Yesterday’s international launch of Startup OLÉ at the Madrid Stock Exchange Palace was a great success, setting the stage for an exciting year ahead with events slated for Miami, Marbella, and Salamanca, and the introduction of the CIBER-SHUBE project. This initiative aligns with the EU’s Next Generation funds and Spain’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, aiming to modernize the Spanish economy, stimulate growth, and create employment opportunities in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, while addressing the upcoming decade’s challenges.

The event’s anticipation exceeded all expectations, showcasing Startup OLÉ’s comprehensive agenda for 2024, including its 11th entrepreneurship fair in Salamanca from October 8-10. This edition will continue to offer a range of activities and experiences, featuring exclusive content from notable speakers, startup exhibitions, pitch competitions, concerts, and networking opportunities.

This year’s additions include Startup OLÉ Miami, happening from April 15-16 in the U.S. investment hub, and Startup OLÉ Beach Edition in Marbella from June 26-28, both designed to facilitate connections between entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, public administrations, media, and other ecosystem stakeholders in cities renowned for their investment potential and quality of life.

This launch also served to present the new project born from the collaboration between INCIBE and the University of Salamanca: CIBER-SHUBE. This initiative entitled ‘Public Invitation for Collaboration in the promotion of Strategic Cybersecurity Projects in Spain’ aims to provide specific solutions to some of the greatest scientific and technological challenges of our society and economy under the name of “Strategic Projects”, in the field of cybersecurity promoted by public universities or consortia made up of public and private universities in which a public university, specifically the University of Salamanca, plays the role of coordination and administration of the consortium.

On the other hand, within the National Cybersecurity Industry Promotion Programme to influence key aspects aimed at the growth and development of new companies in the sector, framed in the INCIBE Emprende programme, the University of Salamanca will develop the initiative entitled ‘Public invitation for the development of actions to attract business ideas, incubation and acceleration of entrepreneurial projects’, which will seek the development of specialized activities (talks, workshops, and events) in the promotion of entrepreneurial initiatives in cybersecurity, with the common aim of incorporating entrepreneurs into the Spanish digital economy and society, providing material and/or personal resources for its achievement in a joint and coordinated manner.

These two projects are supported by funds from the EU-funded Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (Next Generation), the Spanish government’s blueprint for modernizing the Spanish economy, restoring economic growth and job creation, for strong, inclusive and resilient economic reconstruction after the COVID19 crisis, and for responding to the challenges of the next decade.

Central to the event were four dynamic roundtable discussions, each focusing on critical aspects of the entrepreneurial journey: investment trends in a shifting landscape, the power of open innovation, the strategic role of media in entrepreneurship, and the impact of public administration and corporations on social development. These discussions brought together a diverse group of experts, from seasoned investors to innovative corporate leaders, to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for startups and entrepreneurs globally.

Between the highlight of the conversations, Pilar Carrato from CDTI emphasis on the importance of financial support for innovation, stating, “Las ideas son muy buenas pero necesitan del dinero” (Ideas are great but they need money). Borja Cabezón, the new director of Enisa, expressed his commitment to continuing support for entrepreneurs.

Carlos Blanco, co-founder and Managing Partner of Encomenda Smart Capital, during the first roundtable on investment in a changing world, remarked on the current climate for innovation investment, saying, “es momento para empezar a apostar de verdad en la innovación” (it’s time to start truly betting on innovation), noting an unprecedented wealth of investment opportunities recently.

In the roundtable on open innovation, Jorge Ruiz-Peinado of Cepsa highlighted the pragmatic approach to working with startups: “Bajamos a las startups del mundo de la piruleta y le damos una vuelta a las soluciones para que realmente tengan una solución eficiente a un problema real” (We bring startups down from the cloud and rethink solutions so they truly offer efficient solutions to real problems).

The media’s role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem was underscored by Andrés Dulanto of Agencia EFE, who emphasized the importance of clear communication objectives: “Los medios de comunicación tenemos la necesidad de comunicar la innovaciónn para informar a la gente y apoyar al emprendimiento”  and continued “lo importante es tener el objetivo claro de lo que se quiere comunicar” (The media channels have the need of communicate the innovation for both inform the people and help the entrepreneurs, the important thing is to have a clear objective of what you want to communicate).

