Launched in 2023 as part of Spain’s Recuperation, Transformation and Resilience Plan following the global pandemic, Acelera Startups set a goal to accelerate up to 6,100 early-stage companies in the country. The best part, it’s completely free for startups!
The program is completely subsidized for qualified startups to participate, thanks to the country’s Escuela de Organización Industrial (EOI) and financed with funding from the European Union’s Next Generation fund.
Some of Spain’s most recognized companies and educational institutions are managing Acelera Startups programs in different industry and regional focus-groups, including Wayra, NTT Spain, and IMPACT Accelerator from Spain’s ISDI digital business school.
In recent weeks, IMPACT Accelerator announced the launch of subsequent cohorts of the various Acelera Startups programs that it runs within the framework of the EOI.
Among them are regional programs for startups based in Madrid and Catalunya, as well as industry-focused programs for early-stage companies innovating in the “digital and telecommunications” space.
Startups participating in each program go through 52 hours of workshops and group activity, as well as 40 hours of personalised mentoring designed to boost project growth and development, along with networking opportunities and access to investment.
“With the support of the EOI and the EU Next Generation funds, we remain committed to providing entrepreneurs with the essential tools, connections and resources to turn their ideas into scalable businesses,” said IMPACT Accelerator Director Jesús Tapia.
ISDI’s Madrid program is announcing its fourth cohort which will feature 20 emerging startups from the area. Its Catalunya-wide program, which operates in Barcelona, is announcing its second cohort with seven startups, and its country-wide Digital and Telecommunications program is also on its second cohort, and currently accelerating 14 startups.
Some of the startups participating in the latest round of the three programs include:
- JAV BRAIN: JAV BRAIN delivers customized AI solutions that maximize efficiency and innovation, with analytics, integration, training, and scalable strategies to drive business success. (MADRID)
- Traiders: AI platform designed to create and automate trading strategies without advanced programming knowledge. The main function of Traiders is to support the user through an AI agent that allows creating strategies, optimizing and backtesting to finally execute the operation automatically. (MADRID)
- Burnout Reset Hub: Burnout Reset Hub helps companies and individuals prevent and overcome burnout, promoting a state of comprehensive well-being in the professional and personal spheres, with a 360 and end-to-end approach. (MADRID)
- SEAVICES: PropTech for yachts that digitalises contracts between crew and owners, optimising costs and adjusting rent-a-boat rates to suit demand. (BARCELONA)
- ThinkEat: An API that integrates into online supermarket stores, allowing menus to be customized based on family members, allergies, intolerances, and other dietary preferences, as well as automating weekly shopping. (BARCELONA)
- Kognitiva Solutions: Kognitiva Solutions develops applications based on data analysis with the help of AI. They are aimed at the general public and aim to improve our productivity and time management in the personal sphere. (DIGITAL & TELECOMS)
- Dymo: Digital tool that detects and blocks fraud and fake users on clients’ websites. It offers high-value metrics by leveraging big data and offers the largest fraud validation database globally. (DIGITAL & TELECOMS)
According to a company statement shared with Novobrief, IMPACT Accelerator has accelerated 377 startups and distributed over €80.5 million in funding since its inception. The accelerator has seen many exits as well, including e-bot7 (acquired by LivePerson), Antlos (acquired by Sailology) and Wheeliz (acquired by APF France Handicap). Its portfolio company, Clarity AI, reached a valuation of $450 million and raised funding from SoftBank, and BlackRock.
Through the Acelera Startups program alone, IMPACT Accelerator has helped support 97 early-stage projects.
“IMPACT Accelerator’s robust network, made up of investors, experts from various sectors and strategic partners, reaffirms its commitment to guiding these entrepreneurs towards a promising future,” said Tapia.
