mentorDay
mentorDay is a Spain-based non-profit online startup accelerator that runs free monthly acceleration programs paired with a 1,000+ volunteer mentor network, serving early-stage entrepreneurs, SMEs, cybersecurity startups, and vulnerable populations across 40 countries via public-sector grants and procurement contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSanta Cruz De Tenerife, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What mentorDay does
mentorDay (legal name: Asociación mentorDay, CIF G76683515) is a private, independent non-profit association founded on 17 July 2015 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, that operates a 100% free online startup accelerator delivered through monthly intake cycles. The organization serves early-stage entrepreneurs, SMEs seeking innovation, and specific cohorts including cybersecurity startups (via CiberEmprende with INCIBE), vulnerable populations, and tourism-sector businesses (via Hotel Social+), pairing participants with a volunteer network of 1,000+ mentors drawn from companies, universities and public administrations. Since inception mentorDay claims to have accelerated 3,000+ companies across 40 countries through 100+ programs, with 129 mentoring pairs and 120 webinars delivered in 2023 alone.
The platform architecture centers on a self-serve online enrollment flow (mentorday.es), an authenticated private area for participants, and a layered toolkit that includes the monthly Programa de Aceleración, specialized verticals (CiberEmprende, África 150, Empleo Verde, Hotel Social+), and supplementary tools such as WikiTips (5,340+ searchable tips), practical webinars, mentorVIRTUAL (an AI chatbot assistant), mentorAdvisor, MentorPerks, and monthly international networking events featuring 160+ ecosystem personalities. AI features are layered on top: mentorVIRTUAL handles conversational Q&A, while mentorIA-INNOVA and mentorIA-GRADO-INNOVA target innovation identification and grading. Methodology has been refined over 30+ years and validated by independent rankings (UBI Global Top 5 private accelerators 2021-2022; Funcas Top 3 nationally in 2025).
The business model is grant- and procurement-funded rather than fee-based: all programs are free to entrepreneurs, and revenue is derived from public-sector contracts and subsidies including INCIBE (€959,659.90 for 2024-2026), Fundación EOI (~€297,000 across 2022-2025), CIDIHUB (combined €203,597.60 across 2021-2028), Red CIDE / FEDER Canarias (~€203,700), PROEXCA (€67,020) and Fundación Endesa (€108,000). The organization was declared of Public Utility by the Spanish government on 26 October 2023, and is led on a pro bono basis by President/Treasurer/Secretary Jaime Cavero and Vocal Joaquín Cruchaga, with operational staff covering project management, communications and program coordination.
mentorDay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- mentorDay
- Legal name
- Asociación mentorDay
- Website
- https://mentorday.es
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- mentorDay is a Spain-based non-profit online startup accelerator that runs free monthly acceleration programs paired with a 1,000+ volunteer mentor network, serving early-stage entrepreneurs, SMEs, cybersecurity startups, and vulnerable populations across 40 countries via public-sector grants and procurement contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
mentorDay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Acceleration Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)
Keywords
Where mentorDay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Cruz De Tenerife
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
mentorDay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Public grants and subsidies: As a non-profit association, mentorDay operates primarily through public funding from government entities including INCIBE (959,659.90€ for CiberEmprende 2024-2026), CIDIHUB (87,397.60€ for 2026-2028), EOI Foundation, Canary Islands government, and European funds (FEDER, FSE+)
- EU-funded project participation: Participation in European Digital Innovation Hubs and regional innovation networks funded by EU structural funds
- Free services to entrepreneurs: All programs are completely free for entrepreneurs; revenue comes from institutional funding, not from participants
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free online acceleration program for all entrepreneurs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
mentorDay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
mentorDay runs a 100% free, fully online startup acceleration program conducted monthly, connecting early-stage entrepreneurs with a network of more than 1,000 volunteer mentors. Participants gain access to financing, visibility, business angels, expert advice, networking, competency development, sales support, and twelve months of post-program accompaniment. The core offering is supplemented by specialized vertical programs (cybersecurity via CiberEmprende/INCIBE, green employment, Africa-focused acceleration), an AI assistant (mentorVIRTUAL), a 5,340+ tip knowledge base (WikiTips), mentor accreditation, and events such as DemoDay.
Product overview
mentorDay operates as a multi-product accelerator platform offering a portfolio of acceleration programs and support services. The core offering is the monthly online Acceleration Program (Programa de Aceleración mentorDay), supplemented by specialized programs including CiberEmprende (cybersecurity), Africa-focused acceleration, and Green Employment Promotion. The platform is augmented by an AI-powered assistant (mentorVIRTUAL), knowledge resources (WikiTips with 5,340+ tips), practical webinars, international networking events, and the Hotel Social+ tourism initiative. Additional services include mentor accreditation, a Business Angels school, and the Red CIDE/CIDIHUB innovation networks. The entire ecosystem is supported by a community of 1,000+ volunteer mentors and operates completely free for entrepreneurs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Programa de Aceleración mentorDay
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,000+ companies accelerated across 100+ programs in 40 countries
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use mentorDay
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
mentorDay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
mentorDay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Fundación OryonmajorStrategic collaboration for comprehensive entrepreneur support: Oryon refers entrepreneurs ready for acceleration, mentorDay provides programs; Oryon mentors can earn accreditation; joint startup scouting for Oryon investment thesis; mentorDay can refer entrepreneurs needing career guidance to Oryon.
