Fuelled by a growing entrepreneurial culture, strong government support and a thriving tech ecosystem, Spain has emerged as a decent location for startups.
With major cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia fostering innovation, Spain has attracted both local and international talent looking to build the next generation of businesses. The country benefits from a strategic location, a skilled workforce and a relatively low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for startups in sectors like fintech, biotech and renewable energy.
To support this dynamic ecosystem, Spain boasts a range of incubators and accelerators that provide funding, mentorship and networking opportunities. These programmes help early-stage startups scale their operations, refine their business models and access investment.
Whether they’re backed by large corporations, universities or venture capital firms, these incubators and accelerators play a crucial role in shaping Spain’s entrepreneurial future.
The Spanish Economy
Top Incubators and Accelerators in Spain
Here are the top 10 incubators and accelerators in Spain.
Connector
Founded in 2014, Connector is a startup accelerator based in Barcelona. Focusing on early stage digital businesses, the company offers a six-month-long mentorship programme during which startups can receive valuable guidance from experienced investors, industry experts and entrepreneurs.
In addition, Connector provides programme participants with office space, networking opportunities and access to investors, which is incredibly helpful in the process of refining business models and securing funding.
One of the standout features of Connector’s program as its customised mentoring, allowing each startup to be matched with team of mentors who specialise in their specific industry.
Indeed, Connector’s success speaks for itself – it’s reflected in the number of companies that have scaled internationally after having completed the programme.
Barcelona Ventures
Barcelona Ventures is a cross-border accelerator that connects Spanish and European startups with the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Based in Barcelona, it helps businesses expand into the US market through investment connections, strategic partnerships and tailored mentoring.
The programme is particularly focused on tech startups, including AI, SaaS and fintech companies. Its success lies in its strong US network which gives Spanish entrepreneurs valuable access to American investors and corporate partners.
Indeed, by bridging the gap between Europe and the US, Barcelona Ventures provides a unique value proposition that few other Spanish accelerators can match.
Demium
Demium was founded in 2013 in Valencia and has since expanded across Spain and into other European markets. Unlike traditional accelerators, Demium focuses on creating startups from scratch, selecting talented entrepreneurs and guiding them through the entire process of team formation, idea validation and scaling.
It runs a six-month incubation programme, offering mentorship, training and funding opportunities, including pre-seed investment from its partner fund, Think Bigger Capital.
Demium’s standout feature is its focus on talent rather than existing startups, helping individuals with entrepreneurial potential turn ideas into viable businesses.
IMPACT Accelerator
IMPACT Accelerator is a highly regarded programme that was launched in 2014 with EU backing. Based in Madrid, it supports digital startups in fields such as AI, blockchain and big data.
IMPACT provides equity-free funding, mentorship from global experts, and access to international investors. Startups benefit from a strong European network and connections to leading corporations.
One of the reasons for its success is its highly selective process, which ensures that only the most promising startups receive support. Its focus on cutting-edge technologies and its ability to connect startups with EU funding set it apart from competitors.
Ship2B
Founded in 2013 and based in Barcelona, Ship2B is a social impact accelerator that supports startups aiming to make a difference in sustainability, health and social innovation. It offers investment opportunities, mentoring and corporate partnerships to help businesses scale while maintaining a focus on social good.
Ship2B stands out due to its commitment to impact-driven ventures, providing not only financial backing but also expert guidance on measuring and increasing social impact too.
By fostering businesses that combine profitability with purpose, Ship2B has played a key role in Spain’s growing social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Seed Rocket
SeedRocket, founded in 2008 in Barcelona, is one of Spain’s most prestigious tech startup accelerators. It offers a three-month programme where selected startups receive mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and investors.
Participants also have access to SeedRocket’s Business Angels network which provides really valuable funding opportunities. The programme is highly competitive, focusing on scalability and long-term success.
What makes SeedRocket unique is its strong alumni network which includes some of Spain’s most successful startups, including both Glovo and Kantox. Its reputation as a leading accelerator for tech startups makes it a top choice for ambitious entrepreneurs.
Wayra
Wayra, founded in 2011 by Telefónica, is one of Spain’s most influential corporate accelerators. With hubs in Madrid and Barcelona, Wayra provides funding, mentorship and direct access to Telefónica’s vast network of clients and partners.
The programme is particularly attractive for tech and telecom startups that can benefit from partnerships with Telefónica. One of its standout features is the ability to offer commercial agreements with Telefónica, giving startups an immediate customer base.
Wayra has a strong international presence, connecting Spanish startups with global markets, making it a powerful force in corporate-backed innovation.
Bind 4.0
Bind 4.0 is a public-private accelerator based in the Basque Country, focused on Industry 4.0 startups in fields such as AI, IoT, robotics and advanced manufacturing. Founded in 2016, it partners with major corporations like Siemens, Mercedes-Benz and ABB, offering startups the chance to work directly with leading industrial players.
Unlike a lot of other accelerators, Bind 4.0 provides real-world business opportunities, allowing startups to develop pilot projects with corporate partners. This industry-driven approach makes it highly attractive for B2B startups looking to break into the industrial technology sector.
Zone2boost
Zone2boost, launched in 2019, is a fintech and retail-focused accelerator backed by CaixaBank, Global Payments and Visa. Based in Barcelona, it provides investment, mentoring and direct collaboration opportunities with its corporate partners.
Startups selected for the programme gain access to financial and retail industry leaders, allowing them to test and scale their solutions more effectively. Zone2boost’s unique advantage is its strong corporate backing, ensuring that participating startups receive both funding and market access. This makes it a highly competitive programme for fintech and payment technology startups.
I’MNOVATION
I’MNOVATION is ACCIONA’s corporate accelerator that was launched in 2017. It focuses on sustainability, smart cities and infrastructure innovation. Based in Madrid, it supports startups working on energy efficiency, construction technology and environmental solutions.
Startups in the programme receive funding, mentorship and the opportunity to collaborate directly with ACCIONA’s global projects. Its key strength lies in its direct industry connections, giving startups access to large-scale infrastructure projects. I’MNOVATION stands out by fostering innovation in sustainability, making it a top choice for startups in the clean tech and infrastructure sectors.
