IMPACT Accelerator

What IMPACT Accelerator does

IMPACT Accelerator (also marketed as ISDI Accelerator) is a publicly funded startup acceleration program founded in 2014 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, operated by Internetsia S.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ISDI (Instituto Superior para el Desarrollo de Internet). The program runs multiple specialized verticals, including IMPACT Connected Car (connected vehicles, partnered with Groupe PSA and FIA), IMPACT Growth (smart content, smart cities, smart agrifood, smart manufacturing), IMPACT RobotUnion (robotics), IMPACT EOI AceleraStartups (regional Spanish programs), UNICEF Lab (social impact, co-run with UNICEF Comité Español), and Ignite-LDR. Since inception, IMPACT has accelerated 154 startups from 64 countries and distributed approximately €45 million in equity-free funding, with those startups subsequently raising €183 million in follow-on capital. The accelerator has been ranked World Top 5 Public Business Accelerator by UBI Global (2019-2020) and Top 10 Global Accelerator by Gust (2016).

The accelerator delivers its programs through an "Open Acceleration" model supported by its proprietary AcceleraTHOR platform, which enables delocalized, remote participation so that startups do not have to relocate to access mentorship and corporate piloting opportunities. Programs combine equity-free grants (€60,000 to €250,000 per startup depending on the track), curated mentoring from a network of 140+ international mentors drawn from companies such as Google, Airbnb, Booking.com, Tesla, and LinkedIn, training bootcamps in Madrid, Copenhagen, and Barcelona, and demo days at events including 4YFN and Mobile World Congress. Unlike traditional venture accelerators, IMPACT does not take equity in accelerated startups.

IMPACT's revenue model is grant-centric rather than equity-centric. Primary capital flows from the European Commission via Horizon 2020 / INNOSUP grant instruments, supplemented by program management fees from corporate partners such as Ferrovial, Danone, PSA Group, FIA, DOCOMO Digital, MADE, Toyota Motor Europe, and UNICEF, who co-design verticals and provide pilot opportunities. Secondary revenue comes from Corporate Innovation Labs engagements (intra-entrepreneurship workshops, internal innovation programs) and co-branded competitions such as the Toyota Startup Awards. With a stated headcount of 1-10 employees, the entity operates as a lean program-management and platform layer atop public funding and corporate sponsorship.

Name

IMPACT Accelerator

Legal name

Instituto Superior para el Desarrollo de Internet (ISDI)

Website

https://impact-accelerator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IMPACT Accelerator (ISDI Accelerator) is a Madrid-based, publicly funded startup accelerator that runs multiple vertical programs (Connected Car, Growth, RobotUnion, UNICEF Lab) offering equity-free grants of €60k–€250k, delocalized mentorship via its AcceleraTHOR platform, and corporate piloting with partners including Ferrovial, Danone, PSA, FIA, Toyota, and UNICEF.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Acceleration Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration services
• Equity-free grant programs
• Corporate innovation partnerships
• Vertical accelerator programs
• Mentorship and venture readiness

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Distribution: IMPACT Accelerator operates as a publicly funded accelerator that distributes equity-free grants to startups. Funding comes from European Commission Horizon 2020 programs and other public sources. The accelerator does not take equity in exchange for funding, making it distinct from traditional venture capital models.
2. Program Management Services: ISDI Accelerator provides acceleration program design and management services to corporate partners seeking innovation pipelines, including UNICEF for social impact projects and Toyota for mobility initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IMPACT Accelerator is a publicly funded startup accelerator that runs multiple specialized, equity-free acceleration programs for early-stage and growth-stage startups across verticals including connected vehicles, robotics, smart cities, smart agrifood, smart content, and smart manufacturing. Selected startups receive equity-free grant funding (ranging from €60k to €250k depending on the program), intensive mentorship from a network of 100+ international executives, training bootcamps, corporate piloting opportunities with partner firms such as Ferrovial, Danone, Groupe PSA, and FIA, and Demo Day exposure at major international events. Programs are delivered through a delocalized remote model supported by the proprietary AcceleraTHOR platform, and the accelerator also designs and manages bespoke corporate innovation programs for partners including UNICEF and Toyota.

