ICEX-Invest in Spain and IDB Lab, in collaboration with Endeavor Spain, are launching the fourth edition of Spain-Latam Scale-UP, a programme designed to boost the growth and expansion of Latin American startups in the Spanish and European markets.

The objective of Spain-Latam Scale-UP is to promote the implementation and investment of these tech startups and scaleups in Spain as a gateway to the European market. The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the connection between the entrepreneurial ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain. The call for applications is now open until 31 May 2025 and applications can be made via this link.

To participate, companies from Latin America and the Caribbean must demonstrate their interest in expanding into the Spanish and European markets, as well as having a sufficient level of maturity to face the internationalisation process with guarantees. After the selection process, between 15 and 17 startups will be chosen to participate in the programme from 12 to 21 October in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

Spain-Latam Scale-UP stands out for offering a complete immersion programme for the selected startups, connecting them with key players in the Spanish entrepreneurship ecosystem. Throughout the programme, participating companies will have access to top-level contacts and strategic information to facilitate their establishment in Spain.

In previous editions, the winning startups have held meetings with over 40 actors in the Spanish entrepreneurship ecosystem, including financial institutions, venture capital (VC) funds, corporations with open innovation processes and established startups in Spain originating from both  Spain and Latin America. 

The programme combines technical sessions, working meetings, institutional meetings and networking activities. They will address aspects like startup financing in Spain, access to Spanish private equity funds, financing opportunities offered by the EU, legal and tax requirements for setting up in the country, visas for entrepreneurs, and opportunities for collaborating in Spanish companies’ open innovation activities.

The programme does in addition set up bilateral meetings with the main Spanish corporations’ open innovation departments, as well as offering legal advice for incorporating startups.

During the 2024 edition, 14 Latin American startups were selected out of 300 applications. The companies, from nine countries, reflect the region’s diversity and have the financial and innovative capacity to corner the Spanish and European markets. Moreover, half of them are already established or have started operating in Spain.

About ICEX-Invest in Spain
ICEX's Invest in Spain Executive Directorate is responsible for promoting, attracting and encouraging foreign investment in Spain, as well as reinvestment by foreign companies already established in the country. It also performs activities to position Spain as a global platform for international business and investment. Another area of action for ICEX-Invest in Spain relates to improving the business climate in Spain in continuous dialogue with other ministerial departments and with business associations and companies established in Spain, both Spanish and foreign-owned ones. www.investinspain.org.

About IDB Lab
IDB Lab is the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. We find new ways to boost social inclusion, environmental action and productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Lab leverages funding, knowledge and connections to support early-stage entrepreneurship, develop new technologies, boost innovative markets and energise existing industries. www.bidlab.org.

About Endeavor
Endeavor is the world's leading community of High-Impact Entrepreneurs, which was founded in 1997. Endeavor is a global organisation promoting economic, social and cultural transformation by selecting, supporting and investing in the growth of the world's best entrepreneurs and their scale-ups. Nowadays, the Endeavor network spans over 40 countries and supports over 2,300 entrepreneurs, whose companies generate total revenues of over USD 42 billion, have created over 3.4 million jobs and, by 2021, have raised over USD 12.3 billion in capital. Its unique model of putting the entrepreneur and a trusted network first provides a platform for entrepreneurs to dream big, scale up and reinvest their experience as mentors in the next generation of entrepreneurs www.endeavor.org.es.