In Spain's vibrant startup ecosystem, where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive, the presence of top-notch accelerators and incubators plays a pivotal role in shaping the success stories of tomorrow. These dynamic platforms serve as catalysts, propelling early-stage ventures toward rapid growth and market dominance. From Barcelona to Madrid, and beyond, Spain boasts a remarkable lineup of startup accelerators and incubators that provide aspiring entrepreneurs with invaluable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
In this article, we embark on a captivating
journey through the landscape of Spain's best startup accelerators and
incubators. We delve into the unique features and offerings of these esteemed
programs, highlighting their remarkable track records and the transformative
experiences they provide. Join us as we uncover the powerhouses that shape
Spain's startup ecosystem, and discover the unparalleled support and
opportunities that await within these remarkable institutions.
Impact accelerator
IMPACT Accelerator, supported by FundingBox
and ISDI, is an esteemed accelerator in Spain that invests in and accelerates
startups across various industry verticals. With an impressive track record of
accelerating 102 startups, IMPACT offers three distinct accelerator programs:
RobotUnion, Connected Car, and Growth, each with its own duration and funding
structure.
Successful applicants to these programs
receive funding ranging from €60k for Connected Car to €250k for Growth.
However, IMPACT Accelerator goes beyond providing pre-seed funding solely from
its resources. Most startups also secure funding from partner venture
capitalists, such as Kibo Ventures. On average, participating startups receive
a total funding of over €1 million, showcasing the significant financial
support available through the program.
I’MNOVATION
I’MNOVATION, the corporate accelerator
program supported by ACCIONA, Spain’s renewables and infrastructure
conglomerate, is designed to propel the growth of the most promising startups.
The program facilitates a collaborative environment where startups closely
engage with a team of mentors, experts, and professionals from ACCIONA.
To be eligible for I’MNOVATION, startups
must operate within the industry verticals where ACCIONA is already established
or interested in exploring. You will get discretionary money from ACCIONA once
your startup has been accepted into the three-month programme in order to carry
out a pilot project in conjunction with the business.
Upon successful completion of the pilot,
startups gain access to potential marketing opportunities, partnerships, and
funding arrangements with ACCIONA Group, as well as potential investments from
other interested investors. The program thus provides startups with a valuable
platform for meaningful collaborations and growth within ACCIONA’s ecosystem.
Lanzadera
Lanzadera, situated in Valencia’s Marina de
Empresas and founded by Juan Roig, the visionary behind Mercadona, serves as a
startup accelerator. Under the guidance of Javier Jiménez, Lanzadera offers
three distinct programs to empower entrepreneurs in bringing their ideas to
fruition. Campus caters to EDEM entrepreneurs, Garage supports early-stage
projects, and Lanzadera focuses on ventures with tested market viability.
Drawing from Juan Roig’s extensive
Mercadona experience, Lanzadera imparts essential management principles to
participants. The programs provide comprehensive support, including training,
mentoring, advice, and financing tailored to each project’s maturity level,
with loan amounts potentially reaching €500,000, accompanied by flexible
repayment terms. Since 2017, Lanzadera has collaborated with PlayStation in the
PSTalents program, enabling entrepreneurs to develop video games for the brand
while receiving invaluable business management guidance from Lanzadera.
Plug and play Spain
Plug and Play Spain, based in Valencia, is
a remarkable open innovation platform acting as a vital conduit between Silicon
Valley and over 50 global locations where the esteemed Plug and Play Tech
Center operates. Its noble objective is to foster connections between
groundbreaking technology emerging from startups and major multinational
corporations. With an impressive array of over nine vertical acceleration
programs worldwide, it catalyzes collaboration.
Notably, Plug and Play Spain has made
significant strides in the financial realm, amassing a remarkable €8 billion in
funding since 2012, thus actively investing in both Europe and the United
States. Moreover, it goes the extra mile by providing startups in its extensive
portfolio with invaluable resources, including workspace provisions, as well as
promotions for a range of services and products offered by trusted suppliers.
Finnovista
Finnovista, a pioneering innovation and
venture development company, embarks on a transformative journey alongside
corporations, startups, and entrepreneurs to revolutionize the finance and
insurance sectors. Founded in 2013 by Andres Fontao and Fermin Bueno, this
Madrid-based firm catalyzes change.
