At BIND, innovative companies and startups grow together through collaboration
BIND is an open innovation platform providing connection and advisory services to foster collaboration between startups from around the world and internationally recognised companies based in the Basque Country. Its mission is to promote the transformation, sustainability and competitiveness of the Basque industrial fabric.
“10 successful editions with over 275 accelerated startups, 100 Venture Client companies and more than 400 projects developed.”
10 editions of open innovation in numbers
0
participating startups
0
projects developed
0
industry-leading companies
+ 0 M€
in total turnover generated
0%
of startups secure a second contract
Disruptive Startups
If you have developed a solution capable of transforming the industry of tomorrow and want to grow within one of Europe’s leading industrial and innovation ecosystems, this is your place.
We are looking for tech startups from around the world to develop projects and accelerate innovation within companies in the Basque Country.
Companies
Open innovation through startups is an agile and proven path to industrial innovation. If you want to improve your company’s digitalisation, increase process efficiency and sustainability, and strengthen competitiveness, this programme offers access to cutting-edge technologies, success stories from your ecosystem, and expert guidance to identify the most suitable solutions for your business.
If you are a Startup,
you can...
Connect with the smart industry innovation ecosystem: gain access to leading companies based in the Basque Country and participate in networking activities within the open innovation ecosystem.
Win your first clients: validate your innovative technology alongside top industry players and test its market viability through the Venture Client model. Every participant secures one or more contracts.
Expert advice: access guidance from more than 40 mentors specialising in business acceleration, go-to-market strategies for smart industry technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Access investors, funding opportunities, financial support and workspace within the Basque Country’s Business and Innovation Centres (BICs).
Unlock a unique opportunity for validation and accelerated growth: through proofs of concept (PoCs) and market validation, demonstrate the potential of your technologies while accessing a network of 100 Venture Client companies. You will also benefit from an acceleration programme featuring strategic support, high-impact mentoring and specialist workshops to strengthen your business. With real pilot projects, investor connections and direct immersion in industry — while retaining ownership of your technology and incurring no participation costs — this is the boost your startup needs to scale further.
If you are an innovative company,
you can...
Stay connected to open innovation and Venture Clienting: through dedicated activities and events, you will discover successful sector case studies relevant to your business, exchange experiences and benchmark knowledge with peers.
Access startup scouting and analysis: gain access to a platform where you can identify validated disruptive technologies and discover startups capable of increasing the competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability of your operations.
Source best-in-class technologies: the BIND team will help you identify the technologies your business needs and connect you with the startups best suited to collaborate through the Venture Client model.
Boost competitiveness: integrate pioneering solutions into your company, developed by innovative startups and tailored to your processes in an agile and personalised way.
Access training and capacity building: participate in workshops designed to support your company’s open innovation strategy and ensure successful collaboration with startups.
11th Edition Use Cases
BIND’s network of more than 100 partner companies is currently in the process of identifying priority use cases to collaborate with startups.
Examples of use cases highlighted in previous editions include:
- Digitalisation and traceability of industrial processes
- Automation and robotics for industrial environments
- Information management, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance
- Predictive maintenance and industrial quality control
- Logistics optimisation and smart supply chain management
- Connected and electrified mobility
- Measurement, reduction and offsetting of environmental impact
- Energy efficiency and intelligent consumption management
- Renewable energy generation and storage
- Circular economy and sustainable resource and waste management
To learn more about upcoming use cases, get in touch.
How it works
BIND is part of the wider platform of the same name, designed to help startups access the market through reference clients within the Basque industrial ecosystem. Its goal is to develop disruptive projects powered by emerging technologies to improve business competitiveness.
Programme Stages
1_
Call for startups
July - September
Applications open for startups from around the world to submit their candidatures and showcase disruptive technological solutions for collaboration with industrial clients
2_
Participant shortlisting
September - March
Startups shortlisted by the BIND coordination team present their solutions to companies during pitch sessions. Those advancing to the next stage become finalists and, between November and March, must secure at least one contract with a partner company. During this period, BIND also facilitates an in-person B2B session to support and accelerate collaboration opportunities.
3_
Immersion programme andproject development launch
April - July
Startups that secure one or more contracts receive three months of free support services, including expert mentoring, networking with the Basque industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and investor connections. At the same time, they begin developing projects alongside their partner companies.
4_
Call for new venture client companies
April - May
Registration period for Basque companies interested in collaborating with startups from around the world through the Venture Client model.
5_
Project showcase
July
BIND’s annual flagship event brings together the industrial, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, showcasing projects developed by startups in collaboration with partner companies.
A program of international reference
Since 2016, BIND has been an internationally recognised open innovation platform created by the Basque Government and the SPRI Group to support industrial transformation, competitiveness and sustainability through collaboration with startups offering cutting-edge technological solutions.
The platform ensures the development of innovative business projects through pioneering, tailored technologies while also providing advisory services and training to maximise the benefits of open innovation and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
6 reasons to join BIND
- Become part of the largest open innovation network
- Connect with leading smart industry companies and startups
- Learn how to innovate alongside established businesses
- Validate your technology with flagship clients
- Access best-in-class market technologies
- Receive expert support and training in innovation
Solve your doubts
Loading...
Questions?
IndustrIA guides you with clear, tailored information for your company.
Ask now.
We are looking for tech startups from around the world and companies in the Basque Country interested in developing open innovation projects
If you are a disruptive startup or a company interested in this initiative, complete the form below.
Accelerating innovation through collaboration between organisations and startups
BIND is the public-private smart industry open innovation platform created by the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability together with the SPRI Group. Today, it collaborates with more than 100 leading industry companies based in the Basque Country, acting as Venture Clients.
The initiative was launched with a triple objective:
- Accelerate startup growth within the Basque industrial ecosystem
- Promote business digital transformation
- Position the Basque Country as a hub for advanced industrial entrepreneurship
Since 2016, BIND has supported 275 startups, developed more than 400 projects, and generated over €10 million in turnover.
BIND currently includes two initiatives designed to address emerging technological challenges:
- BIND: Open innovation between Basque companies and startups, combined with immersion in the Basque industrial ecosystem.
- BIND Govtech: Open innovation technology challenges connecting public entities and startups. Full information here.