The first edition of the Impact Awards was announced by South Impact and UpAndalus, with the vision of recognizing startups and investors who are transforming the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southern Spain, where talent and leadership are consolidating this region as an important player in the innovation landscape.
But why is the attention focused on southern Spain? A report from ONE (Oficina Nacional de Emprendimiento) highlights a €52 million investment in startups in Andalucía, making it the fifth autonomous community with the highest capital investment, following Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia, and the Basque Country, thereby creating a hub for tech and growth. These findings, along with the presence of more than 500 new startups and 17 accelerators by 2024, validate the importance of these awards, which aim to inspire, build, and grow the entrepreneurial community in this region.
Four categories to highlight leadership and collaboration
The Impact Awards include four categories: Founder, Startup, Investor, and Reference, which recognize the main pillars on which a solid and sustainable ecosystem is built.
The Founder category recognizes entrepreneurial leadership and execution. Nominees include the founders of CoverManager, Kampaoh, Odders Lab, Freepik, Wuolah, and Genially, companies that have brought talent from the South of Spain to international markets.
The Investor category recognizes those who drive growth with capital and strategic support. Competing for the award are Juanjo Mostazo, Manuel Ibáñez, Nacho Alonso, Tom Horsey, María Luisa García, and Andreas Mihalovits, investors who have played a key role in the activation of rounds and the expansion of startups originating in the South.
Meanwhile, the Reference category highlights organizations that foster the entrepreneurial community. The nominees Málaga Tech, Al-Andalus Innovation Venture, espacio_RES, VESS Venture Studio, the Margaret Hamilton School for Promising Young People, and UCA Emprende stand out for their work in connecting talent, disseminating knowledge, and creating opportunities.
In the Startup category, the emerging companies with the capacity to scale and generate impact are recognized. Competing are Sherpa Platform, DASTX, Glucotypp, Eonesia, EONsea, and Tutrocito, companies that reflect the region’s innovative potential.
Voting Open to the Community
The voting process is open to the public until November 3 through the website, where the community can choose their favorite candidates in each category. The winner will be announced on November 6 during the closing ceremony of South Impact 2025, which will be presented at the Cádiz Conference Center.
With this initiative, South Impact and UpAndalus reinforce their commitment to developing the southern entrepreneurial ecosystem, promoting the visibility of its talent, and consolidating their role in transforming the Spanish business community.
