AItex research and innovation center issued a call to the Business Awards, reaching its fourth edition this year. Financial incentives have risen by fifty percent versus prior editions, and a total prize of €90,000 will be distributed among winning companies, marking the largest sum since the awards began in 2018.
The incoming Business Awards aim to strengthen the business fabric and stimulate interaction with diverse audiences. The main objective is to help companies become more competitive by finding solutions to new challenges and supporting industrial growth.
THREE TYPES OF PARTICIPATION AND €90.000 PRIZES
The awards total €90,000, with first prizes of €20,000 and second prizes of €10,000 in each modality. The participating formats are as follows:
AITEX Sustainability and Innovation Awards in textiles will be awarded to owners of textile companies expanding their activities in one of these areas:
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Development of a product or production process with a high degree of innovation.
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Eco-efficient management, recognizing products or processes that actively promote sustainable development and environmental protection.
AITEX Sustainability and Innovation Awards in cosmetics will be awarded to owners of cosmetic industry companies expanding their activities in one of these areas:
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Development of a product or production process with a high degree of innovation.
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Eco-efficient management, recognizing products or processes that actively contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection.
One of the edition’s standout innovations is the Entrepreneurship Award, titled AITEX Award for Best Entrepreneurial Initiative. This category honors creativity and innovation in implementing new business ideas and is open to companies from all sectors. It was legally established between 2019 and 2021.
AITEX BUSINESS AWARDS EXPAND NATIONWIDE
This edition aims to consolidate the awards by expanding reach to the national level. The prior edition enjoyed strong participation across Spain, with 40% of nominees coming from outside the Valencian Community, totaling 51 nominees and 10 finalists.
The AITEX Business Awards are part of the center’s efforts to revitalize the business fabric and help companies become more competitive, highlighting the importance of national expansion to boost regional and sector-specific growth.
Encouraging interaction with audiences across textiles, cosmetics, and related sectors, the awards seek to make companies more competitive and to drive new solutions that address evolving challenges in industry.
WINNERS OF OTHER VERSIONS OF BUSINESS AWARDS
In earlier editions, participation formats were distinct, rewarding textile products or production processes notable for sustainability or innovation. Valencian companies such as Bionicia and Care Application earned major awards in 2021 for innovation and sustainability respectively.
María Pardo, Head of R&D at Bionica Group, explained that the recognition reflected the team’s hard work. “We have positioned ourselves in the filtration sector, and our material is nationally recognized.” The company developed a nanofiber filter to counter-pathogen threats during the pandemic when filter materials were scarce.
Carmina Ferri, Founder and CEO of Care Application, noted the award as a milestone of appreciation for sustained effort. She said the honor underscores the team’s commitment to reducing the textile industry’s environmental impact through more sustainable methods.
Other notable recipients in prior editions include Manuel Reverte y Cia, Cotoblau, MLS Textiles 1992, Hilaturas Ferre, Naturtex, Tejidos Royo, and Francisco Jover.
HOW TO REGISTER AND OPEN CALL PERIOD
The call for applications runs through October 17 of the year and is open to companies headquartered in Spain. Interested firms should complete the registration form and follow the steps outlined in the competition rules.
All information, competition rules, and the registration form are available on the AITEX website. The 2022 Business Awards ceremony will take place in Alcoy (Alicante). A jury of high-level representatives from the corporate and business sectors will evaluate projects based on value proposition, quality, innovation, achieved results, socio-economic impact, and environmental impact.
ABOUT AITEX
AITEX is a leading reference center in Spain for innovation, research, and technological development and is among the top five in Europe. Its activities focus on applied research, technological innovation, advanced laboratory services, certifications, and technical training for companies.
With more than 35 years of experience, AITEX remains committed to investing in infrastructure, delivering solutions to businesses, and creating opportunities for the growth of various productive sectors now and in the future.