How do you invest in startups in Valencia?

You have three main ways to invest your own money in Valencia startups: join a business angel network, back companies through an equity crowdfunding platform authorized by Spain's market regulator (the CNMV), or take a direct stake in a young company and, if you pay income tax in Spain, possibly claim a tax deduction. Before you choose, keep one thing in mind: when you invest in a startup, you can lose everything you put in. No deposit guarantee covers you, and your money can stay locked up for years with no easy way to sell.

This guide is about investing as an individual, not as a fund. If you want the bigger picture of who finances young companies in Spain, read our full guide to who funds startups in Spain.

What are the three ways to invest in a Valencia startup?

How do you become a business angel in Valencia?

A business angel is a private person who puts their own money into an early-stage company, usually in exchange for shares. Most angels in Spain don't work alone: they invest through networks that filter the projects and set up pitch sessions where several investors hear the same founders at once. That saves you from sourcing and vetting every deal by yourself.

Your general entry point is AEBAN (Asociación Española de Business Angels Networks), the umbrella association for Spain's business angel networks. Its website, aeban.es, is where you can find the networks that operate across the country.

In Valencia itself, the most visible hub is Marina de Empresas, the business ecosystem on the port that houses the Lanzadera accelerator, founded by Juan Roig. Spending time around Marina de Empresas events is a practical way to meet local founders and investors. The Angels fund, linked to Juan Roig, is also part of the Valencian venture capital scene.

How much does a business angel invest? There's no public benchmark for a typical ticket. It depends on the investor, the network and the deal. Ask each network directly about its minimums, fees and how it shares deals with members.

Want to see which local companies have actually raised money, and from whom? Our observatory of Valencia startup funding rounds tracks them.

How do you invest in equity crowdfunding legally?

Since November 2023, any crowdfunding platform operating in Spain must be authorized as a PSFP (Proveedor de Servicios de Financiación Participativa) under the EU's ECSP Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2020/1503. In Spain, these platforms are supervised by the CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores).

Is there still a 3,000 euro limit per project?

No. You may still read about it online, but that rule is outdated. Spain's previous crowdfunding law (Ley 5/2015) capped non-qualified investors at 3,000 euros per project and 10,000 euros per year. The EU regulation replaced those fixed caps with a different protection system (articles 21 and 22), which has no hard blocking cap.

What protections apply to you now?

• A knowledge test before your first investment. The platform assesses your experience, your objectives and whether you understand the risks: possible total loss, no deposit guarantee, illiquidity.
• A loss simulation. If you are a non-sophisticated investor, the platform has you simulate your ability to bear losses.
• A warning threshold, not a cap. If you want to invest more than 1,000 euros or 5% of your net worth (whichever is higher) in a project, the platform must give you an explicit risk warning and get your express consent. You can go above that threshold, but only after being clearly warned.
• A 4-calendar-day reflection period. Before the investment offer becomes final, you have 4 calendar days to change your mind, with no penalty.

Which platforms are authorized?

Platforms identified as authorized PSFPs in our research include Capital Cell, Crowdcube España and Startupxplore. The list changes over time, so always check it yourself before investing: the CNMV publishes the official register of authorized PSFPs on cnmv.es. If a platform isn't on that list, don't invest through it.

What tax benefits exist for an individual investor?

If you are a Spanish tax resident, you pay Spanish income tax (IRPF), and Spain's income tax law (Ley 35/2006) includes a deduction for investing in a newly or recently created company. The Startup Act (Ley 28/2022, published in the BOE on 22 December 2022, reference BOE-A-2022-21739) expanded it: the maximum deduction base went up to 100,000 euros per year, from 60,000 euros before the reform.