With a strong focus on enterprise and
FinTech industries, Finnovista has made 42 notable investments to date,
channeling support, and resources to promising ventures. Furthermore, their
efforts have yielded one successful exit, demonstrating their commitment to
fostering growth and success in the startup ecosystem. Through strategic
partnerships and an unwavering dedication to innovation, Finnovista is
reshaping the landscape of finance and insurance, igniting positive change
across the industry.
Wayra
Established in 2011, Wayra emerges as
Telefónica’s exclusive startup accelerator, boasting an extensive network of
over 35 hubs worldwide across Europe and Latin America. With a global
footprint, Wayra has successfully accelerated more than 400 startups, with
approximately half of them originating from Spain.
Wayra’s core mission revolves around
discovering and nurturing startups capable of collaborating with Telefónica, as
well as its corporate partners and clients. As a testament to their commitment,
Wayra typically invests up to €150,000 per startup, bolstering their growth
prospects.
While remaining sector-agnostic, Wayra
prioritizes startups that align with Telefónica’s solutions and partners.
Consequently, their focus lies on nurturing ventures in IoT, Video, Big Data,
AI, Cybersecurity, FinTech, and Blockchain. Wayra stands as a valuable
catalyst, connecting startups with the resources and opportunities provided by
Telefónica’s expansive ecosystem.
BerriUp
BerriUp Accelerator offers a compelling
opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking both financial support and a
comprehensive acceleration program. With a €50,000 investment in exchange for a
10% stake in the project, BerriUp provides a solid foundation for growth. The
four-month Acceleration Program features an array of valuable resources,
including workshops, advice, tutoring, and talks by seasoned entrepreneurs and
industry professionals. Additionally, participants benefit from a fully
equipped co-working space, complete with Wi-Fi, telephone, and photocopier
facilities, accessible 24/7. Leveraging its extensive network, BerriUp enables
entrepreneurs to tap into a wide range of valuable contacts. Furthermore, even
after program completion, BerriUp remains committed to assisting entrepreneurs
in securing further financing for their company’s development as and when
required.
STARTUP ACCELERATOR CONNECTOR
Connector, a prominent startup accelerator
established in 2013 by a group of eight influential entrepreneurs within the
Spanish ecosystem, offers a comprehensive five-month program designed to propel
seed-phase projects toward rapid growth and investment readiness. With a strong
emphasis on mentorship, Connector’s program facilitates the success of selected
startups by providing over €400,000 in collaborative services, legal support,
educational courses, and training sessions. The program culminates in DemoDay,
where participants have the opportunity to showcase their ventures to private
investors and venture capital firms. Furthermore, Connector extends its impact
through vertical and corporate programs in collaboration with notable entities
such as Bankia, SEAT, Porsche, and ABANCA. With a presence in Barcelona,
Madrid, and Galicia, Connector conducts at least two annual calls in each city,
nurturing entrepreneurship across the country.
Metxa
Metxa Accelerator is a dedicated platform
committed to empowering entrepreneurs and nurturing their ideas through
strategic investments. With a focus on supporting growth, Metxa has developed a
range of acceleration programs that leverage their extensive knowledge and
methodologies. One of their core strengths lies in providing a diverse group of
mentors from various disciplines who actively engage with entrepreneurs, offering
guidance and support throughout their journey and beyond. Metxa’s meticulously
designed acceleration programs not only foster the creation of investable
projects but also equip entrepreneurs with the essential tools for
comprehensive project development and management. By encouraging a data-driven
approach and emphasizing the value of time investment, Metxa empowers
entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, moving beyond intuition to drive
their ventures toward success.
Demium
Demium, one of Spain’s leading startup
accelerators, distinguishes itself by offering both accelerator and incubator
programs. With a strong presence in various European cities including Valencia,
Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Lisbon, Kyiv, Warsaw, and Athens, Demium expands its
reach to support startups across different regions.
