Acceleration Programme

About the Programme 

The BSC AI Factory Acceleration Programme is designed to boost early-stage AI startups and pre-incorporated projects, combining business model validation and acceleration with differentiated access to cutting-edge technology, world-class computational infrastructure, and deep AI expertise.

Powered by NVIDIA, AWS and Seedrocket, and supported by ACCIÓ and Cuatrecasas, the program aims to turn selected startups into the next generation of AI Startup Champions in Europe.

What We Offer

Each selected team will have access to four key pillars of support:

Who Can Apply

This programme targets:

• Early-stage AI startups with a working MVP or validated Product-Market Fit
• Projects with clear AI relevance and a scalable business model

Download Participation Rules

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed by an expert jury across the following criteria:

Selection Process

15 projects selected →  Cut-Off → 10 finalists →  Demo Day → 3 Champions

The 3 Champions will gain post-incubation access at Pier07 in Barcelona from October 2026 to March 2027, and will be presented to a jury of 15 investors and ecosystem stakeholders at the Demo Day.

Programme Timeline

Programme Sessions

The acceleration programme runs from 22nd May to 23rd July across 10 structured sessions divided into three phases:

INSPIRE  (Sessions 1–4)

• Session 1 — May 22: Welcome & Acceleration Programme Kick-Off
• Session 2 — May 27: AI Foundations for Scalable Startups (NVIDIA)
• Session 3 — Jun 10: Business Case — Market Opportunities & Positioning (SeedRocket)
• Session 4 — Jun 15: Legal Basics for Startups (Cuatrecasas)

HANDS ON  (Sessions 5–8)

• Session 5 — Jun 17: Value Proposition & Technical Roadmap — Flipped Classroom (NVIDIA & AWS)
• Session 6 — Jun 24: BSC's Open Resources for Model Improvement (BSC)
• Session 7 — Jul 1: AI Use Cases & Value Creation (AWS)
• Session 8 — Jul 8: Fundraising for Growth — Roundtable (ACCIÓ / ICF / VC / NVIDIA)

SCALE  (Sessions 9–10)

• Session 9 — Jul 15: Pitching AI Ventures (SeedRocket)
• Session 10 — Jul 23: Demo Day — Pitch to 15 investors & ecosystem jury (Tech Barcelona)

Programme Impact Goals

How to Apply

1) Download the company application form and fill in the information

2) Share a link with a one-minute video in "selfie" format giving a brief explanation of your company and the reasons to take part in the BSC AI Factory Acceleration Programme

3) Prepare a company deck ready to upload

4) Submit the Acceleration Programme application form