Transfiere 2026 closes its XV anniversary with recognition of excellence in communication, business innovation, and disruptive knowledge

Málaga, 26 February 2026. – Transfiere, the Forum for Science, Technology, and Innovation, today closed its XV anniversary after three intensive days of dialogue, cooperation, and opportunity generation that brought together key actors in the scientific, technological, and business sectors, in an emblematic edition that reaffirmed its position as a hub for knowledge transfer within the Spanish and international R&D&I ecosystem, which over its 15 editions has hosted more than 50,000 visitors from around the world, over 3,200 speakers, and more than 15,700 entities, including universities, technology transfer offices, tech centers, companies, investors, and public administrations.

The 2026 edition concluded with a total attendance of 4,700 participants, underscoring its status as a central meeting point for the innovation ecosystem. Over the three days, the event brought together companies, institutions, universities, tech centers, and sector professionals, creating a fertile environment for knowledge exchange, synergy building, and the promotion of new collaboration and business opportunities.

As is customary at Transfiere, the closing ceremony featured recognition of excellence in communication, business innovation, and disruptive knowledge, with awards presented to organizations, initiatives, and professionals who have made outstanding contributions to scientific and technological advancement and demonstrated tangible impact in the productive sector.

XI Foro Transfiere Journalism Award for Support of Scientific, Technological, and Innovative Communication

Transfiere 2026 celebrated the XI edition of the Foro Transfiere Journalism Awards for Support of Scientific, Technological, and Innovative Communication, created to recognize the work of journalists in promoting technological innovation developed in Spain and its international convergence. In 2026, a total of 47 works competed across categories, including written media, audiovisual media, radio, and the public award.

In the written media category, the winning work was How a Spanish Superdrone (and Antidrone) Is Built by Martín Mucha, published in CRÓNICA, the special report supplement of EL MUNDO, with the award presented by Lorena Garrido, regional deputy minister of University, Research, and Innovation of the Junta de Andalucía. Finalists included Rare Earths: The Unexpected Wealth of Huelva’s Acidic Waters by Francisco Muñoz Zafra, published in Huelva Información, and Spain Conquers Space by Juan Ramón Gómez Gómez, published in Muy Interesante.

In the audiovisual media category, the winning work was Custom Lenses by Manuel Carlos González Hernández, published in RTVE Play’s Zoom Net, with the award presented by Pedro García Demestres, founder and director of R+D Explainers Group and jury member. Finalists included Bioethics by Alba Morán Álvarez (Tamos Guapxs, RTPA), and From Research Center to Company by Alaitz Ochoa de Eribe Aguirre (Teknopolis, EITB).

In the radio category, the winning piece was A Team from Alicante Helps Four Blind People “Recognize Shapes and Letters” Using Brain Electrodes by Javier Ruiz Martínez (Hora 25, Cadena SER), awarded by Nacho Román, general manager of FYCMA. Finalists included Smoke-Free Engineering: The Tractor That Pulls the Future by Javier Bolaños Rufo (Cambio Climático, Canal Sur Radio), and SMRs Progress in the Nuclear Debate by Álvaro Gómez Casado (Más de Uno, Onda Cero Segovia).

Special mentions in equality were awarded to Spain Conquers Space (written media) and From Research Center to Company (audiovisual media), presented by Fernando Mérida, deputy director of Knowledge Transfer at the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. The science communication program Órbita Laika received a special mention for its trajectory.

The Public Award went to Antonella Pino d’Astore, presented by Felipe Romera, president of the Transfiere Organizing Committee. Teresa Arnandis, researcher, university lecturer, and science communicator, was a finalist.

VI Open Call for Deep Tech Startups

Awards were also presented in the VI Open Call for Deep Tech Startups, designed to give visibility to disruptive projects before national and international investors and sector experts. This initiative is supported by the Enterprise Europe Network, the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, Fundación Unicaja, and the Global Innopolis Network Initiative (GINI), reflecting the strength of the deep tech ecosystem and its capacity to transform technology into real solutions.

The winner was Altum Sequencing, with Calpech, Deep Detection, Orbital Boost Aerospace, and PhotoKrete as finalists. Awards were presented by Mannix Manglani, from the Board of Directors of the Clúster Canarias Excelencia Tecnológica, and Sebastien Garbarino, innovation director of PRIMA Québec, representing GINI. Over 15 years, Transfiere has hosted more than 400 prototypes, over 500 funds and accelerators, and thousands of professional meetings that have connected entrepreneurial talent, investors, and corporations, consolidating the forum as a strategic space to promote innovative entrepreneurship.

Innovative Company Award – Transfiere Tracciona 2026

The III Innovative Company Award – Transfiere Tracciona 2026 recognizes the active role and strategic support of companies that participate annually in Transfiere. This award distinguishes entities that contribute to strengthening the innovation ecosystem, promote public-private collaboration, and facilitate knowledge transfer between the scientific sector and businesses, consolidating a reference space for technological development and competitiveness.

This year, the award went to Bioazul, a consulting firm specializing in innovation and sustainability, which was selected as the most voted project by participants and website users among 23 applications from multinational corporations, SMEs, micro-SMEs, and startups. The award was presented by Lorena Garrido, regional deputy Minister of University, Research, and Innovation of the Junta de Andalucía.

Transfiere 2026

Over 600 entities, companies, and public administrations participated actively in this edition, along with delegations and registrants from more than 20 countries, including Germany, Belgium, Canada, China, Republic of Korea, Spain, the United States, France, Italy, Kenya, Morocco, Moldova, the Netherlands, and Portugal. The program featured approximately 100 thematic panels with over 300 speakers, while the academic sector was represented by 50 national and international universities. In terms of territorial representation, a dozen autonomous communities and cities participated in Transfiere 2026.

Transfiere Tracciona

Within Transfiere 2026, Transfiere Tracciona strengthened its role as a strategic space to highlight the role of companies in knowledge transfer and in building an innovation-based economy. The initiative positions companies—from large corporations in telecom and energy sectors to startups and emerging projects in tech consulting and intellectual property—as key drivers of the ecosystem, facilitating the identification of innovative projects, creation of strategic alliances, and advancement of public-private collaboration. Sustained corporate participation, alongside leading companies acting as driving entities, consolidates Transfiere as a key environment to boost competitiveness, internationalization, and economic development. This recognition is also reflected in the Innovative Company Award “Transfiere Tracciona – Foro Transfiere”, awarded in the previous edition to Telefónica Empresas.

Transfiere is organized by the City of Málaga, the Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation of the Junta de Andalucía, and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. FYCMA assumes executive management of the event. The Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands is Premium Partner. Golden Partners are the Global Innopolis Network Initiative (GINI) and INNVIERTE. Silver Partners include Madrid Emprende (City of Madrid), the City of Salamanca and Salamanca Tech, the Community of Madrid and Fundación madri+d, Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía (CTA), the Provincial Council of Málaga, EMASA, Limasam, Mecides, Andalucía TRADE, Telefónica, and the University of Málaga (UMA).

All information about the forum is available at  www.forotransfiere.com, and on its profiles: Facebook, X and Linkedin.