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• Each startup will be eligible to receive a 25,000-euro grant and workspace at La Harinera

• The funding allocation has increased from 400,000 euros last year to 600,000 euros in this new edition

• The startups will gain access to the Valencia City Council’s public incubation and acceleration program for seed-stage startups, an innovative program designed specifically to support early-stage startups with high growth potential

The Valencia City Council, through Valencia Innovation Capital, has launched a new call for proposals offering 600,000 euros in grants to support startups in their seed phase—that is, the initial stage of development. As a result, the funding pool has increased from 400,000 euros last year to 600,000 euros in this new edition. This initiative, part of the Valencia Innovation Capital strategy, aims to foster a more inclusive, digital, and resilient city by supporting innovative projects that contribute to transforming Valencia into a leading technology hub in Europe.

This call for proposals was approved by the Local Governing Board of the City of Valencia today, Friday, November 15. Interested startups can submit their applications through the Valencia Innovation Capital website. The application period is 20 days from the date of publication in the BOP.

The Valencia City Council’s public incubation and acceleration program for seed-stage startups is an innovative program designed specifically to support early-stage startups with high growth potential. Recognizing the unique challenges entrepreneurs face when launching an innovative, technology-based startup, València Innovation Capital is committed to providing essential resources, training, specialized mentoring, and access to an invaluable network of contacts.

Paula Llobet, Councilor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction for the City of Valencia, hasemphasized that “this grant program reflects our vision of Valencia as a dynamic and diverse city, where technology is the means and people’s well-being is the ultimate goal. “We want to support startups with high growth potential that, from their earliest stages, seek to provide real solutions to urban challenges and improve the quality of life in our city.”

The call for proposals, with a total prize pool of €600,000, is aimed at emerging startups in strategic areas such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, health and wellness, gaming, innovative and sustainable tourism, Smart City and GovTech, diversity, talent, and EdTech, as well as startups that combine technology, innovation, and sustainability to address and prevent natural disasters such as the DANA that struck the province of Valencia.

The selected projects will receive up to €25,000 to cover operating expenses, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the incubation and acceleration program to be held at La Harinera, the Valencia City Council’s municipal space dedicated to technology entrepreneurship.

What methodology is used?

This program’s methodology focuses on hands-on, tangible learning, which includes mentoring with direct access to a network of experienced mentors who will offer personalized advice, guidance, and support; practical workshops on crucial topics such as finance, marketing, product development, and team management, led by experts in each field; networking through exclusive events to connect with other entrepreneurs and investors, as well as key figures in the entrepreneurial ecosystem; and investment opportunities, including a platform to present their projects to investors during our Demo Day.

Incubation and Scaling Phases

The program will consist of two phases: an initial six-month Incubation phase, which will include mentoring, training workshops, and a Demo Day to present the projects; and a second six-month Scaling phase, which will include networking activities, investment opportunities, and an Investor Day.

In addition, the selected startups will be eligible for workspace at La Harinera, helping to strengthen their commitment to and connection with Valencia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“With this initiative, we aim not only to fund innovative projects, but also to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Valencia, connect entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, provide them with training in key areas such as finance, marketing, and team management, and attract talent from around the world to our city. This is a joint effort to build an ecosystem that positions Valencia as a European leader in innovation and entrepreneurship,” added Llobet.

València Innovation Capital

The “València Innovation Capital” strategy, developed by the City Council’s Department of Innovation, aims to foster a dynamic, diverse, and creative city that serves as the leading hub for technological innovation in the Mediterranean. This strategy promotes public-private partnerships, acts as a catalyst for the city’s innovation and technology entrepreneurship ecosystem, and seeks to generate high-quality, highly skilled jobs in Valencia.

Technology is the “how,” and people are the “why.” València Innovation Capital is committed to solving the city’s real problems through local innovation that is effective and has a direct impact on people’s lives.