Esther Molina, CEO of WILDCom, heated the discussion: “Emprendedores sepan que si su producto es noticiable, ni siquiera necesitan una agencia de PR, los medios necesitan la noticia.” pointing out that entrepreneurs many times don’t even need an agency if their product is good enough, solve a problem and calls the attention of the audience. She also pointed out the importance of having an updated presence online, as there is nothing worse than being mentioned by the media, to end in a broken link or outdated profile. Lastly she finished with a tip: Send the press releases in Word to simplify the work of the journalist.

The roundtables concluded with Joe Haslam’s humor-infused moderation of the final panel, bringing a light-hearted and engaging close to the discussions. His wit and joviality added a unique flair to the proceedings, underlining the networking session’s festive atmosphere with cocktails and fun. As with every Startup OLÉ event, it was a pleasure to participate in a forum where entrepreneurship is not just discussed but felt and where opportunities are not just presented but made tangible. With the distinctive charm of Emilio Corchado, the event transformed the typically reserved world of corporate into an almost cozy family gathering, eagerly anticipated by all for its next iteration.

For more infor about the events visit StartupOLÉ website: www.startupole.eu

The idea laboratory, Foro Ecofin, has awarded Startup OLÉ with the ECOFIN Jury Prize 2023. From this collaborative platform, which is committed to improving the governance and financial environment of the economy, they have chosen to reward the work of Startup OLÉ for its support of innovation and entrepreneurship, a role it has been successfully fulfilling for a decade.

Ecofin has acknowledged the efforts of Mr. Emilio Corchado, CEO of Startup OLÉ, as the founder, from Salamanca, of one of the largest European and, therefore, Spanish events in terms of entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Furthermore, it operates in five major countries in Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia). In this regard, all these activities have contributed to the creation of a vast ecosystem (CYL-HUB) in an autonomous community, as is the case with Castilla y León, where much of its population tends to leave their region for employment reasons. This is another reason why the platform wanted to reward Startup OLÉ.

The ceremony and award presentation took place on October 17th at the “Cristalera de la Hípica” of the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, within the framework of the ‘Finance Night 2023’ event. Along with Startup OLÉ, Ecofin also honored SegurCaixa Adeslas, Anima Digital Marketing, Metal Industries Anro, Gravity, Digital Ecosystems Lab, Tap On Phone, Compluemprende, Business TV, and Unicorn Content with the same distinction.

For more details and updates, visit the official Startup OLÉ website.

Recent data underscores the program’s monumental impact. In the first half of 2023, Estonian e-residents established 2,302 new companies, marking a 6% increase. Moreover, companies under Estonian e-residents generated a remarkable €37.7 million in tax revenue, a 57% increase compared to 2022. The e-Resident community also marked a milestone, surpassing 100,000 members in less than a decade.

“The e-Residency program transcends mere statistics; it embodies the transformative potential it offers to global entrepreneurs, connecting them to Estonia’s vast offerings,” stated Taiz Coe, the driving force behind the program’s business efforts in Spain. “The growth in Spain underscores the program’s value and its alignment with modern entrepreneurial aspirations.”

Opportunities Abound in Estonia

The e-Residency program is not just a digital identity; it’s a gateway to the myriad opportunities that Estonia offers. Entrepreneurs can tap into Estonia’s competitive tax system, its vibrant startup ecosystem, and a plethora of funding opportunities. The nation’s digital-first approach ensures that businesses can operate seamlessly, with transparent regulations and a supportive environment. Whether it’s accessing the European market, seeking venture capital, or leveraging Estonia’s tech-savvy workforce, the opportunities are vast and varied.

A Celebration of Success and Unity:

“We are very happy,” Emilio began, his voice brimming with joy and pride as he spoke about the 10th anniversary. “We have blown the candles of the 10th anniversary, I believe, from our point of view, very successfully.” For Emilio, the success of the event was mirrored in the congregation of over 230 startups, 150 investors, and numerous corporations, all immersed in “doing pure and hard business.”

