The X Talento Challenge is an initiative of Fundación ONCE that promotes social entrepreneurship and innovation among young people with and without disabilities. Working in inclusive teams, participants identify a challenge in their surroundings and develop a proposal with a positive social impact, supported by professionals and experts throughout the process.
Turn an idea into a project with social impact.
Collaborate with young people with and without disabilities to come up with more innovative solutions.
Develop skills, receive mentoring and present your project to a professional jury.
The contest takes place in two stages, enabling an initial idea to be transformed into a social-impact project, with professional guidance provided throughout the process.
Teams identify a challenge in their community and present an initial project idea using a Canvas template, supported by educational materials and resources designed to facilitate this first stage.
The 25 selected teams develop their Project Plan with guidance from professionals from partner companies, supported by materials tailored to each stage of the process.
The proposals received are evaluated to identify the best finalist ideas.
The five finalist teams take part in an in-person event in Madrid, with exclusive activities. They present their project to a professional jury and discover the outcome of the X Talento Challenge live.
In addition, throughout the contest, teams will have access to resources and support to facilitate the development of their project:
Guides, examples, and resources adapted to each stage of the contest.
Some content will be available in Easy Read format to make it easier to understand where necessary.
Teams may request online tutoring sessions with the contest’s educational adviser.
The X Talento Challenge is aimed at young people aged 14 to 21 who want to turn an idea into a project with a positive social impact. Participation takes place in inclusive teams, supported throughout the contest by one or two tutors, who will be responsible for registering the team and monitoring the project.
| TOTAL TEAM MEMBERS |
Minimum number of members WITHOUT disabilities |
Minimum number of members WITH disabilities |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | 1 | 1 |
| 7-10 | 2 | 2 |
Fundación ONCE reserves the right to request documentary verification by requiring official disability certificates from any members who declare that they have a disability.
Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO), Baccalaureate programmes, vocational training, special education and other forms of educational provision.
Associations, foundations and organisations working with young people with and without disabilities.
One of the great strengths of the X Talento Challenge is the support provided by professionals from partner companies, who help teams turn their ideas into viable projects.
Specialist mentors - Experienced professionals support the teams during Stage 2.
Personalised support - Each team receives guidance to develop and improve its project.
Of the 25 teams that develop their projects, the jury will select two winning teams. Each team will receive a net prize of €5,000 to launch its project.
Each member of the winning teams will receive a €100 gift card.
The tutors responsible for the winning teams will receive a tablet in recognition of their involvement and support for the participants.
Special mentions will be awarded to three of the finalist teams. Each team member will receive a €50 gift card, while the tutors responsible for the teams will receive a voucher for a stay at an ILUNION hotel.
Relive some of the best moments from the X Talento Challenge through images from its various editions.
Teachers, participants and mentors share their experiences of the X Talento Challenge and explain what being part of this initiative has meant to them.
For both the students and me, this has been a very special form of recognition, because we feel that it values not only a technological idea but also a way of understanding innovation: as a tool for helping others and making sport a little more accessible, safer and more inclusive for everyone.
Even if some of the ideas already exist, all the initiatives add value to their immediate surroundings and develop important qualities such as creativity, teamwork, organisation and an entrepreneurial spirit among young people—something that deserves special recognition.
For me, taking part in Por Talento Challenge marked a turning point in the way I understand an entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative working, particularly when focused on creating solutions that improve our surroundings and society. I am currently still studying for my undergraduate degree, and I can say that the contest was an experience I will never forget.
We are committed to social entrepreneurship to help develop competent, conscientious, compassionate and committed students. Por Talento Challenge provides us with essential resources and mentoring to develop intrapreneurs and, above all, creates a space for genuine inclusion where our students with disabilities can participate on an equal footing.
Three editions, three projects, three life lessons. Being a mentor for the X Talento Challenge with DXC has allowed me to support Tech Up Down, from a school in Cáceres, all the way to receiving a special mention; celebrate the victory of Inclustyle, the inclusive fashion project from a school in Cuenca; and now, in 2026, embark on the Cabezudos Inclusivos adventure alongside an association from Zaragoza. Few experiences help you grow so much in such a short time: in your understanding of disability, in speech and language therapy, and in business insight. And if I had to sum up the X Talento hub’s final gala, it would be easy: pure emotion, talent and pride. Absolutely incredible.