Startup Acceleration 2026

The objective is to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the electricity sector, driving the growth of early-stage startups (pre-seed and seed) that are building their MVP, validating their business model, market or legal structure. In 2026, the programme’s priority challenges are:

• Intelligent O&M monitoring for photovoltaic plants

• New digital services for the low-voltage grid

• Affordable home batteries for flexibility

• Large-scale household micro-flexibility with customer control

The benefit Estabanell gains is staying connected with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, incorporating innovative products and services into its businesses and fostering innovation internally.

The programme can be carried out both in person and virtually, but there are specific milestones that require in-person attendance:

• At the start of the programme, we will hold a one (1) day in-person Bootcamp at Estabanell’s headquarters in Granollers, in mid-May 2026.

• At the end of the programme, we will organise a Demo Day where accelerated startups will present their progress to mentors, investors, potential clients and key figures from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Demo Day will take place in December 2026, in Barcelona or Granollers, and will be in person.

The acceleration programme runs for approximately 6 months, from the launch Bootcamp in mid-May to the Demo Day in December 2026.

Each selected startup has access to a team of up to three specialised mentors:

• 2 mentors from the Aticco Lab network, which you can select based on your project’s needs.

• 1 internal Estabanell mentor, who will support you with everything related to sector know-how in energy.

During the programme, you will have access to 6 group sessions (Boards) of 2 hours with the full mentor team, plus individual one-to-one sessions (maximum 6 one-hour sessions per mentor).

At the start of the programme, attendance at the one-day in-person Bootcamp in Granollers is required. During the 6-month duration, you will have 3 mentors available with whom you will meet monthly (in person or virtually) at the Board sessions. In addition, you can meet individually with each mentor every month to go deeper into specific aspects of your project.

Attendance at the Boards is mandatory: missing 2 or more Boards results in expulsion from the programme.

Yes, but unlike previous editions, in 2026 the €10,000 prize is awarded exclusively to the startup that has demonstrated the highest level of commitment, the strongest project evolution and the best use of the resources and support offered throughout the Programme.

The prize evaluation criteria are:

• Commitment and active participation (20%)

• Project evolution during the Programme (30%)

• Future outlook and collaboration potential (25%)

• Execution capacity and learning (15%)

• Quality of relationship with the Programme ecosystem (10%)

The prize will be awarded at the end of the programme, during the Demo Day. Non-attendance at the Demo Day results in direct disqualification.

After the programme, your project will have evolved and you will have a more mature startup. You will become part of the ERIA and Aticco Lab alumni community, which means access to an exclusive network of companies and entrepreneurs, networking opportunities and connections with potential investors or partners.

It is possible that ERIA and/or the Estabanell Group may wish to continue collaborating with your project through a Proof of Concept (PoC) within one or more Group companies, should any of their businesses need to incorporate innovation. This would be formalised through a specific agreement between the parties.

Venture Client means that a large company becomes the first major client of a startup when it is still in an early stage. The startup gains a reference client that helps cover operating costs, improve its product or service and validate its business model.

Venture Capital, on the other hand, is the tool large companies use to invest in and become a shareholder (equity) of a startup, regardless of whether they become a client.

The key difference: in Venture Client, payment is made for the product or service; in Venture Capital, payment is made for shares or equity in the company.

The programme operates in Catalan, Spanish or English interchangeably. If you are a Spanish or European startup, you can submit your application in English, Spanish or Catalan. During the programme, you may use whichever language best suits your needs.

The maximum number of startups selected to participate in the Programme is 4. The selection is made by external professionals and ERIA members from all eligible applications received.

To participate in the 2026 Programme, the following main requirements must be met:

• Be a recently created pre-seed or seed startup in the energy sector, based in Spain or Europe.

• Have at least 2 full-time founders/CEOs.

• Be legally incorporated and registered in the relevant registry.

• Offer a new and innovative solution aligned with one of the challenges proposed by ERIA.

You can find the full details of the requirements in the Programme’s Legal Terms available on the ERIA website.

The key dates for the 2026 Acceleration Programme are:

• Open Call start: 10 March 2026

• Application deadline: 13 April 2026 (23:59h GMT+1)

• Selection period: until 27 April 2026

• Notification and contract signing: 28 April 2026

• Launch Bootcamp: mid-May 2026 (exact date to be confirmed)

• Acceleration period: 6 months (May – November 2026)

• Demo Day: December 2026