Salamanca, the host town, is not just any town; it’s a place steeped in history and education, home to one of the first universities in the world and the first one with a public library, standing today as a global beacon in education. Creating a relevant event in such a small, significant town, in the middle of “España esperanzada” as Emilio calls it, was a monumental task, but the rich educational heritage of Salamanca made it the perfect backdrop for an event celebrating innovation and learning.

CYL-HUB: Unifying and Elevating Castilla y León:

Besides Startup Olé, Emilio passionately spoke about the transformative work done through CYL-HUB in Castilla y León. “We have done a very beautiful job in Castilla y León these two years,” he shared, highlighting how it has been instrumental in bringing together and elevating the region’s ecosystem. Before CYL-HUB, regions like Madrid, Catalonia were the focal points of the entrepreneurial map of Spain, but Castilla y León was not in the map. Emilio emphasized, “Now CYL-HUB is talked about,” illustrating how it has enabled Castilla y León to gain powerful national projection and recognition.

Dreams, Aspirations, and Emilio’s Drive:

Emilio’s words were a reflection of his relentless spirit and his dreams for Startup Olé. “We want to push ourselves to the limit,” he said, his voice imbued with passion and determination to elevate Startup Olé to unparalleled heights.

“We have two challenges, two dreams,” Emilio revealed with a twinkle in his eye, hinting at the future editions of Startup Olé. His dreams are not just about expansion; they are about creating inclusive and diverse platforms for pushing the Spanish ecosystem forward, making an editon by the beach and another in a Spanish-speaking city in the USA.

The next edition of Startup Olé is going to be held in April. “Be my guest! You are super invited already,” he concluded, leaving an open invitation to the world to join him in this journey of innovation and collaboration. Club GLOBALS is going to be there as every year!

Insights:

For more profound insights we spoke with very interesting individuals! Delve into the series of interviews we conducted, each offering a unique glimpse into the world of innovation and entrepreneurship:

Staying Ahead in a Dynamic Landscape:

In the ever-shifting tech world, staying ahead is crucial. “We’re always on the lookout for emerging trends and technologies,” Nacho stated, highlighting their commitment to continuous learning and innovation through collaborations and participation in global tech conferences.

Launching into the Future:

Excitement is in the air as VI&GO gears up to launch their first pilot in November, partnering with a significant player in the last-mile delivery sector. “It’s a big step for us, and we’re thrilled about the potential impact,” Nacho expressed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The aspirations are high, with plans to expand across Spain and eventually throughout Europe, fully committed to making VI&GO a known name in the battery swapping industry.

Vision for Sustainable Mobility:

Nacho believes in the substantial role of battery swapping in the future landscape of mobility, especially with the rising emphasis on sustainable transportation and electric vehicles. “Battery swapping is an already existing, successful market in Asia,” he pointed out, adding that the significant emphasis on sustainable and electric solutions by the European Union and the rising demand for electric micromobility in Europe place VI&GO at the forefront of this process.

Learning and Growing:

Reflecting on VI&GO’s journey, the most valuable lesson for Nacho has been to never give up. “We’ve discovered numerous resources to support our project every step of the way,” he shared, expressing gratitude for the local support received from the automotive industry ecosystem in their geographical area.

Ignacio invites everyone to be part of VI&GO’s transformative journey and to stay tuned for more exciting updates. “I’d encourage everyone to follow us on our social media channels,” he concluded warmly.

A Factory stands out with its diverse expertise, innovative solutions like Life ID, and its commitment to addressing the needs and challenges of the IT sector. “We are looking forward to the impact of our innovations and contributions to the IT sector,” concludes Veronica.

For more information about A Factory and their innovations, visit A Factory.

The Founder Institute Spain, under Ana’s direction, is making significant strides in supporting budding entrepreneurs in their initial stages, providing them with a structured program to validate their projects and make informed decisions about their entrepreneurial journey. “We are here to help entrepreneurs in Spain in their initial stage, which is where they need the most support,” concludes Ana.

For more information about the Founder Institute Spain and their program, visit Founder Institute Spain.

Bots Lovers, with its innovative approach and advanced solutions like Love.ai, is revolutionizing the way businesses operate. “Bots Lovers is here to free humans from boring, repetitive tasks, enabling them to focus on more meaningful work,” concludes Andrés Pulgarin.

For more information about Bots Lovers and their innovations, visit Bots Lovers