Ten of Catalonia’s most innovative female entrepreneurs have been recognised in the fourth edition of the EAE Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs awards. The prestigious ranking, a joint initiative by EAE Business School Barcelona and the city’s economic development agency, Barcelona Activa, celebrates the leadership of female founders whose projects are driving significant socio-economic impact across the region.

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EAE Business School will formally honour the winners at a high-profile ceremony on 4 March at 11:00 AM, held on the global stage of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024. The event aims to provide the founders with significant visibility, fostering new connections and opportunities for growth and collaboration within the international business and technology ecosystem.

Pioneers in Healthtech and Biotech Lead the Way

Among the top honourees are founders leading groundbreaking advancements in the health and biotechnology sectors. The top accolades went to:

  • Marina Rigau and Eva Colás, co-founders of MiMARK, a women’s health company developing innovative, non-invasive solutions for gynaecological diagnosis.
  • Patricia Villagrasa, co-founder of Reveal Genomics. Her biotech firm uses advanced genomic techniques and machine learning to create diagnostic tools that personalise therapeutic decisions in cancer treatment.
  • Carla Maté, founder of D-Sight, a spin-off from the renowned Vall d’Hebron Hospital Campus. D-Sight is developing neuroprotective drugs in the form of eye drops for the early treatment of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

The recognition of these health-focused startups underscores Barcelona’s growing reputation as a hub for world-class medical innovation, a status recently bolstered when the AstraZeneca Barcelona Global Hub was named Top European Investment.

A Diverse Cohort of Innovators

The awards also celebrated a diverse range of entrepreneurs from sectors spanning sustainability, education, and artificial intelligence. The awards also celebrated seven other founders in the top ten:

  • Laura Lizama (Heecap): For a device that reactivates respiratory muscles without causing thoracic damage.
  • Silvia Raga (Dycare): For a platform that uses AI to assist in physical rehabilitation.
  • Silvia Frutos (Splice Bio): For developing novel gene therapies.
  • Ana Caño-Delgado and Andrea Giordano (Planet Biotech): For creating biostimulants that enhance crop resilience to climate change.
  • Natalia Pujades (MochiCard): For a STEAM educational device used in schools.
  • Laura Gispert (Voilà Bio): For pioneering edible and recyclable cutlery.
  • Valérie Itey (Clicrecycle): For an innovative process that transforms human hair waste into biodegradable material.

A Strategic Showcase at MWC

The awards ceremony, set to take place at the Fira Gran Via during MWC, will be a key event for the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to a statement from the organisers, the event will bring together the winners, jury members, institutional representatives, and key figures from the business and technology sectors. The proceedings will be led by Itziar Blasco, the Executive Director of Business and Entrepreneurship at Barcelona Activa, an agency operating under the Barcelona City Council.

By positioning the awards ceremony within the framework of the world’s largest mobile technology conference, the organisers are providing these entrepreneurs with an unparalleled platform to connect with investors, partners, and a global audience. This initiative aligns with the city’s broader strategy to support its burgeoning startup scene and champion female leadership in business and technology, celebrating local success on an international level in a city that frequently hosts major award ceremonies, including the upcoming Goya Awards in 2026.

The information for this report was primarily sourced from a dispatch by Europa Press.