The companies will be eligible for cash prizes, in addition to participating in the acceleration, training, and mentoring program.
A total of €5,000 will be awarded to the three best projects (1st prize: €2,500, 2nd prize: €1,500, 3rd prize: €1,000).
The Málaga BIC Euronova CEEI and the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), an entity under the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, through the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, are launching CYBERSECURITY VENTURES to promote innovation and digital security.
BIC Euronova, the European Business and Innovation Centre (CEEI) of Málaga, in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), announces the launch of an ambitious acceleration and incubation program to support innovative SMEs. This initiative aims to encourage the creation of new companies through an Incubation Program and enhance the innovative activities of existing companies through an Acceleration Program, while also strengthening digital security in the Spanish population and market.
The startup selection process for the Acceleration Program is scheduled between August and September, with the training and mentoring program starting in October and lasting 10 weeks, with two 4.5-hour morning sessions per week. Additionally, companies will receive a number of hours of individualized consulting on legal/tax and digital marketing issues, as well as the guidance of an expert mentor.
To be eligible, participating companies must have a link to cybersecurity, either as their core business, developing innovative cybersecurity products or services, or because their activities require it as a key aspect of their business (e.g., online sales), ensuring secure digital environments for their customers.
Furthermore, companies must meet the conditions to be considered startups, both at the time of application and at the start of the program (they must already be established and not older than five years; civil societies, non-profit associations and foundations, as well as self-employed individuals, are excluded).
INCIBE works tirelessly to strengthen digital trust in Spain, raise cybersecurity and resilience standards, and contribute to the digital market. Its goal is to promote the safe use of cyberspace, encouraging secure practices, and raising awareness in society about the importance of cybersecurity.
As a collaborating entity of the program, BIC Euronova will offer acceleration programs, talks, workshops, events, and incubation services to the participating companies. This joint effort will allow participants, including individuals, entrepreneurs, and companies, to benefit from a solid knowledge base in cybersecurity, essential for operating securely in today’s digital environment. It is noteworthy that Spain is the third country with the highest detection of cyber threats globally, with 6%, close to Japan and Poland.
INCIBE Emprende
INCIBE’s initiatives to promote cybersecurity entrepreneurship are aimed at entrepreneurs and startups with innovative ideas and projects in cybersecurity, from the business idea generation phase to incubation, acceleration, and express acceleration. All of these are part of the Program to Promote the National Cybersecurity Industry, particularly contributing to the key aspect of the industry: Boosting the national cybersecurity industry for the emergence, growth, and development of companies in this sector. This program, to be implemented under the umbrella of INCIBE Emprende, is included in the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR) through Component 15, Investment 7 Cybersecurity: Strengthening the capabilities of citizens, SMEs, and professionals and promoting the sector.
These initiatives will be carried out within the framework of the funds from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, financed by the European Union (Next Generation), the Government of Spain’s project that outlines the roadmap for modernizing the Spanish economy, recovering economic growth and creating employment, for strong, inclusive, and resilient economic reconstruction after the COVID-19 crisis, and to respond to the challenges of the next decade.
Interested companies should contact BIC Euronova (Tel. +34 951010504 / consultoria@bic.es).