In the framework of the celebration of the sixth edition of the Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) 2026, which will take place from October 5 to 7 at DFactory Barcelona, the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB) will award the best startup in each sector present at the event: Aviation & Space, Agrofood, Gaming, Talent, Science, Health, AI, and Energy. The BNEW Startup Innovation Hub aims to boost entrepreneurship and innovation by bringing together in a single networking space professionals from different economic sectors, industries, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, administrations and institutions, and startups to foster cross-border collaborations.
In the words of Pere Navarro, president of CZFB, “since its first edition, BNEW has wanted to reward talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship, recognizing projects that contribute to advancing the new economy and also our society. In most cases they start as ideas, which gradually develop, and ultimately materialize into applications with real impact on companies and our day-to-day. And from the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium we want to continue helping make these big ideas a reality.”
Thus, BNEW offers a space where emerging companies can present their creative and innovative solutions to the world’s leading industrial companies, investors, and venture capital firms. The finalist startups will be able to showcase their projects in the pitches round that will take place on Wednesday, October 7, before an audience composed of investors, companies, clients, suppliers, potential partners, and, in general, a specialized audience. Finally, the projects selected by a specialized jury will be recognized with the BNEW 2026 Best Startup Award, whose awards ceremony will be held on Monday, October 5, in the afternoon on the BNEW Talent stage.
“Beyond the recognition and visibility that comes with the award, BNEW offers a unique opportunity for participating startups to bring their projects to market, but above all to make meaningful connections through the various physical and digital networking tools that CZFB provides to event attendees,” notes Blanca Sorigué, director of CZFB.
The deadline to submit applications is Monday, September 7, and interested startups can apply through the event’s website.
The sixth edition of BNEW will feature three television studios, more than 50 debate sessions, and 270 speakers. The event will maintain its hybrid format by streaming all content on the digital platform and will boost in-person attendance with several networking spaces. In addition, the program will include more than 40 experiential activities, allowing visitors to enjoy a unique experience, discovering the latest advances in some of the industries driving the new economy—and getting to know part of the cultural, leisure, and design offerings of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area.
