize of €9000, will be presented: the Sustainability award, for the most sustainable company based on the ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria, and the Deeptech award, for the most disruptive technological innovation. All companies that have submitted an entry have a chance to win this award, regardless of their territory or sector.

3

Start-Up AwardsXXI Challenges Award

The Start-Up AwardsXXI Challenges Award is exclusively intended for micro-enterprises and SMEs that provide solutions to the different challenges posed in each of the Future Challenges categories. Upon entry, participants will choose which challenge they want to take part in and all companies submitting an entry for said challenge will have a chance to win, regardless of their territory

The 12 winning companies (one winning company for each challenge) will be recognised as the companies that have presented the best solution for the challenge posed.

In this category, we are looking for solutions today for future challenges which dare us to imagine a better, more sustainable world that respects all forms of life.

The challenges for this 17th edition are the following:

FUTURE PLANET

FUTURE PLANET

FUTURE PLANET

We are looking for the best solutions to help preserve the planet and its natural resources, and enable sustainable farming. Driven by AgroBank and imagin. This category involves two challenges:

AgroBank

Projects that transform the agrifood industry via sustainable husbandry and farming, incorporating technological innovation in production processes.

imagin

Projects focusing on leaving future generations with a better planet with solutions based on achieving a lifestyle in which natural resources are handled with care.

FUTURE WELLBEING

FUTURE WELLBEING

FUTURE WELLBEING

We are looking for projects focusing on civic wellbeing and disease prevention, paving the way for a full and healthy life. Driven by VidaCaixa and CaixaBank Seniors. This category involves two challenges:

VidaCaixa

Solutions in the field of therapeutics, diagnoses, development of medical technologies, and e-health. We are looking for projects that apply technology to medicine to help improve the quality of health, patient access and disease prevention. 

CaixaBank Seniors

Solutions focusing on the wellbeing of our elderly (silver economy) in all aspects of their everyday life to ensure active ageing, enjoyment of leisure time, and a long and healthy life thanks to technology.

FUTURE TALENT

FUTURE TALENT

FUTURE TALENT

We are looking for companies that support the development of human talent and the work of the future, understanding that we are living in a world of constant evolution and technological transformation, which implies very positive changes in society but also challenges for current and future generations. Driven by MicroBank and Grupo CaixaBank. This category involves two challenges:

MicroBank

The technological transformation implies highly positive changes in society, but also challenges for current and future generations. It is important to prepare people to adapt to new technologies, refresh their knowledge and ensure the inclusion of all citizens in this work sector, including those linked to the tertiary sector, through EdTech solutions and tools that facilitate the transition.

Grupo CaixaBank

Products and services focused on talent development and facilitating company talent recruitment, management and retention processes.

FUTURE CITIES

FUTURE CITIES

FUTURE CITIES

We are looking for value proposals focusing on how to make the towns and cities in which we live safer, more sustainable and more connected, also providing adapted transport. Driven by CaixaBank Real Estate&Home and CaixaBank Payments&Customer. This category involves two challenges:

CaixaBank Real Estate

Thanks to technology, the home of the future saves energy, is connected to the Internet and contributes to the improvement of the natural environment, preventing further degradation whilst being useful to humans both in terms of ecology and economy.

CaixaBank Payments&Customer

Technology and mobility solutions in tomorrow’s cities that back sustainability, convenience and innovation.

FUTURE ECONOMY

FUTURE ECONOMY

FUTURE ECONOMY

Companies and the economy face many challenges, not only linked to the shock wave of the pandemic but also to longer, more profound changes that have and will have lasting effects. Innovation and technology play a crucial role in the transformation of all sectors. Driven by CaixaBank (Innovación) and DayOne. This category involves two challenges:

CaixaBank (Innovación)

We are looking for solutions that support the transformation of the finance sector and new business models in banking (fintech, insurtech, retail, cybersecurity).

DayOne

Tomorrow’s companies, whatever the sector, are currently undergoing a process of change thanks to technology: SaaS, e-commerce, productivity. In this challenge we support initiatives that drive innovation and company digitalisation.

FUTURE LEISURE

FUTURE LEISURE

FUTURE LEISURE

We are looking for proposals that help to transform people’s experiences when enjoying their free time, whether in hotels and restaurants, or when partaking in different travel, gastronomic and leisure activities. Driven by Hotels&Tourism and Food&Drinks. This category involves two challenges

Hotels&Tourism

Products and services focusing on the transformation of the hotel sector thanks to technology and innovation.

Food&Drinks

Products and services focusing on improving experiences and management in the catering sector.

Cash prize

€6,000

For each regional winner

€12,000

For the winner of each challenge

€9,000

For the winner of each second prize

We know that money isn’t everything

That’s why, as well as the cash prize, you will have access to different programmes that will help you to grow in every way:

SUPPORT AND<br>TRAINING PROGRAMME

SUPPORT AND
TRAINING PROGRAMME

Access to support and training programmes at some of the main global innovation hubs. To launch this initiative, we are collaborating with top organisations such as ESADE and MIT.

SUPPORT<br>FOR INNOVATION

SUPPORT
FOR INNOVATION

The awards are backed by leading international organisations in the area of innovation.

START-UP AWARDSXXI INVESTORS DAY

START-UP AWARDSXXI INVESTORS DAY

The winning companies will be invited to this conference where they will meet the main corporates and investors in the sphere of innovation.

ALUMNIXX COMMUNITY

ALUMNIXX COMMUNITY

This initiative combines a virtual community with face-to-face meetings and will help to strengthen relationships and create synergies between the award winners and the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation.

DAYONE OPEN<br>INNOVATION PROGRAMME

DAYONE OPEN
INNOVATION PROGRAMME

Through this initiative, a company will be selected to collaborate in one of the CaixaBank group’s business areas. The company selected from each challenge posed will carry out a proof of concept or a pilot project with CaixaBank.

Furthermore, just by entering the Start-Up AwardsXXI, you will have access to 3 training sessions in the form of webinars relating to some of the most popular subjects such as financing, storytelling and leadership.

CaixaBank Group Partners
Imagin Agrobank CaixaBank Banca Privada CaixaBank Negocios CaixaBank Empresas CaixaBank Séniors MicroBank CaixaBank Dualiza Payments and Consumer VidaCaixa CaixaBank TECH
Regional organisers / Collaborators

START-UP AWARDSXXI | Caixa Emprendedor XXI