Their flagship accelerator program spans 10
weeks and provides startups with a pre-seed investment of €25,000, with the
potential to increase up to €500,000 for exceptional ventures. Beyond financial
support, Demium offers invaluable guidance through a network of expert mentors
and business angels who provide mentorship and assistance in critical areas
such as marketing, growth hacking, and sales. Through this comprehensive
approach, Demium empowers startups to thrive and maximize their potential for
success.
Bind4.0
Bind 4.0, an esteemed startup accelerator
in the Basque autonomous region acts as a bridge between startups and prominent
industry leaders within the advanced manufacturing, smart energy, health tech,
and food tech sectors. Through their comprehensive program, participants gain
invaluable exposure to leading companies while benefiting from extensive
training, mentoring, and the possibility of securing lucrative contracts.
Moreover, Bind 4.0 goes a step further by
providing substantial funding to successful applicants, ranging from €150,000
to €500,000. This financial support enables entrepreneurs to transform their
innovative business ideas into tangible research and development projects, with
the ultimate goal of bringing these solutions to market. Bind 4.0’s holistic
approach propels startups towards growth, success, and market viability.
ClimateKIC
Climate-KIC accelerator stands as Spain’s
sole clean-tech accelerator and holds the distinction of being the largest in
the European Union. It extends financial backing, training, and mentoring to
the most promising startups that offer groundbreaking products and services
addressing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and the low-carbon economy.
The program’s financial support can reach
up to an impressive €95,000, accompanied by access to national and
international masterclasses and specialized investment forums. Climate-KIC
Startup Accelerator actively seeks innovative solutions across various sectors
to foster the growth of a sustainable low-carbon economy. As part of the
Climate-KIC initiative, which is backed by the European Institute of Technology
and Innovation (EIT), this accelerator plays a pivotal role in driving
environmental innovation and sustainability efforts.
Innsomnia
Innsomnia, an esteemed innovation hub,
excels in the acceleration and incubation of technology-driven projects,
forming strategic partnerships with major companies eager to integrate
cutting-edge innovations into their business models. Notably, Bankia Fintech by
Innsomnia emerges as Spain’s pioneering fintech incubator and accelerator,
collaborating with the bank’s innovation department through national and
international calls to foster the integration of new fintech ventures.
Innsomnia’s expertise extends beyond
banking, as demonstrated by their collaboration on the digitization challenge
of Feria Valencia, working closely with eight companies to provide
technological solutions to the organization. Operating under a non-invasive
acceleration model that does not require equity from startups, Innsomnia offers
a comprehensive range of support, including tutoring, mentoring, assistance in
securing public financing, and expert advice. These initiatives position
Innsomnia as a driving force in fostering technological advancements and
innovation across various sectors.
Orbit program
The Órbit Program emerges as a dynamic
business acceleration initiative, targeting startups, entrepreneurs, and
companies operating for less than five years, seeking scalable and sustainable
growth. Throughout the program, a team of dedicated consultants, mentors,
experts, advisors, and business angels engage in thorough prospecting and
analysis of participating projects. Eventually, the top five projects,
distinguished for their robustness and growth potential, are honored with the
Órbit Awards, accompanied by €20,000 each in equity-free funding.
By detecting projects with exceptional
potential, the Órbit Program aims to bolster their growth trajectory,
facilitate access to financing and private investment, and provide personalized
resources and tools to elevate these companies to the next level. Notably, this
program plays a pivotal role in fostering economic sustainability, development,
and structural advancements in Castellón province and its surrounding regions.
Santalucía IMPULSA
Santalucía IMPULSA presents an exceptional
startup acceleration program, spearheaded by Santalucía Seguros and led by
Ángel Uzquiza and Jorge Millán-Astray. This program offers a personalized and
tailored acceleration journey, coupled with the opportunity to actively seek
collaborations and synergies with Santalucía Seguros. Additionally,
participants have the chance to compete for one of the program’s three cash
prizes.
Santalucía IMPULSA plays a pivotal role in
validating the value proposition of startups, enhancing the competitiveness of
development teams, accelerating project growth, and facilitating access to
financing. The program spans four months and encompasses targeted training
through six workshops, each lasting four hours, along with regular mentoring
sessions held every 15 days. This comprehensive framework equips entrepreneurs
with the necessary tools to thrive in the competitive landscape.