This article was originally published by Bianca Damiano on Novobrief, an Espacio partner publication.
Stage2, the Spanish accelerator for start-ups in the industrial space, is launching a new call for applications for its Barcelona-based technology-industrial acceleration program. The program is open to start-ups from all over Europe.
The initiative aims to support start-ups in the pre-production phase. In this program’s second edition, priority will be given to projects focused on creating hardware and proprietary technology in different fields such as mobility, robotics and automation, energy tech, food & agro-tech, and cleantech.
Oriol Pascual, co-founder, and CEO of Stage2 explains: “We are delighted with the results of our first pilot edition. We are even more proud that today, less than a year after the launch of Stage2, we can launch a second call and expand our acceleration program”.
He added: “We believe this is long overdue and much needed for the future of Europe, and we hope that projects like ours will bridge the gap between funding and the needs of promising start-ups.”
The main goals
The goal is to foster the growth of industrial start-ups that need support and resources to move into the industrialization, market validation, and growth phases.
“Our mission is to help Barcelona regain its former position as a European industrial hub and become a center for innovation and leading projects in Europe,” adds Mr. Pascual.
To achieve this, Stage2 offers a six-month support program, which takes place online and in La Verneda, Barcelona, where the accelerator has a 560m2 warehouse located within the industrial workshop of TMDC, one of its strategic partners. The space has industrial machinery and equipment, facilitating the manufacture of prototypes and other industrial parts and pieces.
Six months of innovation
The program will run from April to October 2023 and focus on four key aspects: product industrialization, market validation, team, and growth strategy. Members of the 10 selected start-ups will participate in training sessions, workshops, industry events, and mentoring meetings with innovation managers from large and established companies.
The selected startups will also have access to coaching sessions that aim to provide the necessary technical support and the projects’ managerial, leadership, and human aspect of the projects.
After the first phase of receiving applications, valid until 26 February, Stage2’s committee of experts and partners will announce the ten selected projects on 11 April.
Stage2 plans to increase the number of projects participating in its acceleration program to 35 (40% more) by 2025. Stage2 is also working on creating a fund of 15 million euros to provide financial support to scientific-technical start-ups, which is expected to be up and running in 2024.
