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Build your company with imec.istart in Spain

Funding you first, supporting you always — now landing in Spain

 

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What we do

Let's accelerate your business!

 

After successfully supporting  360+ tech startups across Europe, imec.istart is expanding to Spain. Our internationally acclaimed accelerator is designed to help founders turn innovative tech ideas into scalable, investor-ready businesses — with early funding, top-tier mentoring, and global network access. 
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Are you an ambitious early-stage tech startup based in Spain? 
Be the first to apply and become part of our first Spanish cohort. 

What we offer:

  • €100,000 in pre-seed funding
  • Tailored 12-18 month acceleration program
  • A community of +800 like-minded digital tech entrepreneurs to learn from
  • Coaching from seasoned coaches & domain experts
  • Exposure to a global investor and corporate network

Backed by imec — Europe’s leading R&D hub for nano- and digital technologies. 

We support and partner with the most ambitious pre-seed startups – often as their first investor. Imec.istart will launch the first call in spring 2026, but the program can count on many years of experience of the imec.istart acceleration program in Belgium and other countries. 

lifecycle startup

Our selection process

Important dates for the Summer 2026 call:

- Open call: May 1
- Submission deadline: May 31
- First selection: June 18
- Jury Pitch: July 1 & 2
- Kick-off day: July 8

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Selection criteria imec.istart

Who are we looking for?

imec.istart Spain welcomes startups who have a

  • Tech product (this can be software or hardware)

  • Working proof of concept

  • Complementary founding team

  • Headquarters in Spain
Good fit

How it works

When joining the imec.istart Accelerator program in Spain, you can expect the following:

Coaching for tech startups

Access to COACHING

  • Personal coaching by your Venture Acceleration Manager, a sparring partner and trusted contact on a day-to-day basis

  • A broad range of workshops and one-on-one follow-up tracks, given by topnotch experts

  • Our inhouse-developed Innovatrix, the tool to monitor your progress

  • A diverse network of experienced industry experts

Funding for tech startups

Access to FINANCE

  • €100,000 pre-seed funding 
  • An audience of 100+ investors at our Investors Day
  • Our continuous support in order to secure that next funding round
Technology for tech startups

Access to TECHNOLOGY

  • Imec, a globally recognized R&D and innovation hub
  • A panel of imec domain experts to challenge your technical pitch
  • An imec.istart liaison to guide you through imec’s collaboration opportunities
Tech startup community

Access to COMMUNITY

  • A community of 300+ startups and like-minded tech entrepreneurs
  • Free office space, shared with other tech startups, during the program
  • A long list of software and service deals, tailored to startup needs
  • A wide range of various events
Hiring for tech startups

Access to TALENT

  • Our support in the war for talent
  • A dedicated Teamdynamics officer: focusing on the human aspect of entrepreneurship and offering 1-1 wellbeing sessions
  • Various ways to strengthen your founding team (expert in residence, co-founder events, ... )
  • Our guidance in developing your own talents that help your startup succeed

Access to REVENUE

  • Our broad network of corporate partners eager to get to know you
  • A dedicated internationalization officer, your advisor through our catalogue of partnerships, services and missions around the globe
  • A large network of international accelerators, experts and partners to help you touch base in new markets

Access to COACHING

  • Personal coaching by your Venture Acceleration Manager, a sparring partner and trusted contact on a day-to-day basis

  • A broad range of workshops and one-on-one follow-up tracks, given by topnotch experts

  • Our inhouse-developed Innovatrix, the tool to monitor your progress

  • A diverse network of experienced industry experts

When can you join our program?

For the program in Spain we launch 2 competitive calls of one month with the following starting dates:

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Contact our team

Curious about imec.istart.es? You can book a meeting with one of our team members by clicking the link below.   

 

You'll be in good company

 

Some notable startups that have followed our acceleration program

otiv
Ugentec
Datacamp
molecubes
Deliverect