Which startup grants and competitions are open in Spain?

Last updated: 5 October 2026. This page is refreshed every 15 days.

As of 5 October 2026, we count 11 grants, loans, competitions and accelerators open to startups in Spain, either with a fixed deadline or on a rolling basis. The first to close is the 4YFN Awards 2027 at MWC Barcelona, on 26 October 2026. One of the 11, ENISA's Startups y Pymes line, has a disputed deadline, so check it before you count on it (details below).

This page tracks live calls. If you want the bigger picture on who puts money into young companies here (business angels, VCs, public lenders, accelerators), read our guide to who funds startups in Valencia.

The rule that always applies: deadlines move, budgets run out and the official rules (bases reguladoras) change between editions. On the day you apply, check the deadline and the conditions on the organiser's official website.

Which grants and competitions are open right now (5 October 2026)?

Here are the 11 calls, from the nearest deadline to the furthest. Sources are the organisers' official websites, plus secondary sources where we say so.

Not set up in Spain yet? The order matters: company structure, NIE, tax residency and then funding. Our guide on starting a startup in Valencia as a foreigner walks you through it.

What should you verify before applying?

Several entries in the table come with caveats. Here they are, exactly as our research found them:

• ENISA Startups y Pymes: the deadline is unclear. One source gives a window from 1 January to 31 August 2026, which would mean it is already closed. Another describes it as permanent. Only enisa.es can settle it.
• ENISA Jóvenes Emprendedores: the permanent window comes from secondary sources and needs reconfirming on enisa.es.
• Ekintzaile+ (SPRI): this is a separate programme from Ekintzaile. No 2026 edition has been confirmed, so it is not in the open-calls table.
• EIC Accelerator: the announced Step 2 cut-offs for 2027 are 3 February, 1 April, 1 September and 3 November 2027. A switch from 6 cut-offs a year to 4 is still under review, with adoption expected in late 2026. The Pre-Accelerator 2027 (Widening track) has an announced cut-off of 18 November 2027. The funding amount was not reconfirmed in our research.
• Lanzadera: the "apply by 14 December, start on 8 March" rule most likely means 14 December 2026 and 8 March 2027. Confirm on lanzadera.es. Our sources don't give a funding amount.
• Wayra: the general line is rolling, but Wayra x AstraZeneca (digital health) closed on 7 January 2026. Don't mix them up.
• ICO: ICO-MRR closed on 1 June 2026. The ordinary Empresas y Emprendedores line is a different product and stays open until 31 December 2026.

The rule that always applies: deadlines move, budgets run out and the official rules (bases reguladoras) change between editions. On the day you apply, check the deadline and the conditions on the organiser's official website.

Which calls closed in 2026, and what to expect for 2027?

These calls are closed for 2026. We list them so you can prepare for the next round. None has an officially announced 2027 date yet.

How to apply effectively?

A few habits that save time and keep you from being rejected over paperwork:

1. Check eligibility first. Company age, location, legal form, founders' ages, sector exclusions: if you miss one criterion, the rest of your file doesn't matter. ENISA Jóvenes Emprendedores (under 24 months, majority under 41) and Ekintzaile (based in Euskadi, backed by a BIC) are good examples.
2. Read the official rules, not just summaries. The bases reguladoras and the call text are what count. Press articles and newsletters, ours included, are a starting point.
3. Prepare your documents before the call opens. Business plan, financial forecasts, company registration papers and up to date tax and Social Security certificates take longer to gather than you think.
4. Don't wait for the last day. Online portals slow down near deadlines, and some calls close early once the budget runs out.
5. Mix your instruments. A public loan, a competition and an accelerator do different jobs. Check each programme's rules on whether they can be combined.
6. Keep your own calendar. Write down every deadline in words, set a reminder well ahead, and recheck the official site the week you apply.

Want the wider ecosystem (hubs, coworkings, events, who's who)? Our guide to Valencia's startup and tech scene maps it out.

Frequently asked questions

Which startup call in Spain closes soonest?

The 4YFN Awards 2027, run by GSMA Foundry at MWC Barcelona. Applications close on 26 October 2026. Entry is free, there's a €20,000 cash prize and the Top 20 get visibility at the event, held from 1 to 4 March 2027 in Barcelona.

Is anything open for startups based in Valencia?

Yes. Lanzadera's acceleration programme takes applications until 14 December for an intake on 8 March (most likely the 2026/2027 cycle, to be confirmed on lanzadera.es), and you need to be in Valencia 3 days a week. National lines such as ICO and ENISA, and private programmes such as Wayra and BBVA Spark, are also open to Valencian companies that meet their criteria. The 2026 IVACE regional calls (INNOVA-CV, DIGITALIZA-CV) are closed, and no 2027 dates have been published.

Are ENISA loans grants?

No. ENISA offers participative loans, which you repay. The Jóvenes Emprendedores line lends €25,000 to €75,000 with a 5-year grace period and 7-year repayment, at Euribor + 3.25% plus a variable tranche capped at 3% to 6% depending on profitability. The Startups y Pymes line lends €25,000 to €1,500,000.

Is ENISA's Startups y Pymes line still open?

We can't say for sure. Sources contradict each other: one gives a window from 1 January to 31 August 2026, which would mean it is closed, while another describes a permanent window. Check directly on enisa.es before applying.

Can I still apply for NEOTEC?

Not in 2026. The CDTI's NEOTEC call closed on 14 May 2026 (confirmed). The 2027 edition hasn't been announced. The usual cycle suggests an April opening, but nothing is official.

Is ICO-MRR the same as ICO's Empresas y Emprendedores line?

No. ICO-MRR closed on 1 June 2026, with no information on a next edition. The ordinary Empresas y Emprendedores line is separate and stays open until 31 December 2026. It can cover up to 100% of your investment or liquidity needs, and we found no numeric cap.

How much does the EIC Accelerator give, and when is the next cut-off?

The amount wasn't reconfirmed in our research, so check it on eic.ec.europa.eu. The next announced Step 2 cut-off is 3 February 2027 (provisional calendar), followed by 1 April, 1 September and 3 November 2027. A move from 6 cut-offs a year to 4 is still under review, with adoption expected in late 2026.

Who can apply for Ekintzaile 2026?

Project holders and companies in the maturation or launch phase, based in the Basque Country and supported by a BIC (business innovation centre). Funding goes up to €30,000, with aid intensity up to 70% (up to 100% for a new company). The deadline is 11 December 2026 at 5pm. Ekintzaile+ is a separate programme with no confirmed 2026 edition.

Which programmes have no deadline at all?

Wayra España's general line (equity of up to $200,000 for tech startups) takes applications on a rolling basis, and BBVA Spark (venture debt, go-to-market financing) works by direct contact with no deadline. Google for Startups Accelerator Europe runs in thematic waves, but no 2027 dates have been found.

How often is this page updated?

Every 15 days. The last update was on 5 October 2026. Deadlines, budgets and rules change between editions, so always check the official website of the body running the call on the day you apply.

General information, last updated 5 October 2026. It is not a substitute for personalised advice. We review this page every 15 days.