BIND
BIND is a Basque Government-backed open innovation platform operated by SPRI that connects technology startups with corporates, SMEs, and public sector organizations across the Basque industrial ecosystem through paid venture client programs, with no cost or equity taken from startups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBilbao, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What BIND does
BIND Basque Open Innovation Platform is a government-backed open innovation and venture client intermediary operated by SPRI (Sociedad para la Transformación Competitiva), the Basque Government's economic development agency. Founded around 2015 and headquartered in the Basque Country, Spain, BIND connects technology startups with corporates, SMEs, and public sector organizations across the Basque industrial ecosystem through three structured programs: the Open Innovation Programme (pairing startups with Basque companies and SMEs as paid venture clients), BIND GovTech (focusing on public sector digital transformation challenges), and Venture Clients Services for Corporates (a dedicated track for enterprise buyers). Startups receive paid smart industry projects, develop proofs of concept for market validation, and gain access to a network of 100+ industry-leading venture clients at no cost and with no equity taken.
The platform itself is not a technology product company in the conventional SaaS sense — its core deliverable is program orchestration and curated matchmaking between supply (startups across multiple countries of origin) and demand (Basque industrial firms and government buyers). Supporting infrastructure includes a digital presence at bind.spri.eus, a partner network spanning the three Basque provincial BICs, the Diputación Foral councils, the HAZI rural development foundation, a Venture Club, mentors, and technological partners. The platform reports 10 years of operating history, multiple completed projects across sectors (robotics, Industry 4.0, circular economy, immersive tech, food), international recognition, and named alumni startups including Recircular, Immersia, Alias Robotics, Keynetic, Flythings Technologies, ii40 Services, and Xardexka.
Commercially, BIND does not charge startups for participation and takes no equity; it is funded directly by the Basque Government through SPRI rather than through venture capital, private equity, or commercial revenue from startup fees. The entity is therefore best understood as a public-sector innovation policy instrument and regional economic development program rather than a venture-backed commercial company, and accordingly it has no disclosed funding rounds, no revenue figures, and no traditional ownership structure beyond its parent agency.
BIND firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BIND
- Legal name
- BIND Basque Open Innovation Platform
- Website
- https://bindplatform.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BIND is a Basque Government-backed open innovation platform operated by SPRI that connects technology startups with corporates, SMEs, and public sector organizations across the Basque industrial ecosystem through paid venture client programs, with no cost or equity taken from startups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where BIND is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bilbao
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BIND business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Platform Services (Free for Startups): BIND operates as a free platform for participating startups, funded by Basque Government through SPRI. The platform connects startups with venture clients (corporates, SMEs, public sector) who pay for project implementations, but BIND itself does not charge startups for participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free participation for all qualifying startups |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
BIND product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BIND operates as the Basque Open Innovation Platform, connecting tech startups with corporates, SMEs, and public sector organizations in the Basque industrial ecosystem. It runs structured programs (Open Innovation and GovTech) that enable startups to receive paid smart industry projects, develop proofs of concept for market validation, and access 100+ industry-leading venture clients. The platform is operated by SPRI (Basque Government's development agency) and is offered free of charge to participating startups with no equity taken.
Product overview
BIND is a platform connecting tech startups with venture clients across the Basque ecosystem. The platform operates three core programmes: the Open Innovation Programme (connecting startups with Basque companies and SMEs as Venture Clients), GovTech (connecting startups with public sector organizations for digital transformation), and Venture Client Services for Corporates. The platform provides startups with paid project opportunities, proof of concept development for market validation, and access to 100+ industry-leading venture clients, with no cost and no equity taken.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BIND Open Innovation Programme: Program connecting startups with Basque companies and SMEs as Venture Clients for proof of concept and market validation projects.
- BIND GovTech
Products and services
- BIND Open Innovation Programme A program connecting tech startups with established Basque companies and SMEs as Venture Clients, enabling startups to implement disruptive solutions, receive paid smart industry projects, and develop proofs of concept for market validation.
- BIND GovTech A program enabling startups to collaborate with public sector organizations in digital transformation challenges, addressing public sector modernization and digital government initiatives.
