Barcelona accounts for over 24% of Spain's accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs. It has the highest concentration of accelerators in the country after Madrid, aiming to build and nurture disruptive startups in diverse tech and entrepreneurial fields. This guide explores Barcelona's leading accelerators and incubators that support startups in the ideation, launch, or growth phase.
Target Audience: Early-stage tech-based startups.
Niche: Information Technology.
SeedRocket, founded in 2008, is Spain's pioneering accelerator for early-stage tech-based startups. It offers mentorship, investment, and business development support. Its "Campus de Emprendedores" program connects startups with experienced mentors and investors and provides up to €300,000.
Target Audience: Early-stage startups focused on impact innovation.
Niche: Social Impact, Non-Profit, and Impact Investing.
Ship2B Foundation, founded in 2013, promotes the Impact Economy by supporting early-stage startups, companies, investors, and social entities that aim to maximize economic profitability and social/environmental impact. They provide acceleration processes, corporate innovation integration, and investment to foster transformative models.
Target Audience: Startups, municipalities, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
Niche: Urban mobility, focusing on sustainable and innovative city transportation solutions.
EIT Urban Mobility is dedicated to transforming urban mobility across Europe to create more livable urban spaces. It supports innovative mobility startups through partnerships, educational programs, and direct funding. The program focuses on accelerating market-ready innovations, building talent, and facilitating collaboration among industry, academia, and public sector players to address urban mobility challenges effectively.
Target Audience: Early stage startups ready for global expansion.
Niche: Technology and scalable startups.
Barcelona Ventures, founded in 2013, connects early-stage startups with Silicon Valley's ecosystem through its Acceleration Program. The program offers mentorship, market insights, and funding opportunities, focuses on global scaling, and provides direct exposure to Silicon Valley's investment culture and business dynamics.
Target Audience: Early seed-stage retail tech startups.
Niche: Retail tech, digital commerce, martech, adtech, and fashion tech.
EGI Booster, founded in 2010, is an international acceleration program focused on seed-stage startups in the digital commerce technology sector. It offers a three-month program that includes workshops, expert sessions, mentoring, and meetings with retailers. The program aims to improve sales processes and expand business opportunities.
Target Audience: Tech startups at different development stages.
Niche: Technology.
La Salle Technova Barcelona, founded in 2001, is an innovation park part of La Salle-University Ramon Llull that offers startup incubation and acceleration services. It provides a comprehensive environment for technology-based ventures, facilitating their growth through networking, mentoring, and access to local and international resources. The hub supports many innovative projects and collaborates with various partners to enhance startup development and market entry.
Target Audience: Early stage startups with a team.
Niche: Enterprise software and mobile digital solutions.
Mobile World Capital Barcelona is an initiative that leverages the mobile and technological environment to empower digital and mobile solutions innovations across various sectors. It supports projects with potential social and economic impact through programs that promote technology transfer, digital talent, and entrepreneurship.
Target Audience: Early stage scientists and entrepreneurs.
Niche: Deep-tech, AI, and genomics.
The Collider is Mobile World Capital Barcelona's tech transfer program that turns scientific research into high-impact startups. It aligns scientific projects with market needs and entrepreneurial talent, enhancing technology transfer in sectors such as AI, genomics, and sustainable technologies.
Target Audience: Early stage startups with a team.
Niche: Industry Agnostic.
Intelectium is a consulting firm specializing in financing solutions for startups and SMEs. It offers services in public financing, venture capital, and specialized financial and legal advisory, aiming to facilitate growth and strategic development for innovative businesses. Intelectium assists with public aid and tax incentives, improves financial planning, and secures investment rounds.
Target Audience: Aspiring team with an idea.
Niche: Academic and research-based entrepreneurship.
Esade's eAccelerator is part of the Esade Entrepreneurship Institute, offering an acceleration program designed to support new venture creation through research, teaching, and outreach activities. The program helps entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into scalable businesses, leveraging Esade's vast network of academic and industry resources.
Barcelona is one of Spain's innovation hubs, with accelerators and incubators offering mentorship, guidance, access to funding, and an ideal environment for startups to thrive and grow.