Product overview

IMPACT Accelerator (also known as ISDI Accelerator) is a startup acceleration platform that offers multiple specialized programs. The core portfolio includes: IMPACT EOI AceleraStartups (regional subsidized programs), IMPACT Connected Car (automotive/mobility), IMPACT Growth (growth-stage startups), IMPACT RobotUnion (robotics), UNICEF Lab (social impact), and Ignite-LDR. The platform also provides Corporate Innovation Labs services and uses its proprietary AcceleraTHOR software for delocalized program delivery. All programs offer equity-free funding ranging from €60k to €250k, mentoring from a network of 100+ international mentors, training bootcamps, and Demo Day investor access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMPACT Connected Car: Mobility and connected vehicle startup acceleration program
• IMPACT Growth
• IMPACT RobotUnion
• IMPACT EOI AceleraStartups
• Ignite-LDR
• UNICEF Lab
• AcceleraThor
• Toyota Startup Awards

Products and services

• IMPACT EOI AceleraStartups 5-month, 100% subsidized regional acceleration program for startups in Spain across Madrid, Catalunya, mobility, and telco verticals, providing 40 hours of mentoring, networking, and access to funding.
• IMPACT Connected Car Acceleration program for startups in the connected vehicle space offering up to €60k equity-free funding across six verticals: safety and security, driver assistance, well-being, mobility management, vehicle management, and infotainment.
• IMPACT Growth Growth-stage startup acceleration program offering up to €250k equity-free funding across four verticals: Smart Content, Smart Cities, Smart Agrifood, and Smart Manufacturing, plus access to Kibo Ventures private investment up to €1.5M.
• IMPACT RobotUnion Robotics sector acceleration program offering up to €223k equity-free funding across five verticals within the robotics industry.
• UNICEF Lab Social impact accelerator for projects focused on children in Spanish-speaking countries, offering up to €50,000 in funding, 3-month acceleration, mentorship, and Demo Day. Joint initiative with UNICEF Comité Español and ISDI.
• Ignite-LDR Startup acceleration program offered by IMPACT Accelerator for startups in Spain.
• Softlanding in Spain Pre-acceleration program helping international startups expand into the Spanish and European market, covering business culture, regulation, fundraising, and ecosystem integration with mentor matching.
• Corporate Innovation Labs Open Acceleration services helping corporations develop internal innovation initiatives, plans, workshops, and intra-entrepreneurship programs.
• Toyota Startup Awards Pitching competition for inclusive mobility startups run with Toyota Motor Europe, offering exhibition at 4YFN Barcelona and a fast track to the Toyota Accelerator Program powered by ISDI Accelerator for winners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 154 startups accelerated from 64 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FundingBoxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014FundingBox serves as coordinator for multiple IMPACT programs including IMPACT Growth and IMPACT Connected Car. The platform connects startups with tech-related communities and public funding opportunities.
• ISDIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISDI (Instituto Superior para el Desarrollo de Internet) is the parent company and founding entity of ISDI Accelerator. ISDI is a digital business school providing entrepreneurial training and channeling the entrepreneurial interest of its students into the accelerator programs.
• AcceleracecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccelerace, one of the top investors and accelerators from Northern Europe, co-leads the IMPACT Growth acceleration program alongside ISDI, providing mentorship and investment expertise.
• FIWARE FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides open-source Cloud-based FIWARE technology integration support for startups, enabling development of smart solutions. IMPACT programs include specialized FIWARE training with global experts.
• Mobile World Capital BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports IMPACT programs by featuring startups at world-class international events including 4YFN (Four Years From Now), the startup business platform of Mobile World Capital Barcelona.
• Ferrovial ServicioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading corporate partner for Smart Cities and Infrastructures vertical. Provides corporate coaching, pilot program opportunities, and industry expertise to accelerated startups.
• DanonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner leading the Smart Agrifood vertical, providing domain expertise, mentorship, and potential pilot programs for agricultural technology startups.
• DOCOMO DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner leading the Smart Content vertical, offering expertise in digital content, telecommunications, and media for content-focused startups.
• MADEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish corporate partner leading the Smart Manufacturing vertical, providing industry expertise and manufacturing innovation pathways for startups.
• Groupe PSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor automotive corporation providing corporate coaching and technical validation for IMPACT Connected Car startups in the connected vehicle space.
• FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal automobile federation providing consumer perspective expertise, mobility policy insights, and industry connections for connected car and mobility startups.
• CTAGcoreTechnology or IntegrationAutomotive Technology Center of Galicia providing technical coaching and validation for IMPACT Connected Car startups, specializing in connected vehicle technologies.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF Lab is a social impact accelerator created with UNICEF Comité Español and ISDI Accelerator, focused on finding innovative solutions for childhood challenges in Spain and Latin America, offering up to €50,000 in direct funding.
• Toyota Motor EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota Motor Europe partnered with ISDI Accelerator to launch the Toyota Startup Awards, seeking innovative mobility solutions for inclusive mobility, accessibility, and disruptive mobility at 4YFN Barcelona.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IMPACT_acc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIOQoA-ZfMxthBICI1hlDww
• Facebookfacebook.com/impactacc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/impact-accelerator

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments116 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IMPACT Accelerator