The Accelerator programme powered Mare Nostrum 5
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.
100
Startups per batch
4
Hubs across spain
12
Weeks of programme
Top 9
supercomputer in Europe
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, with a target of 25 startups per location.
The programme runs over 12 weeks and is carried out across 4 physical hubs covering the entire Spanish territory with a selective funnel that culminates in exclusive access to MareNostrum 5.
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.
Programme Benefits
What selected teams get
A high-level, equity-free programme combining infrastructure, expert guidance and market access.
Supercomputing access
Hands-on access to MareNostrum 5 for the top-performing teams, with technical support from BSC engineers.
Zero equity
The programme is fully funded. No equity is taken and there is no participation fee.
Physical hub space
Office space and in-person events at your assigned hub in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid or Málaga.
Combined mentoring
Parallel business and technical mentoring for CEOs and CTOs, from foundations through to Demo Day.
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.
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 HPC
- Startups with early commercial validation (LoI, pilot…)
- Multidisciplinary teams, at least with a business lead and product/techical lead
Programme Curriculum
Following the selection process, the programme runs across 12 structured sessions divided into three stages.
INSPIRE
Business & strategic foundation
25 startups per hub
Sessions 1–4 · 16 Nov - 13 Dec
- Business models & GTM
- PMF & growth hacking
- Market cases
- Legal AI Act & IP
- Pricing and Unit economy
- AI use cases & value creation
HANDS ON
HPC Unlock
12 startups per hub
Sessions 5–10 · 21 Dec - 5 Feb
- BSC open resources for model improvement
- Agentic AI Bootcamp
- Corporate matching / roundtable session
- Storytelling & pitch | Understanding VCs
SCALE
Investment rounds & EU-wide showcase
3 startups per hub
Sessions 11–12 · 8 - 26 Feb
- Final Rehearsal & Feedback
- Demo Day — Pitch to Investors & Jury