Innovators has been a media partner of MWC and 4YFN Barcelona since 2017 – and we are delighted to join forces again with the annual tech showcase in 2026.
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Below is a news update from the organisers:
The 4YFN Awards are back – and if you’re building something bold in digital tech, we want to hear from you.
Held each year in Barcelona, the 4YFN Awards celebrate the world’s most innovative and game-changing start-ups. Applications are now open across our five categories: Health Tech, Fintech, Climate Tech, Mobile Frontiers and Digital Horizons.
What’s in it for you?
A panel of investors will review each entry and shortlist the top 20 startups. Shortlisted companies will receive a free booth at 4YFN – which is co-located alongside MWC Barcelona, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, attended by over 109,000 people in 2025. Shortlisted firms will also secure a speaking slot within the 4YFN conference and a €1,500 cash prize.
On the first day of 4YFN – 2nd March 2026 – the semi-finals will take place, whittling the shortlist down to five finalists, with one startup per category invited to the awards ceremony. There, they’ll pitch on the 4YFN main stage to a panel of investors, who will announce the winner of the 2026 Awards.
Each of the five finalists will receive €2,500 cash prize, whilst the winner will be awarded a €20,000 cash prize, courtesy of the GSMA Foundry.
What you need to do:
- Review the evaluation criteria and Rules of Entry – available here.
- Apply by 22 October 2025, 17:00 CEST
Find out more about the 4YFN Awards and enter here. Sign up here to be kept updated when registration opens for 4YFN26. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Barcelona in March.
