The Vision: Why Impulse Awards?

• Driving the Economy: Sergey highlighted that foreign entrepreneurs aren't just participating in the Spanish economy; they are actively driving it. With expats making up 96.5% of the growth in self-employed workers over the last four years, the Impulse Awards exist to recognize and amplify this incredible impact.
• Community Over Competition: Amy emphasized that when entrepreneurs stop competing and start collaborating, magic happens. The awards are designed to be a safe, supportive platform where we open doors for each other, share resources, and grow as a collective.
• A Platform for Growth: Maria and Anna reminded us that this is more than an award—it’s a platform for visibility and self-reflection. Preparing a nomination helps founders step back, analyze their strategies, and connect with other "everyday heroes" who are building businesses from scratch in a new country.

Key Dates & The "Impulse Hub"

• March 31, 2026: Deadline for Nominations. We encourage you to submit early! The sooner you enter the process, the more time we have to prepare your introductory materials and feature you on our social media channels.
• April 25, 2026: Impulse Hub (Acceleration Day). A live networking and pitching event held at Hotspot Creative Space (16:00 – 21:00). Semi-finalists will pitch their projects on the upper floor, while the ground floor will host a "Project Boost" zone featuring speed-consulting with experts in marketing, legal (Autonomo), psychology, and more.

The Evaluation Process

Christina detailed our transparent, multi-step judging process:

• Focus on Impact: Categories are no longer strictly divided by industry (e.g., restaurant vs. restaurant). Instead, they focus on the nature of your contribution (e.g., Social Impact, Innovation, Marketing Excellence).
• Interviews: All nominees will go through a short, friendly interview to help the jury get to know the person behind the business.
• Independent Jury: Projects are reviewed by an independent panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and past winners to ensure fair, unbiased, and comprehensive evaluations based on strategic vision, execution, and sustainability.

Top Questions & Answers (Q&A)

Q: Can I nominate myself? Can I nominate multiple businesses? A: Yes, and yes! You are absolutely welcome to nominate yourself—be proud of your achievements! You can also nominate as many different companies as you like across various categories.
Q: What if I am nominated for a category, but it isn't the best fit for my business? A: Don’t worry! During the short interview phase, we will cross-check the categories with you. If we collectively feel your project shines brighter in a different category, we will adjust it. It's a collaborative process to find the best fit for your impact.
Q: What is the etiquette for nominating someone else? Should I tell them? A: It depends on the person! Some love the surprise of finding out they’ve been nominated by a peer or client. Regardless of how they are nominated, our team will officially contact every nominee to congratulate them, confirm their willingness to participate, and approve their public profile before we post anything online. Visibility is strictly ethical and consensual.
Q: Does a nominee need to be an official, registered business (e.g., Autonomo)? A: We have categories that fit different stages of the entrepreneurial journey. For official "Business Process" or "Founder" categories, official status is necessary. However, for creative, influencer, or community-driven categories, you do not need to have a formalized corporate structure. Please note that participation means you are comfortable with public visibility.
Q: Why is there a "Women Founders" category but no "Male Founders" category? A: Traditionally, the business world has been highly male-dominated. Female entrepreneurs often face additional societal, financial, and time constraints (especially mothers). This specific category exists to highlight and balance that gap. However, men are highly encouraged to participate and are eligible to win in almost all other categories (e.g., Marketing Excellence, Innovation, Impact Project). We are also open to introducing a Male Founder category in the future!
Q: Do I need to prepare a formal presentation for the nominee interview? A: No formal presentation is required. The interview is a free-flowing conversation to understand your vision and impact. However, if you have a pitch deck or additional materials you'd like to share, you are more than welcome to bring them!
Q: Can the community itself be nominated (e.g., Mamas & Biz)? A: Yes, communities make a massive impact. For communities closely tied to our organizing team (like Mamas & Biz), we are working on special recognitions or having other community leaders represent them to maintain strict ethical boundaries and fairness in the competitive categories.

Call to Action

The Impulse Awards are a celebration of you—the resilient, creative, and hard-working entrepreneurs making an impact every single day.
Don't wait! Nominate yourself, your favorite local business, or an inspiring peer today.

👉 Nomination Form Here

We look forward to reading your stories and seeing you at the Impulse Hub in April!