Accelerator Programme
Business and tech, accelerated together
100
Startups per BATCH
4
LAUNCHPADS across spain
14
Weeks of programme
Top 9
supercomputer in Europe ℹ
The Programme
The most technical accelerator in Spain
The BSC AI Factory Accelerator Programme is designed to accelerate 100 startups across Spain in each 3-month batch, targeting 25 startups per location.
The programme runs for 14 weeks in a hybrid format across 4 hubs covering the entire Spanish territory, utilizing a selective funnel. It combines remote acceleration with curated in-person workshops.
A Double Track
CEO / CTO. Business and tech, accelerated together
High-level training, combined business and technical mentoring, and access to cutting-edge supercomputing to help AI startups and high-potential AI projects grow from early-stage teams to those ready to scale.
Business Track
For CEOs & business leads
- 1:1 business mentoring on go-to-market strategy for the Spanish and European market
- Business model design and pricing for AI-native products
- Fundraising: architecture, investor connections and dealroom
Tech Track
For CTOs & technical leads
- 1:1 mentoring sessions with engineers and infrastructure specialists and the programme's technology partners
- Advanced AI model training, distributed systems and optimisation
- Hands-on access to MareNostrum 5 AI Update for large-scale training
Programme Benefits
What selected teams get
A high-level, equity-free programme combining infrastructure, expert guidance and market access.
Zero equity
The programme is fully funded. You retain full equity, with participation available without cost.
Combined mentoring
Parallel business and technical mentoring for CEOs and CTOs, from foundations through to Demo Day.
Physical spaces
Office space and in-person events at your assigned launchpad in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid or Málaga.
Investor & market access
Direct connections to specialised international AI and deep tech VCs through our acceleration partners.
Demo Day & visibility
A final showcase in front of investors, corporates and the wider BSC AI Factory ecosystem.
Supercomputing access
Hands-on access to MareNostrum 5 AI Update for the top-performing teams, with technical support from BSC AI experts.
Who it's for
The programme is designed for early-stage projects with strong potential, who are validating their product and are ready to scale.
- AI-native startups and high-potential AI projects, including teams in the process of incorporation (before the programme kickoff)
- Intensive use, development of, or investment in AI as a core part of the business
- Startups with an existing product with a good tech maturity level, ready to accelerate the development with supercomputing
- Startups with early commercial validation
- Multidisciplinary teams, at least with a business lead and product/techical lead
Programme Curriculum
Following the selection process, the programme runs across 14 structured sessions divided into three stages.
INSPIRE
Business & strategic foundation
25 startups per launchpad
Sessions 1–4 · 1 Dec - 22 Jan
- Business models & GTM
- PMF & growth hacking
- BSC open resources for model improvement
- Legal AI Act & IP
- Pricing and Unit economics
- Storytelling & pitching: how to present to different target audience
HANDS ON
Supercomputing Unlock
12 startups per launchpad
Sessions 5–10 · 25 Jan - 26 Feb
- Agentinc AI Bootcamp ( I & II)
- Understanding VCs
- Corporate matching event
- Sprint update with tech mentors
SCALE
Investment rounds & EU-wide showcase
3 startups per launchpad
Sessions 11–12 · 1 - 19 March
- Final Rehearsal & Feedback
- Demo Day: Pitch to Investors & Jury
Application Timeline
The application period opens before the programme begins.
8 October
The application form becomes available on the programme platform.
8 November
Final deadline for submitting a complete application.
20-27 November
Applications are assessed and successful teams are notified.
2 December
In-person global kickoff in Barcelona, for all the launchpads.
17 March
In-person final demo day with investor in Madrid, for selected finalists
Mentors
Best-in-class, on both sides of the stack
Access a pool of 50+ senior operators, researchers and investors, combining business and technical expertise to provide hands-on mentoring throughout the programme. Meet some of our mentors.
The people behind the programme
Partners
Making this programme possible
Funded by
Operated by
Tech partners
FAQ
Does it have a cost?
No, the programme is fully funded by SEDIA (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública).
How is the funnel structured?
25 startups per hub enter. After week 6, 12 per hub continue into the tech phase with MareNostrum 5 access. The top 3 per hub reach Demo Day.
Do I need to be in one of the four Hubs?
You must be able to attend key sessions at your assigned hub in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga or Bilbao. Most work and sessions are remote-friendly, but there are some in-person events you must attend.
What do I need to apply?
Application takes time start in advance. You'll answer business and tech questions and upload: Executive Summary (max 5 pages), a 1-minute Presentation Video, your Company Deck, and your Company Deed of Incorporation (escrituras) to verify eligibility.
What are the evaluation criteria?
Startups are scored out of 100: Quality and maturity of the AI solution (30) · Disruptiveness, strategic relevance and use case fit (25) · Team capacity (20) · Scalability and impact potential (15) · Relevance and added value of the BSC AI Factory environment (10). Full details in the T&C.
How are cut-offs assessed?
The programme has 2 cut-offs to allocate resources to the best startups. At each cut-off, a review panel evaluates all startups against milestones: participation, progress, commitment and business & tech potential.
Batch 01 · Applications
Ready to join the programme?
Twenty-five seats per launchpad. Zero equity. One selective programme to put your AI
startup on the European map.
accelerator.bsc-aif@bsc.es