Cybersecure Startups: How was the first program with INCIBE?
How did this initiative come about?
Merchandise from the First Edition of the INCIBEemprende Incubation Program
Two years ago, at Tetuan Valley, we began our journey by collaborating with the Women4Cyber Association on a program aimed at female startup leaders. This program, known as the Women4Cyber Startup School , has already accelerated 14 startups and continues to grow each year.
During that time, various startups in the sector alerted us to the crucial importance of cybersecurity, not only on a personal level but also for the security of their own companies. A revealing incident occurred in early 2023, when one of these startups suffered an attack on its digital assets, resulting in the theft of its customers' information.
At the same time, we detected interest from established companies that saw working with cybersecurity startups as an opportunity to foster innovation, contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and protect themselves from these increasingly common threats.
At Tetuan Valley , observing this landscape, we realized that in an increasingly digitalized world, cybersecurity has become essential for digital trust and data protection. This constantly evolving field is full of challenges and opportunities.
Recognizing the critical importance of this sector and its impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this collaboration with INCIBE Emprende was born. This institution aims to support entrepreneurs seeking to excel in the fascinating world of cybersecurity.
Edition I of the Incubation Program
With the aim of promoting the creation of cybersecurity projects in Spain, at Tetuan Valley we began to collaborate with INCIBE - National Institute of Cybersecurity and launching a new Incubation Program within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, INCIBE is allocating Generation Next funds to boost the national cybersecurity industry and encourage the emergence, growth, and development of companies in this sector.
The INCIBEemprende Incubation Program is a training program that incubates 20 early-stage entrepreneurial projects. Through mentoring, connections with ecosystem stakeholders, special training, and site visits, program participants develop their knowledge and enhance their learning to bring their ideas to life and launch their first project.
A total of 80 teams applied, and only 20 projects were selected to participate in this adventure. Participating projects include:
Albante - Online platform for designing personalized trips.
Bunji - An app that connects the world travel community.
Ricols - Consulting firm providing support for preclinical biotechnology.
CortexAi - A tool designed to act as a co-pilot for professionals throughout the research process.
Delffos - A platform created with the goal of promoting the creation of successful events by integrating key players and fostering professional relationships and mutual benefits.
eComerland - A marketplace for renewable energy surfaces that connects owners with renewable energy developers.
Diveinside - a prevention and early detection tool for wellness management in schools.
EscandaYou - Marketplace to connect suppliers and customers.
Fluentia - A tool to assist businesses and employees by automating monotonous and repetitive tasks, such as downloading invoices and sorting emails, among other low-value-added activities.
Happy Mind Me - A platform that helps identify limiting beliefs in people with specific mental health issues and helps them address them in an accessible and affordable way.
InnovaJorney (EVA) - Advanced assistant designed to transform the customer service experience in the tourism sector through AI.
Litra - A layer-0 protocol that enables the creation of parameterized blockchains, with a special emphasis on security. It includes several services, including the "Digital Notary."
Orizon Cloud - Personal storage device that offers a secure alternative to conventional cloud services, allowing users to store and access their data privately from anywhere.
RacconSet - A platform that allows you to digitize and simplify the processes and resources used in audiovisual production.
Resizes - Software lifecycle accelerator with DevOps and Platform Engineering solutions designed for companies of any size looking to revolutionize their technology ecosystems.
Soundraiser - A platform with the digital tools artists need to amplify their music, connect with audiences, and make a living from what they love.
The Creator Guard - Managed cybersecurity services for entrepreneurs.
Uniofy - Mass document processing platform using AI, extracting the relevant data based on the required legal document, and assembling the document for subsequent submission to the client's platform.
UrbanGy - An innovative system that contributes to urban sustainability and energy efficiency by transforming the kinetic energy of cars into electricity and using piezoelectric devices installed on roads.
Zona Agraria - A platform connecting farmers, enthusiasts, and experts in the agricultural sector.
In order to learn more about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and allow participating teams to promote networking and their professional development, they visited and connected with Google for Startups Madrid , MIDE - Madrid Innovation Driven Ecosystem , Female Startup Leaders (FSL) , La Nave Nodriza , South Summit , Patio Campus , Wayra and Area 101 .
Photo of all the participants and mentors of the First Edition of the Incubation Program: INCIBEemprende
Edition I of the Incubation Program
To celebrate the closing of this program, we organized Demo Day. At the beginning of the event, Agustina Milanini and Nazareth Rodrigáñez welcomed and introduced the attendees to the program, and Mª del Pilar de Cos Glez-Taladriz spoke about INCIBE's initiatives.
After listening to the pitches of the 10 finalists, the jury, which consisted of Ana Álvarez (Draper B1), Carlos Hernando (Secretary of the Tetuan Valley Association), Lorena Ionescu (Founder of Bytehide) and Mª del Pilar de Cos Glez-Taladriz had to make the final decision on which projects would win. While the jury was deciding, Carlos Hernández Martín spoke about "What Happens After an Incubation?" and highlighted the value of the Tetuan Valley community and the significant role it played in his life.
Finally, the winners were:
Soundriser (3rd place)
Diveinside (2nd place)
and Resizes (1st place)
Photo of the 3 winning teams and the jury.
Interesting metrics and data
It's been very exciting to see how the projects have evolved over these past two months and how much each team has grown. It's been an unforgettable and invaluable experience for us, as reflected in some of the metrics below:
Tetuan Valley is the first of the 35 INCIBEemprende collaborating entities to close an Incubation Program;
80 teams applied to the program;
20 teams have been selected;
10 finalists and 3 winners;
The attendance rate has exceeded 85%;
There were 23 frontline trainers and more than 30 mentors;
7 Pitch & Feedback sessions;
More than 70 hours of intensive training over two months;
4 participating teams focused on cybersecurity;
But the most important fact is that of the 20 projects that participated in the program, all emerged more cybersecure and stronger. We are very pleased with how the program went, as it has set a very high level of expectations for future editions.
In addition, we will soon launch a new call for proposals, this time for the Acceleration Program and also in collaboration with INCIBE… We want to strengthen the industry and position Spain as an international leader in cybersecurity.
Get ready for what's coming and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!
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