- Torrevieja hosted the awards ceremony for the 3rd edition of “Torrevieja Emprende,” recognizing startups with innovative projects.
- “Vesty,” a fashion-focused app, won the €2,500 grand prize for innovation and growth potential.
- “eat With Us” and “Achavo” shared the €2,000 prize in strategic municipal sectors (restaurant tech and regional creativity).
- Special mentions were given too lasting swimwear brand Circu and online nautical academy Atar Cabos.
- Finalists received support including one-year free memberships with JOVEMPA Vega Baja,strengthening local entrepreneurship.
Torrevieja Emprende 2024: Celebrating Innovation in Fashion, Restaurants & Arts
Torrevieja has once again proven its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation through the recent awards ceremony of the third edition of Torrevieja Emprende. This initiative, jointly launched by the Scientific Park of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche and the Torrevieja City Council, spotlights projects that drive the economy of the region, emphasizing creativity, technology, and sustainability.
Innovative Winners Taking Center Stage
This year’s awards recognized three standout projects that impressed the jury with their originality and potential impact on both the municipality and the greater comarca (region):
| Project | Category | Description | Prize (€) | Team Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vesty | Innovation & Growth Potential | Mobile app tailored for the fashion sector to enhance shopping experiences and business operations. | 2,500 | Pablo Gomariz, Alberto García, Izhar Sanz |
| Eat With Us | Strategic Sectors (Restaurant Tech) | Platform optimizing restaurant order management to streamline service and operations. | 1,000 | Selene Gisbert, Javier Bernaola, Diego Bellido |
| Achavo | Strategic Sectors (Cultural & Audiovisual) | Promotes and showcases artistic and audiovisual talent from the Vega Baja area. | 1,000 | Paola Murcia, Asunción Penalva |
Special Mentions Recognize Sustainability and Education
The jury also awarded special mentions to two other promising initiatives:
- Circu: A sustainable swimwear fashion brand championing eco-amiable production, led by Ángela Martí.
- Atar cabos: An innovative online nautical academy offering accessible maritime education, created by Carolina González, José Hernández, and Daniel Velarde.
event Details & Jury Panel
The winners were announced on Thursday, june 26, at the “Start-up Talks Torrevieja” event, following presentations made to the jury the previous Friday. The jury was comprised of respected figures from varied sectors including:
- Ricardo Recuero – Torrevieja City councilor
- Carlos Pérez – Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UMH
- Rafael Legido – Vice President of JOVEMPA Vega Baja
- Javier Sancho – Director of Entrepreneurship at UMH Scientific Park
- Carlos Carmona – President of the Real Club Náutico
- Álvaro Barrio – CEO of Toloal
Supporting Growth Beyond the awards
Beyond prize money, finalists such as Aura Baby, Humus estrategias Regenerativas, and Deditos Barefoot gained a powerful boost by receiving a one-year free membership with JOVEMPA Vega Baja, a key player in promoting young entrepreneurs in the region.
Torrevieja Emprende: Impact and Future Outlook
Since its inception, Torrevieja Emprende has received nearly 50 submissions, tutoring 30 to assist in business development. This third edition alone saw 22 entrepreneurs present 15 projects, cementing the program as a basic tool to drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation in Torrevieja and surrounding areas.
The program’s focus on diverse sectors – from fashion technology to restaurant efficiency to regional art promotion – vividly illustrates the area’s entrepreneurial spirit and future-ready mindset.
Why Torrevieja Emprende Matters:
- encourages local startups to scale with expert mentorship and financial support.
- Connects academic knowledge from UMH with practical entrepreneurial initiatives.
- strengthens regional identity by highlighting Vega Baja’s cultural and economic assets.
- Promotes sustainability and innovation in emerging business sectors.
Keep an eye on these promising startups as they continue to shape the future of Torrevieja and beyond.
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