Startup Acceleration 2026

We started the 2026 acceleration program for pre-seed and seed startups to help them grow and reach the next level.

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THE CHALLENGES

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Challenge 1:

Advanced O&M for photovoltaic plants

How could we detect and prioritize PV plant incidents with drones/robotics and advanced analytics, reducing travel and manual inspections, and increasing recovered production and O&M efficiency?

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Challenge 2:

New digital services over the low voltage network

How could we leverage the digitization of the low-voltage grid (including broadband PLC) to enable new scalable digital services – based on data and, where it brings value, on behind-the-meter asset control/orchestration – ensuring distributor neutrality, security and privacy, and facilitating value creation for third parties and for the electricity system?

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Challenge 2:

Autonomous network operation and optimization of infrastructure through AI

How could we implement an autonomous AI-based network operation that optimizes the capacity of existing network infrastructures?

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Challenge 3:

Compact and affordable home battery

How could we deploy a flexible asset, for example a compact and affordable home battery, sized for homes with contracted power between 3 and 7 kW, that would pay back the investment in a reasonable timeframe, providing bill savings and/or enabling new energy services?

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Challenge 4:

Scalable home micro-flexibility with customer control

How could we enable domestic micro-flexibility on a large scale, in homes without EV or aerothermal (and with often unmanageable electric DHW), to reduce costs, improve customer experience and prepare for future flexibility markets, without friction and with customer control/consent?

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Calendar

Open Call Start

10/3/2026

Application Deadline

13/4/2026

Review and Selection

27/4/2026

Communication and contract signing

28/4/2026

Start-up Bootcamp

May 2026

6 months of acceleration

May to December

Demo Day

December 2026

Home Open Call

10/3/2026
Open Call
Tancament Aplicacions

Closing applications

13/4/2026

Review and selection

27/4/2026
Revisió i selecció
Contracte

Comunication and contract

28/4/2026

Startup Bootcamp

May 2026
Bootcamp d’inici
Acceleració

6 month of acceleration

May - December

Demo Day

December 2026
Demo Day
We are opening the application period so that startups can present their project.
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We want to transform our environment alongside you

We want to transform our environment

Partners

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FAQs

Is the acceleration program free of charge?

Yes, it is a totally free program funded by ERIA, Estabanell’s external Corporate Venturing vehicle. It is an equity free program: you will not have to assign shares or contribute capital to ERIA, Aticco or mentors. You will not have to give up any percentage of the company for your participation. We believe in the founding team and we bet on it with total confidence.

What is the objective of the acceleration program?

The objective is to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the energy, telco or smart home sector by accelerating the growth of early stage startups, which are building the MVP, validating the business model, the market or its legal structure. The benefit for Estabanell is to be connected with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, to incorporate innovative products and services to its different businesses and to foster innovation internally.

Where does the acceleration program take place?

The program can be developed both in person and virtually, but there are certain moments that require commitment and presence:

  • At the beginning of the program we will hold a 2-day Bootcamp in Barcelona. The Bootcamp will be held on May 19-20 (we will try not to coincide with any major industry event).
  • At the end of the program we will organize a DemoDay, in which the accelerated startups will present their evolution during the months of acceleration in front of corporates, partners and investors. The DemoDay will be held at the end of November and will also be in person.

How long does the acceleration program last?

The acceleration program will last 6 months. It is a completely tailor-made program that we carry out in collaboration with Aticco.

Who are the mentors?

The acceleration program will give you the possibility to select 5 mentors for your project. Three of them are part of the Aticco mentoring network, and you will be able to directly select the one that best fits the needs of your project. The other 2 mentors are part of Estabanell and will help you in everything related to the know-how of the energy and telco sector.

What dedication does the acceleration program involve?

At the beginning of the program you will have to attend the 2-day Bootcamp in Barcelona. During the 6 months of the acceleration program you will have at your disposal 5 mentors with whom you will meet face-to-face or virtually once a month so that you can take advantage of all their knowledge. In addition, each month, if you wish, you will be able to meet individually with each of them so that they can provide you with a differential value.

Is there a prize for participating in the acceleration program?

Yes, ERIA will grant each of the accelerated startups an amount of up to €10,000 non-refundable. That is, without asking for anything in return. We recommend that you invest the money in the growth of your startup. This amount can also help defray any expenses that arise during the acceleration program. The prize will be awarded at the end of the acceleration program.

What happens after the acceleration program?

After the program you will have evolved your project, you will have a more mature startup and you will be able to achieve many accomplishments.
You will become part of the ERIA alumni community, which implies certain benefits. You will also be part of the Aticco community.
ERIA may want to continue collaborating with me and test your technology if one of our businesses needs to incorporate innovation. That is why we could collaborate through our Venture Client program and perform a Proof of Concept to validate our future integration.

What is "Venture Client" and how is it different from "Venture Capital"?

Venture Client is where a large company becomes a startup’s first large client when the startup is still in its early stages. The startup gets a large client that helps it cover operating costs, have a good portfolio of clients and improve its service or product based on feedback from that client.
On the other hand, Venture Capital is the tool of large companies to invest and become a partner of startups, regardless of whether or not it becomes a client of the startup.
The main difference is that the Venture Client is paid for the product or service and the Venture Capital is paid for the shares or participations of the company (equity).

What language should you use in the application? What language is used in the program?

In the program, If you are a Spanish startup, you can fill it out in English, Spanish or Catalan.
During the program you will be able to use Catalan, Spanish or English, depending on your needs.

Consult our legal bases

Download the bases