- European Digital Innovation Hub - CIDIHUBcoreCIDIHUB 2.0 contract (2026-2028) worth 87,397.60€ positioning mentorDay as part of Europe's digital innovation network. Previous CIDIHUB 1.0 (2021-2025) was valued at 116,200.00€. MentorDay participates as digital innovation hub supporting AI, innovation, and SME digitalization in Canary Islands.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciberseguridad (INCIBE)coreINCIBE awarded mentorDay a 959,659.90€ contract for Development of the INCIBE Emprende program (30 months: January 2024 - June 2026), promoting cybersecurity entrepreneurship through the CiberEmprende initiative with 183 registered participants and 30 completing the acceleration phase.
- Red CIDE (Red Canaria de Centros de Innovación y Desarrollo Empresarial)coreMentorDay participates in Red CIDE co-financed by FEDER Canarias (2021-2027, 146,580€; 2026 subsidy 57,120€). The network connects Canary Islands innovation centers supporting SME digitalization and business innovation.
- Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Industriales de Canarias Oriental (COIICO)minor2022 collaboration agreement for promoting TIC technology adoption by Canary Islands companies, executed by mentorDay-COIICO.
- Fundación Pfizerminor2021 collaboration for promoting entrepreneurship at Innomakers4Health event, executed by mentorDay.
- BANGE Business Schoolminor2021 agreement for free online acceleration program delivery, 6-week duration, executed by mentorDay.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
mentorDay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lanzadera: Lanzadera is Spain's largest private startup accelerator, founded by Juan Roig (Mercadona) in Marina de Valencia. Directly comparable as a Spanish-language accelerator providing structured acceleration programs, mentoring, and financing access, though it is corporate-backed and equity-taking versus mentorDay's non-profit model.
- Wayra: Wayra is Telefónica's global corporate accelerator operating in 10+ countries with strong Spain/LATAM presence. It runs structured acceleration programs providing mentoring, financing, and ecosystem access, directly overlapping with mentorDay's offering but backed by a Fortune 500 corporate parent.
- SeedRocket: SeedRocket is a Barcelona-based early-stage Spanish startup accelerator founded by prominent entrepreneurs. Comparable as a Spanish accelerator providing mentorship, networking, and investment readiness, though it operates as a private for-profit entity.
- Demium Startups: Demium is a Spain-based startup builder and accelerator network operating across multiple Spanish cities. Directly comparable as it offers acceleration programs, founder mentoring, and pre-seed investment, but with a for-profit venture builder structure rather than non-profit.
- Antai Venture Builder: Antai Ventures is a Barcelona-based venture builder and e-commerce/tech startup accelerator. Comparable as a Spanish accelerator providing startup creation methodology and mentorship, with a digital-first approach overlapping with mentorDay's online model.
- CEEI Castellón: CEEI Castellón is a Spanish business innovation center that was ranked alongside mentorDay in the Funcas 2025 Top 3 nationally for mentoring programs. Directly comparable as a Spanish regional entity providing acceleration, mentoring, and SME support services to entrepreneurs.
- Tetuan Valley: Tetuan Valley is a Madrid-based Spanish startup community and pre-accelerator. Comparable as a Spanish-language startup support organization providing community, mentorship, and early-stage acceleration, with a focus on tech entrepreneurs similar to mentorDay's audience.
- BFAero: BFAero is a Spanish aerospace-focused accelerator ranked alongside mentorDay in Funcas 2025. Comparable as a Spanish vertical accelerator providing structured programs and mentoring, with specialization in aerospace versus mentorDay's broader entrepreneurship focus.
Broad incumbents
- Startupbootcamp: Startupbootcamp is a global accelerator network with presence in 10+ countries running industry-specific programs (FinTech, HealthTech, etc.). Comparable as it provides structured acceleration, mentorship, and corporate partner access, but operates as a much larger for-profit corporate-backed program.
- Impact Hub Network: Impact Hub is a global network of innovation communities and incubators operating in 100+ locations. Comparable as it provides entrepreneurship acceleration, mentorship, and community support with a global footprint, though it operates as a broader coworking and innovation space rather than a focused accelerator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
mentorDay social profiles
Digital presencementorDay compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
mentorDay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
mentorDay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
mentorDay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
mentorDay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about mentorDay
What does mentorDay do?
mentorDay runs a 100% free, fully online startup acceleration program conducted monthly, connecting early-stage entrepreneurs with a network of more than 1,000 volunteer mentors. Participants gain access to financing, visibility, business angels, expert advice, networking, competency development, sales support, and twelve months of post-program accompaniment. The core offering is supplemented by specialized vertical programs (cybersecurity via CiberEmprende/INCIBE, green employment, Africa-focused acceleration), an AI assistant (mentorVIRTUAL), a 5,340+ tip knowledge base (WikiTips), mentor accreditation, and events such as DemoDay.
Is mentorDay a public or private company?
mentorDay is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was mentorDay founded?
mentorDay was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is mentorDay based?
mentorDay is headquartered in Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does mentorDay make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public grants and subsidies are the primary driver. The others are EU-funded project participation and free services to entrepreneurs.
Who are mentorDay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lanzadera, Wayra, SeedRocket, Demium Startups, Antai Venture Builder, CEEI Castellón, Tetuan Valley and BFAero. Broad incumbents are Startupbootcamp and Impact Hub Network.
Does mentorDay have an API?
No public API is recorded for mentorDay.
What industry is mentorDay in?
mentorDay's product category is Startup Acceleration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of EDAMAHAA, Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics. Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 8200.