ICEX, Red.es and Incibe launch the Desafía Community: A boost to entrepreneurship and innovation in Spain

At an event held today in Madrid, ICEX has officially presented the Desafía Community, an initiative that brings together more than 250 high-potential Spanish startups. This launch marks an important milestone in supporting the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, integrating startups that have participated in immersion programs in the most advanced technological ecosystems in the world.

A Link for Sustainable Growth

The Community Challengepromoted by ICEX, Red.es and Incibeaims to support the sustained growth of startups beyond international immersion programs. These programs, held in cities such as San Francisco, Tel Aviv, London, Berlin, Singapore, New York, Boston, Switzerland and the Nordic countries, have provided a platform to learn about and adapt to the most innovative technological ecosystems on the planet.

The launch event was attended by prominent industry leaders, including Elisa Carbonell, CEO of ICEX, Jesús Herrero, General Manager of Red.esand Ignacio González, Deputy Director of Cybersecurity Technologies at Incibe. The closing ceremony was led by Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Trade, who stressed the strategic importance of this initiative for the future of entrepreneurship in Spain.

Beyond Immersion: A Collaborative Ecosystem

Since its creation in 2011, the Desafía programme has played a crucial role in the internationalisation of Spanish startups. Now, with the Desafía Community, the focus is broadened to include ongoing support to facilitate collaboration between participating companies and other ecosystem agents, such as corporations and investors.

A relevant fact is that more than 80% of the companies that have gone through the Desafía programs continue to operate, significantly exceeding the survival rate of startups at a national level. This success is a testament to the effectiveness of the immersion programs and the potential that the Desafía Community represents.

Connecting and Learning Initiatives

Starting in September, the Desafía Community will launch a series of initiatives designed to foster the growth of its members. These activities will include opportunities for startups to connect with each other, share best practices and collaborate with other players in the innovation ecosystem.

The Area101 platform, which specialises in the dynamisation of innovation communities, will play a key role in the management and support of these activities. This will allow for a more structured and effective interaction between them and investors, corporations and other agents interested in the talent and innovation that Spain offers.

A Milestone in Support for Entrepreneurship

The launch of the Desafía Community not only represents ongoing support for participating companies, but also serves as a window of opportunity for investors and corporations. The community becomes a space where new ideas, collaborations and investment opportunities can be identified and fostered.

Jesús Herrero, CEO of Red.es, highlighted the importance of this community for the economic and technological growth of the country: “The Desafía Community is a natural step in our mission to support Spanish startups. Not only do we facilitate their entry into international markets, but we now also provide them with a robust ecosystem for their continued growth in Spain.”

A Platform for Innovation

Since its first edition in San Francisco 14 years ago, the Desafía program has continuously evolved to include new destinations and opportunities. With the creation of the Desafía Community, startups now have the possibility to maintain and expand the connections and learnings acquired during the immersion programs.

The Deputy Director of Cybersecurity Technologies, Ignacio González, emphasized the crucial role of the community in creating a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship: “Collaboration is key to innovation. With the Challenge Community, we are creating an environment where ideas can flourish and become real solutions that drive economic and social growth.»

Conclusion

The Desafía Community is presented as a pioneering initiative in supporting the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem. By connecting more than 250 startups with key agents in the world of innovation and investment, this community not only promises sustained growth for its members, but also positions Spain as a benchmark in the field of technological entrepreneurship.

The collaboration between ICEX, Red.es and Incibe, together with the support of Area101, ensures that the Desafía Community will be a dynamic and effective platform for the development of startups with high growth potential. With its focus on connection, learning and collaboration, the Desafía Community marks the beginning of a new era for entrepreneurship in Spain.

Ambientum Editorial