Until October 7th, Spanish tech startups can apply to take part in a two-week immersion program to build their US market knowledge and network in Silicon Valley, powered by Spain Tech Center .
Planning on growing your market in the US? Interested in kickstarting your network in Silicon Valley?
Spain Tech Center (STC), supported by ICEX Spain Trade and Investment agency and Red.es, Spain’s public entity for the digital agenda, invites Spanish startups to apply for their bi-annual immersion program in San Francisco, California.
The two weeks will be filled with more than 35+ workshops on how to enter and succeed in the US market, pitch trainings, mentor sessions and ample opportunities to network with local entrepreneurs, investors and experts, the program states. Furthermore, startups have the chance to present their business in the Silicon Valley Demo night.
Before the trip overseas, selected participants will come together for two days of preparation in Madrid. While there is no participations fee, attendees have to cover their own costs of accommodation and travel in Spain and the US.
The program is competitive, with only about 10% of applicants being accepted in the cohort. According to program guidelines, small and medium-sized tech companies that want to apply must have already be already in the stage of scaling up, i.e. achieved a stream of revenue and funding.
STC wants their applicants to be prepared and have a clear strategy in mind: To apply, companies must outline why the US market is of strategic importance to their business. English language skills are a must for the attendees of the program.
Christian Prada, Managing Director of Spain Tech Center.
“You can not go to Silicon Valley to try things“, says Christian Prada, Director of the STC.
In the past, 80% of attendees of the Silicon Valley Immersion Program have planned a US presence 6 months after the trip. Furthermore, the vast majority of former participants have clients or users in the US, and almost 40% a US office or corporate presence.
Spain Tech Center was founded in 2011 with the aim to facilitate the successful landing of Spanish technology companies in Silicon Valley and the US. The public and non-profit entity claims to have worked with over 700 entrepreneurs and 500 companies to date.
To appy, please visit the program website. Below are the key dates of the program:
-
Call for Applications: Sep. 3 to Oct. 7, 2018
-
Madrid Training: Oct. 25 & Oct. 26, 2018
-
Silicon Valley Program: Nov. 5 to Nov. 16, 2018
For startups that are not yet ready for the big leap overseas, STC offers different support programs. The STC Validation Program is giving early-stage Spanish startups the chance to present their company and the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for feedback from Silicon Valley experts.
STC also runs a series of Webinars, the STC Orientation program, to allow early entrepreneurs with a startup idea to get first contact to Silicon Valley while learning about strategy, business pitches and fundraising.
The last edition of the Silicon Valley Immersion Program took place in Spring this year. Among the 10 selected companies were Boardfy, JVSPLastMile , ShopAdvizor, Woom and Wallbox.
Read more: 10 Spanish startups connect with investors, mentors in Silicon Valley