Laboral Kutxa Award for Financial Transformation
The financial world is undergoing a profound transformation. Digitalisation, advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence are redefining how we understand finance, investment and risk management. At the same time, sustainability and ESG criteria have become key factors in economic decision-making, driving models that aim not only for efficiency but also for a positive impact on people and society.
At Laboral Kutxa, we want to reward those who contribute to this progress and do so with purpose. We are looking for projects that apply innovation to finance —whether from a quantitative, technological or sustainable perspective— to help build a financial system that is more useful, more responsible and more committed to our environment.
Possible themes
The finance of the future is built on data, creativity and technology. Every day, AI and advanced analytics open up new possibilities for better understanding people, anticipating needs, making more informed decisions and designing more useful and accessible financial products. We want to reward projects that demonstrate how AI can become a transformative tool, capable of improving the relationship between banks and their customers, bringing rigour, innovation and real-world solutions.
Financial transformation is not just about innovation: it is about doing so responsibly, with people and the planet in mind. Sustainability, ESG criteria and social impact have become key pillars for building a financial model that is fairer, more transparent and more aligned with global challenges. We are looking for projects that offer ideas on how finance can be a genuine tool for positive transformation, helping to create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable society.
Financial markets are a living laboratory where economics, human behaviour and technology intersect. From traditional investment strategies to new quantitative or predictive models, a variety of tools allow us to better understand an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. This category rewards projects that explore innovative ways to invest, analyse markets, or design financial decisions that are more efficient, rigorous, and aligned with the challenges of a globalised world.
A strong bank is one that can anticipate risks, adapt to change, and provide services that are safe, accessible, and designed with people in mind. Technology and advanced modelling are redefining how we identify, assess, and manage both financial and non-financial risks. This category rewards projects that contribute to a more robust and efficient banking system that is prepared for the regulatory, technological and social challenges of the future.
Discover the experiences of some of the 2025 winners, participants, and judges:
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Jury
-
Leire Barturen Iriondo
Laboral Kutxa
Internal Validation Technique2026 -
Ane Bollada
Laboral Kutxa
Analytics Technician2024, 2025, 2026 -
Ana González
UPNA
Professor in financial economics2024, 2025, 2026 -
Ana Belén Hurtado
Laboral Kutxa
Talent Aquisition2026 -
Leire Legarreta
We Are Clickers
CEO2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Belén Muñiz
Eustat
Manager CEO2024, 2025, 2026 -
Alexander Seoane
Colegio de Ekonomistak
Secretary of the Board of Governors and expert in data and modeling2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Oscar Serradilla
Laboral Kutxa
Quantitative Models Technician in Treasury and Financial Markets2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Jury
-
Nekane Errasti
Mondragon Unibertsitatea
Engineering Coordinator2025, 2026 -
Maria Angeles Hidalgo
Pfizer
Executive Director at Pfizer2025, 2026 -
Arantza Acha
Unesco Etxea
Director2022, 2023 -
Maddalen Agirre
Danobatgroup
People Technique2025, 2026 -
Ion Aguirre Arisketa
UPV/EHU
Student Affairs Vicedean2024, 2025, 2026 -
Itziar Alkorta
UPV/EHU
Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology2026 -
Javier Alli Vierge
LABORAL Kutxa
Sustainability and Quality Coordinator2025, 2026 -
Silvia Almaraz
Bexen
Product & Regulatory Manager2025, 2026 -
Borja Angulo
Leartiker S.Coop.
Human Resources Director2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Ibon Antero
MONDRAGON Corporación
Responsible for sustainability and social transformation2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Nerea Aranguren
DANOBATGROUP
Director of Innovation. BAIC: Vice President2022, 2023 -
Borja Arenaza
Automotive Intelligence Center (AIC)
Business developer2023, 2024 -
Xabier Arrasate Aierbe
Mondragon Unibertsitatea
Coordinator of the Department of Mechanics and Industrial Production2025 -
Iñigo Arrieta Gonzalez
Eika
President2025, 2026 -
Egoitz Arteaga Zugaza-Artaza
Eika
Electronics Business Manager and Basque Language Coordinator2025 -
Hodei Arzak
KREAN S.Coop.
Technical Director2023, 2024 -
Beñat Auzmendi
Orbea S.Coop
Innovation Engineer2023 -
Unai Ayala
Mondragon Unibertsitatea
Health IT Coordinator2025, 2026 -
Rebeca Barrena
MU
Lecturer and Researcher2023 -
Leire Barturen Iriondo
Laboral Kutxa
Internal Validation Technique2026 -
Nerea Basterra
OXFAM Intermon
Head of Private Sector Area2024, 2025, 2026 -
Juan Basterra
Laboral Kutxa
Head of Credit Risk Control2023 -
Imanol Basterretxea
UPV/EHU
Professor in the Department of Financial Economics UPV/EHU2024 -
Iñaki Belaustegi
MONDRAGON Corporación
Head of Digital Development and Management Model2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Laura Bolinaga
MONDRAGON
Head of Social Impact and Inclusion2025, 2026 -
Ane Bollada
Laboral Kutxa
Analytics Technician2024, 2025, 2026 -
Marcelino Caballero
Ikerlan S.Coop.
Market and Projects Director2022, 2023, 2024 -
Marta Carazo
Eroski S.Coop.
Human Resources Director and member of AED (Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Executives) of Bizkaia2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Olga de Miguel
Orbea S.Coop.
