PERSEI Space named Most Innovative Start-up with Greatest Potential in Madrid
Recognition at the 19th edition of the Premios EmprendeXXI, organised by CaixaBank DayOne, Enisa and Fundación Madrid+d
A landmark recognition for PERSEI Space and the Spanish deep-tech ecosystem. PERSEI Space is proud to announce that it has been selected as the most innovative start-up with the greatest potential and impact in the Community of Madrid at the 19th edition of the Premios EmprendeXXI. The award is organised by CaixaBank, through its DayOne division specialising in high-growth technology companies and their investors, and by the Ministerio de Industria y Turismo through Enisa | Empresa Nacional de Innovación, with the support of Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d.
The prize was awarded at a ceremony held in Madrid on 24 March 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and leading figures from the regional innovation ecosystem. PERSEI Space was selected from a field of 199 candidates, 26 more than in the previous edition, across one of Spain's most competitive and diverse start-up landscapes.
Jesús Manuel Muñoz Tejeda presenting PERSEI Space's case for propellant-free orbital mobility at the Premios EmprendeXXI pitch session, Community of Madrid, March 2026. Photo credits: CaixaBank DayOne.
PERSEI Space: sustainable technology for a responsible use of space. PERSEI Space is a deep-tech start-up and spin-off of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), currently incubated at European Space Agency (ESA) BIC Madrid and Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d. The company develops propellant-free deorbiting and in-space propulsion systems based on electrodynamic tether (EDT) technology, targeting two of the most pressing challenges facing the global space sector: the accumulation of space debris and the growing demand for cost-efficient in-orbit servicing.
Electrodynamic tethers are conductive structures deployed in orbit that interact with the Earth's magnetic field and ionospheric plasma to generate a Lorentz force, producing drag or thrust without consuming any onboard propellant. This enables lighter, more cost-efficient systems for a range of applications, from end-of-life satellite deorbiting to active debris removal and propellant-free station-keeping.
PERSEI Space's current flagship activity is the development and upcoming in-orbit demonstration of the E.T.PACK-F deorbiting system, planned for 2027 under a European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition project. The company also leads the ECO-Tethers study, a European Space Agency (ESA) funded contract involving Thales Alenia Space Italy and Astroscale France as partners, and serves as Technical Coordinator for Domain 2 of the ESA Zero Debris Charter.
"This award recognises the work of an entire team whose co-founders have spent years making something genuinely new. The challenge of clearing space debris is real, and technologies like electrodynamic tethers can be part of the solution. We are grateful to CaixaBank DayOne, Enisa, Fundación Madri+d and all the other supporters for shining a light on what is being built at a national level," said Jesús Manuel Muñoz Tejeda, CEO and Co-Founder of PERSEI Space.
Award ceremony: Jesús Manuel Muñoz Tejeda (PERSEI Space, centre) receiving the Premios EmprendeXXI award for the Community of Madrid, alongside representatives of CaixaBank DayOne and Enisa. Photo credits: CaixaBank DayOne.
The jury responsible for selecting the winning company was composed of prominent figures from Madrid's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, including Jose Maria Blasco Ruiz (ICEX), Andres Tallos (Endeavour), Paloma Castellano (Wayra), Alvaro Falcones Muñoz (Tax Down), and Isabel Caruana (Ailin Health). The award ceremony also welcomed Rodrigo Robledo, Director General of Financial Policy and Treasury of the Community of Madrid. The award was received by Jesús Manuel Muñoz Tejeda and given by José Góngora and Inma Moretón.
Beyond the recognition itself, the prize provides PERSEI Space with access to an international accelerator programme in Berlin in collaboration with Esade, participation in the EmprendeXXI Investors Day, and membership of the AlumniXXI community, a network of award-winning start-up founders across Spain and Portugal. The company also receives a cash prize of €6,000.
Jesús Manuel Muñoz Tejeda presenting PERSEI Space on stage at the Premios EmprendeXXI event, Community of Madrid, March 2026. Photo credits: CaixaBank DayOne.
Now in their 19th edition, the Premios EmprendeXXI are among the most established and recognised awards for innovative start-ups in Spain and Portugal. Since 2007, the programme has distributed nearly €10 million in prizes and support actions benefiting more than 560 companies. In this edition, the awards focus specifically on identifying projects that generate value through technology, improve quality of life, and address environmental challenges through innovative solutions.
The Premios EmprendeXXI award for the Community of Madrid, 19th edition (2025–26), presented by CaixaBank DayOne and Enisa.
PERSEI Space is a deep-tech start-up and spin-off from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), founded in 2023. The company develops propellant-free deorbiting and in-space propulsion products based on electrodynamic tether technology, addressing space debris mitigation and the growing demand for in-orbit servicing.
PERSEI Space is the prime contractor of ECO-Tethers (ESA ITT 1-12998) and is preparing the 2027 in-orbit demonstration of the E.T.PACK-F deorbiting system. The company is a signatory of ESA's Zero Debris Charter and leads its Technical Domain 2 coordination activities.
For more information about PERSEI Space and its technology, visit www.perseispace.com or contact the team directly.