Entrepreneur awards 2026 across Spain: the EmprendeXXI Awards, from CaixaBank (through DayOne) with Enisa, take applications from 1 December 2026 to 22 January 2027, according to their rules. It is a nationwide contest with one regional prize in each of the 17 autonomous communities, for technology and innovative companies, not for a self-employed person who is just starting.
What changes for you today
If you are an autónomo (self-employed), nothing: the rules explicitly exclude autónomos. If you have set up a technology-based company with a tax address in Spain, you can prepare an application. If you still want to register as an autónomo, start with the card How to become an autónomo in the Valencian Community as a foreigner.
What happened
The EmprendeXXI Awards have published the rules of their 20th edition. Our system picked up the notice from CEEI Valencia, the European business and innovation centre of Valencia, on 20 October 2026. According to the rules, applications are submitted online only at emprendedorxxi.es; the window opens on 1 December 2026 at 09:00 and closes on 22 January 2027 at 15:00 (GMT+1). Since 1 October, interested startups can leave their details on that website to get news, but that is not an application. The organisers reserve the right to change the dates.
How it works now
Grants for starting as an autónomo are a different thing. The reduced fee for the first months, which applies across Spain, is explained in autónomo flat rate 2026, and another local contest has its own card: the Castelló awards. EmprendeXXI is different: it is a contest for technology companies, not a start-up grant.
What changes
- Who runs it: CaixaBank, through its subsidiary Caixa EmprendedorXXI, and the Ministry of Industry and Tourism through Enisa, according to the rules.
- Prizes, according to the rules: a regional prize of €6,000 for the winning company of each autonomous community (17 in total); 9 "Retos del Mañana" (Tomorrow's Challenges) prizes of €15,000 each; and 2 special awards (accésits) of €9,000 each. All prizes are subject to the withholdings and payments on account that apply, and the winner must declare them under the tax they are subject to. Winning companies commit to attend the support programme, and the organisers may pay part of the money later or reduce it depending on that attendance and its cost.
- Who can apply: according to the requirements section of the rules: for-profit companies (S.A., S.L., worker-owned or civil companies) with a tax address in Spain, which started activity or were incorporated on or after 1 January 2023 (deed of incorporation or registration with form 036). The founding partners must run the company, hold the majority of shares and work mainly in it. Autónomos and large companies, as defined by the European Commission, are excluded.
- Foreigners: the rules do not ask for any particular nationality; they ask for the company and a tax address in Spain.
What happens next
- 1 December 2026 to 22 January 2027: online applications. Afterwards the organisers check eligibility and score the applications.
- The regional award ceremonies will be held in person in the first half of 2027; exact dates will be published on the website.
- The technical committees for the "Retos del Mañana" prizes are held from April 2027, and the prizes are presented in June, at the final phase.
- The international support programme for the winning companies is planned for July 2027.
- The organisers may change any of these dates.
What you can do
- Open emprendedorxxi.es and read the 2026 participation rules before preparing an application.
- Check three things: that your company is a company and not an autónomo, that it has a tax address in Spain, and that it was created or registered on or after 1 January 2023.
- If you qualify, leave your details on the website to get notices and come back on 1 December for the application form.
- See other open calls for entrepreneurs in the list of entrepreneur calls.
Official source: EmprendeXXI Awards 2026 rules and awards website.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.