These awards aim to recognize and celebrate self-employed professionals, start-ups, companies, organizations, and institutions that make a significant contribution to strengthening the Madrid Region as a leading destination for investment and entrepreneurship, while fostering the region’s socio-economic development.
Applications are open to all self-employed professionals, companies, organizations, and institutions with a registered office or operational workplace in any of the 179 municipalities of the Madrid Region at the time these rules are approved.
Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria will be considered for each category:
Category 1: Innovation
- Positive impact of the initiative, project, and/or investment on innovation.
- Contribution to innovation in the Madrid Region.
- Contribution to the region’s economic and social development.
Category 2: Madrid–Latin America Bridge
- Contribution to strengthening economic, trade, and investment relations between the Madrid Region and Latin America.
- Contribution to consolidating the Madrid Region as Latin America’s gateway to Europe.
- Contribution to the region’s economic and social development.
Category 3: Talent
- Positive impact of the initiative, project, and/or investment on human capital.
- Contribution to establishing the Madrid Region as a leading region for attracting and retaining talent.
- Contribution to the industrialization and strengthening of Madrid’s economy.
- Contribution to the region’s economic and social development.
Category 4: Business Excellence
- Long-standing presence and positive impact of the company, organization, or institution in the Madrid Region.
- Contribution to the industrialization and strengthening of Madrid’s economy.
- Contribution to the region’s economic and social development.
Category 5: Vision 179
- Positive impact of the initiative, project, and/or investment on territorial cohesion.
- Contribution to attracting investment to areas of the region with lower population density.
- Contribution to the industrialization and strengthening of Madrid’s economy, as well as to the region’s economic and social development.
Category 6: International Projection
- Positive impact of the initiative, project, and/or investment on the international positioning of the Madrid Region.
- Contribution to consolidating the Madrid Region as a leading investment and entrepreneurship hub.
- Contribution to the industrialization and strengthening of Madrid’s economy.
- Contribution to the region’s economic and social development.
Category 7: Social Impact
- Positive impact of the initiative, project, and/or investment on Madrid society.
- Contribution to consolidating the Madrid Region as a leading investment and entrepreneurship hub.
- Contribution to the region’s economic and social development.
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will be composed of representatives from the Directorate-General for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship and Invest in Madrid.
Selection and Evaluation Process
As an initial phase, the call for applications will be published and the application period will open for all eligible self-employed professionals, companies (including start-ups, scale-ups, investment funds, SMEs, and large corporations), organizations, and institutions wishing to be considered in any of the seven award categories.
Applications must be submitted using a standard application form containing basic information. Applicants must indicate the categories for which they wish to be considered and provide a brief justification explaining why they deserve the award:
https://forms.gle/fPCahaZrhE8TQTqS7
During the final phase, representatives from both the Directorate-General for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship and Invest in Madrid will hold a joint meeting to select the winner in each category.
A runner-up will also be designated for each category.
The Selection Committee will consist of:
- Director-General for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship.
- Managing Director of Invest in Madrid.
- Two representatives from the Directorate-General for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship.
- Two representatives from Invest in Madrid.
The winner in each category will be selected by simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Director-General for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurship will have the casting vote.
One representative from Invest in Madrid will act as secretary of the Selection Committee.
Timeline
From July 13 to September 11 – Launch of the call for applications and opening of the application submission period.
From September 14 to September 18 – Selection of the winners and notification to the selected applicants.
Award Presentation
The winners will receive a personalized commemorative award during a public ceremony to be held on Wednesday, 30 September, in Alcalá de Henares, as part of the Madrid Investment Forum 2026.
Attendance at the ceremony by a senior representative of the selected company, organization, or institution is a mandatory condition for receiving the award. Should the selected recipient fail to confirm attendance within the required timeframe, the runner-up in that category will receive the award instead.
The Selection Committee reserves the right not to grant an award in any category if no candidate is considered to meet the required standards.