The Expansión StartUp Awards aim to recognise the work and track record of startups that have stood out in one of the established categories, with particular emphasis on innovation, the strength of their business model, their economic, social and environmental impact, scalability, achievements and future milestones, and the overall quality of the application submitted.
Deusto Emprende will shortlist four applications per category, which will then be assessed by a specialised jury. Three awards will be presented in each category. The jury will meet on November 12, 2026, and the awards ceremony will take place on December 2, 2026, in Barcelona.
Who can apply: Startups legally established in Spain —or in the process of being established— that have been operating for a maximum of 60 months from the date they registered their activity, qualify as an SME under EU regulations, and have an innovative component, although this does not necessarily have to be technological.
Companies may apply to a maximum of two categories:
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Health & Biotechnology
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Mobility & Smart Cities
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Green & Blue Economy
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Tech Industry
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Smart Services
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AgriFood Tech & Gastronomic Innovation
Applications will be open from September 10 to October 14, 2026, inclusive. Applications must be submitted through the form available on the awards’ microsite; submissions through any other channel will not be accepted.