Human Resources Director2022, 2023, 2024 -
Asier Diaz de Gereñu
Maristas Centro de Formación Profesional
Business Relationship Coordinator2023, 2024 -
Begoña Echaburu
Mondragon Unibertsitatea, MIK
People and Talent R&D Team Coordinator2025, 2026 -
Lola Elejalde Hernani
Internationalization Director2025, 2026 -
Jesus Fernández
Fagor Ederlan Taldea
Director of Digital Transformation2023 -
Amaia Ferro
MONDRAGON Health y MONDRAGON
Director of Business Development and Transversal Projects2025, 2026 -
Pablo García Bringas
Deusto
Vice Dean of External Relations2025 -
María Gardoki
GSR
Physiotherapist2025, 2026 -
Miguel Angel Gastelurrutia
Colegio de Farmaceuticos de Euskadi
President of the Basque Pharmacists’ Association2025 -
Haizea Gaztañaga
Ikerlan S.Coop. Team
Leader of the Energy Storage and Management Area2023 -
Jon Kepa Gerrikagoitia
BRTA
Scientific Director2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Jone Goirigolzarri Garaizar
Deustuko Unibertsitatea
Lecturer and researcher en University of Deusto2025, 2026 -
Itsaso Gonzalez
MU
Lecturer and Researcher2024 -
Ana González
UPNA
Professor in financial economics2024, 2025, 2026 -
Alaitz Gonzalez
Copreci
Management systems coordinator2026 -
Nekane Gonzalez Gerriko
Emun
Translator, proofreader and consultant2025, 2026 -
Ana Belén Hurtado
Laboral Kutxa
Talent Aquisition2026 -
Mikel Iturbe Urretxa
Mondragon Unibertsitatea
Docente investigador Mondragon Unibertsitatea2026 -
Leire Lagunilla
Bizkaia Talent
Innovation Manager2024, 2025, 2026 -
Iñigo Larrea
MONDRAGON Corporación.
Talent Manager2022 -
Iker Laskurain Iturbe
Danobatgroup
Director of the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering2026 -
Rosa María Lavin Ibarra
Konfekoop
President2025, 2026 -
Maite Legarra
MONDRAGON Corporación
Talent attraction and development2023, 2024, 2025 -
Leire Legarreta
We Are Clickers
CEO2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Esti León
42 Urduliz
Director / Area of Employability and Educational Innovation | Telefónica Foundation2024, 2025, 2026 -
Jesus Lizarraga
MU
Telematics and Cybersecurity Area Coordinator2024, 2025 -
Ane Luengo
Bexen
People Technique2025, 2026 -
Natalia Maeso
Microsoft y PWN Bilbao
Cloud Regions Lead – South Europe (Microsoft) and VP of Networking & Strategic Initiatives (PWN Bilbao)2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Laura Marrón
BAIC
Director2023 -
Olga Martín
Aclima
Managing Director2024, 2025, 2026 -
Iñigo Martin Aizpuru
Ikerlan
Sales and Public Administration Manager2025, 2026 -
Myriam Mateo
Fagor Arrasate
Sustainability manager2026 -
Gorka Mendiaraz
Erreka
Medical business director2025, 2026 -
Luis Mir
Ikerlan
Head of Energy Storage and Power Electronics department2025, 2026 -
Belén Muñiz
Eustat
Manager CEO2024, 2025, 2026 -
Leire Okarantza
Fagor Taldea
Social Management Officer2026 -
María Ortiz Unzaga
LKS Next
Senior Consultant in Strategy and Healthcare2026 -
Olaia Otero
Orbea
People Area Technician2023, 2024 -
Aritz Otxandiano
Grupo Fagor
Sustainability and Communication Manager2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Endika Palacio
Laboral Kutxa
Talent Management Director2023, 2024, 2025 -
Alberto Pérez
AIC
Training manager2024 -
Alvaro Pérez
Laboral Kutxa
Innovation technician and open business2023 -
Eneko Perez
Ikerlan
Head of People2025, 2026 -
Joseba Sagastigordia
MONDRAGON Centro Promoción
Mondragon Ventures Director2025 -
Vanesa Salgueiro Losada
Eika
HR Technician2025, 2026 -
Maria José Sanz
BC3
Scientific Director2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Alexander Seoane
Colegio de Ekonomistak
Secretary of the Board of Governors and expert in data and modeling2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Oscar Serradilla
Laboral Kutxa
Quantitative Models Technician in Treasury and Financial Markets2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 -
Natalia Serrano
Celltoki
Key Account Manager2026 -
Ibon Serrano
Ideko S. Coop.
Project Manager2023, 2024 -
Ibon Serrano
IDEKO
2025, 2026 -
Iñaki Suarez
BAIC
Head of Technology2024, 2025, 2026 -
Teresa Tejero
Ondoan
Director of the Environment and PRL Unit2024 -
Edurne Uribe
Laboral Kutxa
Market Risk Control Technician2024, 2025 -
Roberto Uribeetxebarria Ezpeleta
Danobatgroup
Telematics and Cybersecurity Area Coordinator2026
Sign up
And before you start registering, please note!
- We will choose the finalist projects only by analysing the information that you write in the registration form, please pay attention and care when filling it in!
- If you have written your work in Basque language, please fill in the form also in Basque. Keep doing science in Basque!
