Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom head the entrepreneurial ecosystem in The Gap in Between’s Startup Challenge

• The Startup Challenge gives visibility to startups from all over the world and offers an award of up to €10,000.
• This competition is part of The Gap in Between, an event by Social Nest Foundation to accelerate the transition towards a more just, regenerative and inclusive economy.
• Almost 100 % of the finalist startups include women in their founding teams.
• The event will bring together entrepreneurial talent from four continents in Valencia on 21 October, with solutions for cities, energy and resilience.

Valencia, 14 October 2025– Social Nest Foundation, a global platform that promotes solutions to social and environmental challenges, has announced the finalists of the Startup Challenge, one of the core activities of the event The Gap in Between 2025, to be held on 21 October at La Marina de Valencia.

The Startup Challenge is an international call that connects impact projects with capital, networks and strategic partners for scaling. The selected startups present sustainable models and products for which they have already developed a first functional version, demonstrating that their proposal has real potential for impact and scalability. They will compete in two categories: Early Stage, where the winning startup will receive a €5,000 prize, and Growth Stage, with a recognition of €10,000. Finalists will gain access to event spaces, visibility, mentorship, networking and direct contact with investors.

The 20 finalist startups in the Startup Challenge have been selected from over 500 international projects, reflecting the high level of competitiveness and quality of the proposals received. These initiatives are grouped under three main thematic pillars that define the key challenges of today and tomorrow:

• Cities of Tomorrow, focused on solutions for smart and sustainable urban environments.
• From Extraction to Regeneration, promoting economic and production models that are more circular and environmentally respectful. 
• Socio-Economic Resilience, aimed at strengthening communities and systems in the face of social and economic crises.

Moreover, the data collected on the founding teams of the finalists reveal a positive trend towards inclusion: 99.6 % of the finalist startups have women among their founding teams. According to the Mapa del Emprendimiento 2024 by South Summit, only 20 % of startups in Spain have women founders. That is why the high proportion of women among the finalists of The Gap In Between highlights their transformative role in the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem.

With regard to the sectors represented in the Early Stage and Growth Stage categories, Sustainability, Health, Education, Artificial Intelligence and Energy are particularly prominent, reflecting the Startup Challenge’s focus on technological solutions with social and environmental impact. This sectoral and talent diversity reinforces The Gap in Between’s commitment to building an inclusive and transformative ecosystem.

The final startups come from various regions across the world, but five countries stand out for their representation in both categories. Spain leads the ranking with 25 % participation in the Growth Stage and 14.29 % in the Early Stage, consolidating its position as a benchmark in impact innovation. It is followed by Italy and the United Kingdom, both with 12.5 % in the Growth Stage and 14.29 % in the Early Stage, reflecting their dynamism in sectors such as sustainability, health and energy. Germany and Mexico also reach 14.29 % in the Early Stage, showcasing the geographic and thematic diversity of the entrepreneurial ecosystem driven by The Gap in Between.

“At Social Nest Foundation, we work to ensure that innovation is not only technological, but also profoundly human. The Startup Challenge reflects our conviction that entrepreneurship must serve a regenerative, inclusive and resilient economy. We support solutions that integrate sustainability as a business strategy, not a trend, and diverse and inclusive teams that understand impact as a driver of real transformation,” said Margarita Albors, founder and president of Social Nest Foundation.

The final startups of the Startup Challenge are as follows:

Early Stage Finalists:

• MedAi Limited: AI to improve inclusive access to primary healthcare.
• Coffeefrom SIAVS: recycled materials made from coffee waste.
• Diptera.ai: biotechnology for sustainable mosquito control.
• Climate Technology Solutions: intelligent software for energy management.
• Wuupi: inclusive platform for people with disabilities.
• Electrogenos: electrolysers for affordable green hydrogen.
• Bluease: SaaS for environmental management of events.
• Dendron: startup focused on regenerative agriculture and carbon capture solutions.
• Naria: working on food traceability through blockchain.
• Reefy: modular structures to restore marine ecosystems and protect coastlines.

Growth Stage Finalists:

• Jade Autism: gaming platform for neurodivergent children.
• ATOM H2: hybrid energy storage using solid hydrogen.
• Gravity Wave: circular economy initiative to combat marine pollution.
• eFrontiers: gamified microlearning for financial education.
• PLANTNER: algae-based biotechnology for sustainable materials.
• Novac S.r.l.: supercapacitors for demanding environments.
• Energy Shift: blockchain platform for co-investment in solar energy.
• ELDES: AI-based platform for teaching sign language.
• Sidekick: technology for mental health using advanced psychological practices.
• Bzeos: developing biodegradable marine bioplastics.

The Gap in Between has established itself as a space for connection, reflection and action for changemakers, entrepreneurs, investors, institutions and citizens. Organised by Social Nest Foundation, the event aims to accelerate the transition towards a fairer, more regenerative and inclusive economy.

Tickets are available here, and all proceeds will go directly to support recovery projects following the October 2024 DANA storm through the Felisa Foundation.

About Social Nest Foundation: Founded in 2010, Social Nest Foundation is a global platform that provides impact-driven entrepreneurs and investors with the resources needed to consolidate and grow new solutions to the most pressing challenges facing humanity. Today, the foundation has a network of 670 startups, 800 investors and 80 companies, and leads programmes and activities that have already engaged over 16,000 people, with the aim of paving the way for positive social and environmental impact. More information: https://socialnest.org/en/