The technological revolution has been a great stimulus for entrepreneurship among the younger generations. There have been several reasons for this, from the most accessible innovations and possible applications, to reducing the difficultly often involved in the creation of a technology company. This has also contributed to the example of young entrepreneurs who, in a short period of time, have created business corporations of huge capitalisation, or have achieved impressive capital gains. In any case, both the stimulus of entrepreneurship and the creation of an economic sector based on new technologies constitute two realities that any advanced economy must incorporate. In this dynamic, the transition from start-up, understood as an example of dynamism and embryo of a business project, to a business, understood as a reality rooted in a territory, generator of wealth and employment and with a focus on the long term is essential. Following the creation of the first start-ups in our economy, as time passes, we can identify those which have successfully travelled the path to becoming companies.
With this Prize awarded by the Cercle d’Economia Foundation, we want to recognise the ability to move a project from its infancy to maturity. Thus, today, these companies constitute a source of wealth and stable employment, while a large number of their founders and top managers are people committed to their social and economic environment, generating an added wealth.
At the same time, with this Award we intend to remember José Manuel Lara, who was the President of the Cercle d’Economia and an exemplary entrepreneur with ambition and purpose. He understood that the employer’s obligation was to take the necessary risks for growth, and the creation of long-term value. He also endorsed that call which Jaume Vicens Vives made to the founders of the Cercle more than 60 years ago, actively engaging with the common welfare and general progress of society and made it his own. In this first edition of the Award, the Jury has decided to recognise the following companies:
Presentation: At the Cercle d’Economia Meeting, Sitges, Thursday 30th May at 7 p.m.
