On Thursday, the WstartupCommunity association publicly honored a cohort of Spain’s most dynamic women in business. The organization, dedicated to advancing female entrepreneurship, hosted the event at the European Parliament’s Madrid headquarters, aligning with Entrepreneurial Women’s Day, observed on 19 November. Prominent political figures attended, including former Congress president and PP MP Ana Pastor and María González Corral, the Regional Government of Castilla y León’s Minister of Mobility and Digital Transformation. Throughout the ceremony, the awardees shared insights about their ventures with the audience. Teresa Alarcos, independent director and president of WstartupCommunity, noted, “We have championed women’s entrepreneurship for a decade. Our ‘I take it on’ program has grown, and we aim to broaden its reach internationally.”
The event sought to elevate female entrepreneurship and boost visibility. Ana Pastor, vice-president of the European Parliament, argued that addressing gender bias benefits society as a whole, not just women. She highlighted that fairer communities tend to experience stronger economic growth, a point supported by research, and she urged showcasing women-led initiatives to inspire wider participation.
María González Corral emphasized the crucial role women play in rural regions, where they sustain local populations. She underscored supporting women’s development because they are often central to family resilience and community continuity.
After opening remarks from authorities, awardees presented their ventures and discussed early hurdles. The projects spanned sectors from artificial intelligence to logistics. Cristina Martín, co-founder of Usyncro, described how the platform optimizes logistics, noting that Spain has robust ideas and technical know-how but faces funding barriers. Sara Correyero, co-founder of IENAI SPACE, identified financing as one of the most significant challenges for women launching businesses, especially for ventures aimed at cleaning up space debris. Other speakers included Yulia Tru, co-founder of Beetasted, and Amaia Zurutuza, Graphenea’s scientific director. Antonio Colino, president of the Royal Academy of Engineering, urged continued emphasis on women pursuing technical studies, arguing that engineering skills are increasingly essential. The event culminated with a short performance by opera singer and entrepreneur Estíbaliz Martyn.
award winning women
1. Innovation Entrepreneur Award. Elena Gonzalez-Blanco Garcia, co-founder of Clidrive and Clibrain
2. SDG 13 Sustainability Award. Cristina Martín, co-founder of Usyncro – Blockchain & AI Tech 4 Logistics
3. SDG 14 Sustainability Award. Sara Correyero Plaza, co-founder of IENAI SPACE
4. SDG 4 Education Award. Yulia Tru, co-founder of Beetasted
5. Intrapreneurship Award. Amaia Zurutuza, Graphenea Scientific Director
6. SDG Blockchain Cybersecurity Award. Yael H. Oaknín and Rocío Alvarez-Ossorio, co-founders of Token City