You can access various tools and assistance by joining a business incubator or accelerator in Barcelona. You also become part of a thriving community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers. If you're prepared to embark on an exciting entrepreneurial journey, Barcelona's startup accelerators and incubators are ready to push you toward success.
Want to discover more accelerators and incubators from other countries? Check out the list below.
Top Accelerators and Incubators from:
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Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, often called the "Startup Nation's Capital," is a global technology hub renowned for its vibrant and innovative startup ecosystem. The city has earned international recognition for its dense concentration of high-tech companies, cutting-edge innovations, and robust support infrastructure for entrepreneurs.
Barcelona
Barcelona has the highest concentration of accelerators in the country after Madrid, aiming to build and nurture disruptive startups in diverse tech and entrepreneurial fields.
Paris
Paris is a central location for leading accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs aiming to catalyze growth for the next generation of disruptive innovation and technology.
São Paulo
São Paulo is home to some of the best tech talents and talent nurturers globally. It is the central location for leading accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs aiming to catalyze growth for the next generation of disruptive innovation and technology.
Dubai
Dubai is a major innovation hub in the UAE, with numerous accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs.
Mexico
Mexico, located between the United States and Central America, is renowned for its notable accomplishments in entrepreneurship, attributed to its strategic location, market size, and favorable trade agreements.
Riyadh
Riyadh is a central innovation hub in Saudi Arabia, with numerous accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs.
Toronto
Toronto, Canada's home for nurturing tech innovation, has many accelerators and incubators for tech entrepreneurs and startup founders aiming to mainstream their disruptive ideas. This detailed guide explores Canada's leading incubators and accelerators, specifically curated to catalyze growth from ideation to launch.
San Francisco
From the historic Silicon Valley to the dynamic SoMa area, San Francisco's startup ecosystem offers an unparalleled environment for ambitious individuals seeking to transform their ideas into revolutionary, globally influential companies.
New York
New York City is a city buzzing with innovators eager to bring their business dreams to life. It boasts over 13,000 startups and 2,000+ accelerators and incubators.
Boston
Boston, known for its rich history and deep academic roots, has rapidly grown into a central hub for innovation in the United States. With a strong presence like MIT and Harvard, Boston has cultivated a fertile ground for technological and scientific advancements.
Brussels
Brussels offers entrepreneurs a unique access to policymakers, international organizations, and a diverse talent pool.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles has become a vibrant startup hub, leveraging its unique position at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and innovation.
London
London is a welcoming hub for global innovative technology, home to some of the best tech talents and talent nurturers globally. It is a central location for leading accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs aiming to catalyze growth for the next generation of disruptive innovation and technology. This guide explores London's leading accelerators and incubators that support startups in the ideation, launch, or growth phase.
Madrid
Madrid, Spain's home for nurturing tech innovation, has many accelerators and incubators for tech entrepreneurs and startup founders aiming to mainstream their disruptive ideas. This detailed guide explores Spain's leading incubators and accelerators, specifically curated to catalyze growth from ideation to launch.
Cairo
Cairo is a central innovation hub in Egypt, with numerous accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs. It hosts a high concentration of accelerators aiming to build and nurture disruptive startups across diverse tech and entrepreneurial fields.
Austin
Austin, famous for its vibrant startup culture and technological advancements, stands out as a key innovation hub within Texas.
Sydney
Sydney is Australia's leading innovation hub, combining world-class universities, a strong corporate presence, and a vibrant entrepreneurial culture.
Stockholm
Stockholm has earned the nickname "The Unicorn Factory" due to its impressive track record of producing billion-dollar companies.
Berlin
We explore Berlin's leading technology-centric incubators and accelerators, specifically curated to catalyze growth from ideation to launch.
Bangalore
Bangalore, often said to be India's Silicon Valley, is a booming startup hub, brimming with unparalleled enthusiasm, innovative ideas, and entrepreneurial energy, propelling the city and India to the global entrepreneurial stage. The city is home to many incubators and accelerators that nurture early-stage startups, serving as launchpads for tomorrow's unicorns and industry game-changers.
