Open Calls

The 10th edition of the VLC Startup Awards, organised by Valencia City Council through Valencia Innovation Capital in collaboration with Startup Valencia, recognises the city’s most innovative entrepreneurial projects. This year’s edition offers a total of €60,000 in prizes across 10 categories, supporting and increasing the visibility of local entrepreneurial talent.

A European Innovation Council program for startups and SMEs developing high-risk innovations with the potential to create or disrupt markets. It combines grants of up to €2.5 million with equity or quasi-equity investment ranging from €1 million to €10 million to support the development, commercialisation and scale-up of disruptive technologies, particularly deep tech projects with substantial funding needs.

A European Innovation Council program for deep tech companies seeking large funding rounds to scale across Europe. The instrument provides equity investments ranging from €10 million to €30 million, with the aim of mobilising private funding rounds of at least €50 million and supporting strategic technologies such as semiconductors, biotechnology and clean technologies.

AITEX opens its Business Awards to companies with innovative and sustainable projects and initiatives that contribute to industrial development. The awards aim to recognise and showcase business proposals that strengthen competitiveness, generate new solutions and address current challenges across the business and industrial landscape.

A program for retail SMEs to carry out a Commercial Innovation Diagnostic aimed at identifying their main strengths and areas for improvement. Based on the assessment, participating companies receive recommendations to enhance their competitiveness and foster innovation in their commercial activity. The initiative is part of the Retail Trade Support Plan.

The Entrepreneurship Competition is an initiative within the Horizon Deep Tech Summit designed for early-stage projects seeking visibility, pitching opportunities in front of investors, and prizes of up to one hundred thousand euros. It is aimed at entrepreneurs looking to launch their projects into the technology ecosystem. Startups selected among the thirty finalists gain access to the second day of the event at La Nave and the third day at the Palacio.

Growth Ignite Competition is an initiative within the Horizon Deep Tech Summit aimed at startups seeking fundraising or commercialization opportunities for their technology. Participants gain access to La Nave and networking spaces with policymakers, investors, and corporations. The thirty selected startups receive access to the second day at La Nave and the third day at the Palacio, along with participation in the MIT Investors Forum and dedicated speed dating sessions with investors.

The MIT Alumni Investors Forum is a gathering organized within the Horizon Deep Tech Summit that connects the Spanish technology ecosystem directly with the global MIT network, serving as a bridge between talent, capital, and technology. It is aimed at deep tech startups based in Spain seeking exposure to international investors. The thirty selected startups gain access to the first two days of the event at La Nave and the third day at the Palacio.

A call from Elche City Council aimed at entrepreneurs looking to launch a new business in the city. The awards seek to encourage the creation of new companies and jobs, support entrepreneurs starting their business activity, and recognise the role of entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development and wealth creation in Elche.

A program for SMEs looking to improve their cybersecurity and ensure safer and more reliable use of the digital environment. The initiative aims to help companies protect their systems and business activity against digital risks, strengthening cybersecurity as a key element of competitiveness and supporting their operations in an increasingly digital business environment.

A grant program for companies within the Valencia Chamber of Commerce district seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity. The program provides Assisted Cybersecurity Diagnosis and Implementation services to identify risks, improve the protection of information and telecommunications systems, and help SMEs prevent and manage the main cybersecurity threats they face.

An IVF financing scheme for innovative startups and SMEs in the Comunidad Valenciana that have been operating for less than five years. It offers participating loans ranging from €200,000 to €1 million, without guarantees, through co-investment with private investors. The financing is compatible with other public grants and aims to support the growth and consolidation of innovative companies.

An IVF financing scheme for SMEs with at least two years of activity, or companies newly established in the Comunidad Valenciana, that are carrying out investment or growth projects. It offers loans with subsidised interest rates to support new investments, strengthen productive capacity and help beneficiary companies expand their operations.

A financing scheme for companies in the Comunidad Valenciana developing innovative projects focused on improving products or processes, as well as business expansion and consolidation initiatives. Financing is provided through subordinated loans and a co-investment model with private investors, with the aim of supporting the growth and competitiveness of innovative companies.

ESA BIC Valencia Region is the European Space Agency’s incubation programme, managed in the Comunitat Valenciana in collaboration with the Spanish Space Agency. It is open to startups and companies under five years old registered in the provinces of Castellón, Alicante or Valencia with a demonstrable connection to the space sector, either applying space technology to non-space solutions or non-space technology to the space market. Selected projects gain access to funding of up to 50,000 euros, specialised mentorship and a top-tier innovation ecosystem. The call is permanent with periodic evaluation cut-off deadlines.

International program by Santander X aimed at startups and scaleups developing solutions to improve the quality of life of older adults. The call focuses on technological innovation applied to longevity, health, inclusion, and wellbeing, providing visibility, strategic support, and access to a global network of experts, corporates, and investors committed to the challenges of the Silver Economy.