What about the deduction rate? The national rate is 50% of the amount invested, with a maximum deduction base of 100,000 euros per year, since the Startup Act (Ley 28/2022) took effect on 1 January 2023 (before that date, the rate was 30% with a 60,000 euro base, which is where the older figures still in circulation come from). Source: Agencia Tributaria, "Deducción por inversión en empresas de nueva o reciente creación" (sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es, updated 16 March 2026). In the Comunitat Valenciana, a separate regional deduction also applies: 30% (capped at 6,600 euros), rising to 45% (capped at 15,000 euros) for certain innovative SMEs, including "empresas emergentes" certified by the Comunitat Valenciana (Decreto Ley 14/2025, of 26 December 2025). This is a distinct mechanism and can be combined with the national deduction.

What conditions generally apply?

These are general conditions, which you should confirm point by point with the law and a tax adviser:

• The company must not be listed on a regulated market.
• You must hold your stake for a minimum number of years, generally somewhere between 3 and 12 years depending on the scheme. Check the exact period that applies to you.
• Certain ties to the company, such as a paid management role, may disqualify you under specific rules.

Does the startup need ENISA certification?

Don't confuse two separate things. The ENISA "empresa emergente" certification applies to the company, not to you as an investor. A startup certified by ENISA is often a good sign, but whether certification matters for your deduction needs case-by-case verification with a tax adviser.

If you are not a Spanish tax resident, this IRPF deduction is not designed for you. Ask a tax adviser how your investment will be taxed in your own situation, both in Spain and in your country of residence.

Other routes: venture debt and corporate venture capital

Venture debt means lending money to a startup instead of taking shares. It's still an early-stage market in Spain; Claret Capital Partners is one example cited in our research.

Corporate venture capital is when large companies invest directly in startups. Examples include Wayra (Telefónica), BBVA Spark and Mouro Capital (Santander). These are mostly ways to understand who else is at the table, rather than routes open to you as an individual.

To see how all these players fit into the local scene, read our guide to startups and tech in Valencia.

What depends on your personal situation?

A lot. Whether you can claim a deduction, how much it's worth, how gains or losses will be taxed when you sell, and which country gets to tax them all depend on where you are tax resident, your income, your net worth and your link to the company. This article gives you general information, not personalized advice. Before you sign anything, check with a tax adviser who knows your situation, and only invest money you can afford to lose entirely and leave untouched for years.

Frequently asked questions

Can I lose all the money I invest in a startup?

Yes. Startups can fail, and if they do, your shares can be worth nothing. No deposit guarantee covers this kind of investment.

Can I sell my startup shares whenever I want?

Usually not. Startup shares are illiquid: there's often no market to sell them on, and you may have to wait years for a sale of the company or a new funding round.

Is there a maximum I can invest through crowdfunding in Spain?

Under Regulation (EU) 2020/1503 there's no hard blocking cap. Above 1,000 euros or 5% of your net worth (whichever is higher) per project, the platform must warn you explicitly and get your express consent. The old caps of 3,000 euros per project and 10,000 euros per year no longer apply.

How do I check that a crowdfunding platform is legal?

Look it up in the official register of authorized PSFPs on cnmv.es. Only invest through platforms that appear there.

Do I need to live in Spain to invest in a Valencia startup?

Not necessarily to invest, but the IRPF tax deduction is meant for people who pay Spanish income tax. If you live elsewhere, ask a tax adviser how your investment will be taxed.

How much is the Spanish tax deduction for investing in startups?

50% of the amount invested, with a maximum deduction base of 100,000 euros per year, since Ley 28/2022 took effect on 1 January 2023. Source: Agencia Tributaria (sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es, updated 16 March 2026). In the Comunitat Valenciana, a separate regional deduction (30%, up to 45% for certain innovative SMEs) applies on top of the national one.

Where do I start if I want to become a business angel?

AEBAN (aeban.es) lists Spain's business angel networks. In Valencia, the Marina de Empresas ecosystem, home to Lanzadera, is another way to meet local founders and investors.

Is ENISA certification required for the tax deduction?

Don't assume it is. ENISA certification applies to the company, not the investor. Whether it affects your deduction needs case-by-case verification with a tax adviser.

General information, updated 04/10/2026. It does not replace personalized advice.