I’MNOVATION Startups is ACCIONA’s open innovation program with startups, and the first specific ecosystem for infrastructures and renewable energies in Spain

I’MNOVATION Startups is ACCIONA’s open innovation program with startups, and the first specific ecosystem for infrastructures and renewable energies in Spain, a pioneer in Europe.

Indra Kishinchand

ACCIONA is a leading international company in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy solutions.  The company is a benchmark in the creation of an innovative ecosystem that provides room for startups to solve the great challenges of the future of infrastructures, electricity generation and mobility, based on sustainability and the circular economy.  Its collaboration program with startups seeks co-innovation to promote disruptive technologies and new businesses that help develop transformative infrastructures aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.

I’MNOVATION Startups is ACCIONA’s open innovation program with startups, and the first specific ecosystem for infrastructures and renewable energies in Spain, a pioneer in Europe.  Launched in 2017, in 2019 it extended its scope to Latin America with several challenges led from Chile.

This program is a collaboration model with startups that combines the experience of the multinational with the agility of companies in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Currently, up to two calls a year are made, offering startups the opportunity to test their solutions in real environments linked to one of ACCIONA’s businesses around the world, and access to financing, operational, technical and business support with the advice of experts and professionals from ACCIONA.

The program is backed by the success achieved over the last three years, in which more than 1,000 startups from all over the world have presented technological solutions and 40 have developed pilots with the company.

Depending on the result of the pilot project and in a personalized way, the Startups will have the possibility to access new opportunities, close agreements to continue the scaling of the proposed solution or receive funding from ACCIONA. So far, 2 out of 3 of those that have developed pilots with ACCIONA have signed agreements to continue working with the company.

With I’MNOVATION Startups, the ACCIONA group seeks to incorporate passionate entrepreneurs and creative minds into its ecosystem that will provide viable solutions with the potential for scalability and global expansion to meet the challenges posed by the company. With I’MNOVATION, ACCIONA places itself at the core of the innovation ecosystem of its business sectors, making it the main agent of its future.

I’MNOVATION #Startups has been recognized by Startup Europe Partnership (SEP) as the most innovative program with startups in Europe in the last two years.  In the last edition of Startup Olé, the organization recognized ACCIONA with the award for “Best Corporation”.

climate-fondo

EIT Climate-KIC startup Accelerator is an acceleration program focused on promoting projects and initiatives to combat climate change. The accelerator was launched by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) in 2010

EIT Climate-KIC startup Accelerator is an acceleration program focused on promoting projects and initiatives to combat climate change. The accelerator was launched by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) in 2010

José Torrego

EIT Climate-KIC startup Accelerator is an acceleration program focused on promoting projects and initiatives to combat climate change. The accelerator was launched by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) in 2010 yet, its activity did not start until 2012 in Europe, and 2014 in Spain.

Since its inception, they have supported more than 2,000 companies, many of which have grown to become leaders in their field. In Spain the program goes for its sixth edition and has generated more than 100 jobs and admitted more than 1.1 million euros.

A European initiative, the EIT currently operates across 24 countries with 28 centres in Europe, including in the main European capitals, such as Brussels, London, Paris and Berlin. José Luis Muñoz heads the Spanish office.

The program is currently in its 6th edition and access to it depends on the state of maturation of applicants. The Climate-KIC Accelerator is an 18-month program divided in three phases from the closing of its call. The program offers the most innovative startups in the field of climate change and low carbon economy technical (mentors, coaches, specialized sessions, masterclasses, etc.) and financial support. Throughout the three phases, a startup can receive up to 95.000€, as well as gaining access to a wide network of investors.

The program is open to teams of at least two entrepreneurs willing to create a company in in 2019 (6th edition call) during the first phase. In phase 2 and 3 is open to recent companies and SMEs, with no more than two to three of existence, respectively.

The acceleration program requires an innovative idea or product, with potential for growth and global expansion, applicable to any dimension of the climate change. Hence the search for ambitious entrepreneurs and balanced teams, made up of at least two people, with an advanced knowledge of English. To enter the program, the scope of action of the company must be related to one of the following four thematic areas: sustainable industrial production, transition to sustainable cities, sustainable land use and climate data services for decision-making.

At the same time, in addition to the access to specialized investors and an exchange program with other accelerators, including New York, Singapore, Dubai and Paris, the EIT Startup Accelerator Climate-KIC allows access to the largest innovation CleanTech network in the EU, with more than 200 members, public and private. The program can help reach up to 95.000€, apart from giving access to national and international masterclasses and specialised investor forums. Climate-KIC Start-up Accelerator is looking for innovative solutions in the areas of industrial production, urban transitions and land use invested in fostering a low carbon economy. It is a unique chance for entrepreneurs since Climate-KIC Accelerator is the only cleantech accelerator in Spain and the largest in Europe.