Seoul
Seoul has emerged as one of Asia's most dynamic startup ecosystems, combining technological innovation with strong government support and corporate engagement. The city's startup landscape benefits from South Korea's advanced digital infrastructure and innovative culture, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs across Asia and beyond.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has established itself as one of Europe's most vibrant startup ecosystems, combining Dutch innovation with international entrepreneurship
Zurich
Zurich is known as Switzerland's premier innovation hub. It combines world-class technical universities, strong financial infrastructure, and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital, has emerged as a significant player in the global startup ecosystem. Combining traditional corporate strength with innovative entrepreneurship, the city offers unique opportunities for startups looking to leverage Japan's technological prowess and market potential.
Vancouver
Vancouver has established itself as Canada's West Coast innovation hub, combining strong academic institutions, a thriving tech sector, and a commitment to sustainability.
Seattle
Seattle has become the leading innovation hub in the Pacific Northwest, leveraging the region's robust technology base, ample venture capital, and its close proximity to both Asian markets and Silicon Valley.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is one of Southeast Asia's rising startup hubs, combining Malaysia's strategic location, multicultural business environment, and strong government support for innovation.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen might be famous for its picture-perfect canals, impeccable design aesthetic, and hygge lifestyle, but beneath that cozy exterior beats the heart of one of Europe's most dynamic startup ecosystems.
Bangkok
Beyond the city's famed street food and temples, Thailand's capital has become Southeast Asia's unexpected innovation hub.
Melbourne
The city's entrepreneurial scene has exploded in recent years, transforming from a handful of co-working spaces to a robust ecosystem where founders can find support at every stage of their journey.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires booms with entrepreneurial energy that's as bold and passionate as the tango that was born in its streets. Argentina's bustling capital has emerged as Latin America's creative startup hub, blending European influence with South American resourcefulness.
Lisbon
Lisbon has grown from a hidden gem of Southern Europe into one of the continent's most vibrant startup hubs. With affordable living costs, a growing talent pool, and a government eager to support the tech sector, Lisbon has become the sunny alternative to Europe's more established startup cities.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is Africa's business hub and home to a growing startup scene. The city blends its business strength with creativity to help new companies grow. South African entrepreneurs are solving local problems while creating solutions that work worldwide, making Joburg an important startup center in Africa.
Munich
Munich is where German engineering meets entrepreneurial spirit. Beyond the beer gardens and BMW headquarters, Bavaria's capital has quietly transformed into one of Europe's most formidable startup ecosystems.
Vienna
Vienna combines old-world charm with new business energy. The Austrian capital offers a growing startup scene built on the city's strengths in music, art, and science.
Istanbul
With a young population, strong technical talent, and increasing support from both government and private investors, Istanbul has become an exciting place to start a new business.
Montreal
Montreal has particularly made a name for itself in artificial intelligence, gaming, and innovative technology, attracting entrepreneurs from across Canada and around the world.
Miami
With year-round sunshine, no state income tax, and a welcoming attitude toward entrepreneurs, Miami has attracted founders from across the US and Latin America.
Milan
Milan's startup scene is growing fast, with strong support from universities, banks, and the local government, making it the best place in Italy to start a new business.
Helsinki
Helsinki isn't just about saunas, design, and endless summer days. It's quietly become one of Europe's most dynamic startup ecosystems. Finland's capital has transformed from Nokia's hometown into a breeding ground for tech unicorns like Supercell and Wolt.
Dublin
Dublin has become one of Europe's most vibrant startup hubs, earning the nickname "Silicon Docks" because of its high concentration of tech companies.
Lagos
Lagos is Nigeria's biggest city and the business heart of West Africa. Beyond its busy streets and markets, Lagos has become Africa's most exciting place for startups and new businesses.
Singapore
Singapore, often called Asia's Silicon Valley, has emerged as one of the world's leading startup ecosystems. With its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and government support, the city-state has become a magnet for entrepreneurs and innovators across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Chicago
Chicago has become a key player in the Midwest's startup scene, merging traditional business skills with new ideas.