On Friday, October 17, 2025, the California Spain Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural Bridges of Innovation Gala at The Green Room in San Francisco, bringing together Spanish entrepreneurs, investors, startups, and community leaders for a night of celebration, recognition, and networking.

The evening began with a warm welcome and opening remarks from the Consul General of Spain in San Francisco, Carlos Medina, who highlighted the importance of collaboration between Spain and California and the remarkable impact of the Spanish business community.

The gala then honored exceptional achievements with three prestigious awards:

  • Rising Startup Award, granted to HappyRobot and received by Javier Palafox.

  • VC Investment Impact Award, awarded to Pear VC and accepted by Mar Hershenson.

  • CEO & Company of the Year, awarded to Avangrid and its CEO Pedro Azagra, accepted on his behalf by Jorge Pedrón Pardo. Pedro shared a video message expressing his gratitude.

Thanks to Iberia, a special airline ticket raffle brought joy to two lucky attendees and added a lively highlight to the evening.

The celebration continued with a speech from the Chamber President, followed by an elegant dinner, networking, and moments to connect, reflect, and enjoy the stunning views of City Hall.

The Bridges of Innovation Gala 2025 marked a memorable first edition and the beginning of a new annual tradition, celebrating the best of Spain in Silicon Valley and fostering connections across the Atlantic.

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