Turicleta Named Castilla-La Mancha’s Most Promising Startup
At Turicleta, we’re thrilled to share some exciting news that we’ve been celebrating for the past few days: we have been named the winner of the EmprendeXXI Castilla-La Mancha 2026 Award, the annual recognition presented by CaixaBank, in collaboration with ENISA, to the startup with the greatest growth potential in each Spanish autonomous community.
For a company born in Castilla-La Mancha that has made rural areas its market, its testing ground, and its home, this award means far more than a headline. It confirms that the path we chose back in 2022—bringing electric bike rentals and sustainable mobility to rural tourism—wasn’t an odd idea. It was a missing piece of infrastructure.
An Award Recognizing the Region’s Most Promising Startup
EmprendeXXI is far from an ordinary startup competition. It is one of the most prestigious entrepreneurship awards in Spain and Portugal, and many of the companies that have gone through the program are now leaders in their industries. Reaching the regional final is already a significant achievement. Winning it, given the strength of today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in Castilla-La Mancha, is an honor we accept with great humility.
Because—and this is what we really want to highlight—the standard of this year’s finalists was exceptionally high. More importantly, nearly all of them shared the same vision: applying innovation to strengthen rural communities.
Rural Innovation: The Common Thread of This Year’s Edition
For years, we have defended a simple idea: without innovation, there is no thriving rural future. Beautiful landscapes and good intentions are not enough. Rural areas need technology, science, and sustainable business models if they are to remain vibrant places to live and work.
That is why we are especially proud to have shared this year's stage with companies such as:
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Fluviq, which is reinventing irrigation. In a country where water is one of the most strategic resources, what Fluviq is building is, quite literally, part of the future.
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Naplatec, which is transforming the production of crocins—the bioactive compounds that give saffron its exceptional health value. One of Castilla-La Mancha’s most iconic crops is becoming a driver of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical innovation.
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BigGuardian, whose technology enables continuous, non-invasive livestock health monitoring, helping farmers improve animal welfare and productivity.
Precision irrigation, saffron biotechnology, digital livestock health... and, in our case, a rural network of electric bikes as tourism infrastructure. At first glance, these may seem like four completely different industries. In reality, they all deliver the same message: rural areas do not need nostalgia—they need innovation.
What Turicleta Brings to This Ecosystem
Our mission is to build Spain’s first rural tourism mobility network: autonomous smart stations, a fleet of electric bikes designed for varied terrain and riders, and our own app that allows visitors to book bikes, make payments, and discover local cycling routes. Everything is delivered as a turnkey solution for municipalities, accommodation providers, and end users.
Behind every station lies a broader vision: when visitors can explore a village or an entire region without relying on a car, everyone benefits. Rural destinations become more accessible, more heritage sites are discovered, spending is spread across local businesses, and carbon emissions are reduced. Outside the tourist season, that same network also serves local residents who need reliable everyday transportation. Tourism finances the network; the network helps transform rural communities.
A Major Boost for Turicleta—and for Rural Areas
We can say it without hesitation: winning the EmprendeXXI Castilla-La Mancha Award is a tremendous boost for Turicleta. It brings greater visibility, stronger validation, and increased institutional confidence. We are deeply grateful to CaixaBank, the judging panel, the institutions behind the program, and the outstanding startups with whom we had the privilege of sharing the regional final.
But when we step back and look at the bigger picture, this recognition goes beyond our company. Every time a startup working for rural communities gains visibility, the entire territory benefits. Investors take notice. Municipalities become more curious. Young entrepreneurs discover that it is possible to build cutting-edge technology from a village with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. What is good for one rural startup is good for the whole rural innovation ecosystem.
That is why we remain focused on the road ahead: more stations, more bikes, and more connected villages.
And above all, thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point.
Rent your bike, wherever your journey takes you. 🚲