Paying tribute to new ways of working

The Somos Empresa Awards were handed out for the first time yesterday, paying tribute to companies who are committed to the values of sustainability, innovation and better work/life balance. Desarrolla, Genesal, Onyx, Batec, Novgen, and Construcciones Lazpiur were the winners of this first edition of an event that aims to honor all those who are behind each and every project. The awards are organized by Banco Popular in collaboration with EL PAÍS and Cadena SER. The gala took place at Madrid’s Teatro Real and was hosted by Macarena Berlín.

The awards are divided into six categories and recognize all those who innovate in technology, export their products, help improve society, care about the environment, undertake new projects and, in short, inspire.

The prize for innovation, Somos Innovadores, went to Desarolla, a construction company that has clearly shown how to develop projects in a different way. Thanks to technological tools, the company gives customers real-time information on the progress of work and allows them to communicate instantly with the company.

Being truly competitive abroad was another of the values singled out by the awards. The winner in the international category, Somos Internacionales, was Genesal, a company specializing in distributed power solutions and present in thirty countries.

Onyx took home the prize for sustainability. The raw material for this business project is the sun and the goal is to bring solar power to as many buildings as possible. The company manufactures photovoltaic transparent glass that is used in the the replacement of conventional construction materials in different parts of the building such as façades, windows, or roofs.

Batec Mobility was the the winner of the award Somos Conciliadores. The company was founded by Pau Bach, who has required the use of a wheelchair since the age of 18. Ever since then he has been devising and manufacturing alternative mobility solutions for persons with disability.

Augusto Anguita Ruiz and Javier Borrego Gil together set up Novgen during the last year of their degree in Biochemistry. They were the winners of the Somos Futuro award. Their project allows a single saliva sample to be studied for crucial parameters related to nutrition and sport as well as offer personalized advice. The company has the backing of a group of university-based scientists at the University of Granada.

Construcciones Lazpiur was chosen as the most inspirational company. Headed by Miguel and Agustin Lazpiur, the third generation in the family business, they currently build machinery and automotive parts for the likes of Mercedes and their products are exported to 25 countries.

The members of the jury were: Helena Revoredo, president of Prosegur; Isidoro J. Alanis, president of Eurodivisas, Global Exchange Group; Javier Ayuso,deputy director of El País; Santiago Iñiguez, president of IE University and Dean of IE Business School; Javier del Pino, director of Cadena SER radio show A vivir que son dos días; Jorge Rivera, editor-in-chief of Cinco Días; Ángel Ron, president of the Banco Popular Group; and Venancio Salcines, president of the Corporación Escuela de Finanzas.