- Venture Client Services for Corporates Services enabling enterprises to engage with startups as venture clients, providing access to disruptive technologies and innovative solutions to address specific business challenges and digital transformation needs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Access to 100+ venture clients
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BIND
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BIND technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BIND partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SPRI / Basque GovernmentcoreSPRI (Sociedad para la Transformación Competitiva) is the Basque Government Development Agency that designs and promotes BIND. As the founding entity, SPRI provides funding, strategic direction, and government backing for the platform.
- BIC Araba-Álava (Business Innovation Center)coreBusiness Innovation Center supporting startups in the Álava province, collaborating with BIND as part of the Basque innovation ecosystem network.
- BIC Bizkaia (Business Innovation Center)coreBusiness Innovation Center in Bizkaia province, part of the collaborative network supporting BIND's startup ecosystem development.
- BIC Gipuzkoa (Business Innovation Center)coreBusiness Innovation Center in Gipuzkoa province, collaborating with BIND on startup support and ecosystem development.
- Diputación Foral de BizkaiaminorProvincial Council of Bizkaia collaborating with BIND in support of regional innovation and business development initiatives.
- Diputación Foral de GipuzkoaminorProvincial Council of Gipuzkoa supporting BIND's activities in the eastern Basque Country region.
- HAZIminorHAZI Foundation supporting rural and coastal development in the Basque Country, collaborating with BIND on broader innovation initiatives.
- Venture Clients (Corporates & SMEs)core100+ industry-leading corporates and SMEs that serve as venture clients, engaging with startups through BIND programs to implement innovative solutions. These include companies like Xardexka and other established Basque enterprises.
- MentorscoreExpert mentors providing guidance, feedback, and real-life experience to startups participating in BIND programs.
- Technological PartnerscoreTechnology partners providing technical expertise, integration capabilities, and technological support to BIND startups and programs.
- Venture ClubminorNetwork of venture-focused members and organizations supporting BIND's mission to connect startups with corporate innovation needs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BIND competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub supporting startups and connecting them with corporate and government partners. Comparable to BIND in its public/private partnership model and venture client matching mission.
- Techstars: World's largest pre-seed investor and accelerator, connecting startups with mentor networks and corporate partners. Comparable to BIND in structured cohort programs and corporate matchmaking, though equity-based and globally distributed.
- Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global open innovation and venture client platform, operating startup acceleration hubs and connecting corporates with startup solutions across multiple geographies. Highly comparable to BIND as a corporate/government-backed venture client model, though at greater global scale.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: One of the world's largest open innovation platforms, running industry-specific accelerator programs and connecting startups with corporate partners. Directly comparable to BIND's venture client matching model, with a much larger global footprint.
- Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network running vertical-specific programs with corporate partners. Comparable to BIND in delivering structured startup-to-enterprise programs, but equity-taking and commercially funded rather than government-backed.
- MassChallenge: Global non-profit accelerator with zero-equity model partnering with corporations and governments to support early-stage startups. Closest peer to BIND on the no-equity, partnership-funded model, though operating at much larger international scale.
Regional players
- Station F: World's largest startup campus in Paris, hosting accelerator programs and corporate venture client initiatives. Comparable as a hub for open innovation but operates as an infrastructure/host rather than direct venture client matcher.
Broad incumbents
- BNP Paribas' Startup Programs: Major bank running corporate venture client and accelerator initiatives connecting fintech and enterprise startups with internal BNP Paribas business units. Comparable as a corporate-driven venture client model but operates within a single large enterprise rather than a regional ecosystem.
Others
- Catapult Network (Innovate UK): UK government-backed network of technology and innovation centers supporting startups and corporates. Comparable as a government-funded innovation intermediary, though structurally focused on R&D capability rather than venture client matching.
- EIT Digital: European digital innovation network funded by the EU, supporting deep tech startups and connecting them with corporate and public-sector clients. Comparable ecosystem-builder role and EU institutional backing, though focused more on deep tech venture creation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BIND social profiles
Digital presenceBIND financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BIND leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
BIND funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BIND M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments10 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BIND
What does BIND do?
BIND operates as the Basque Open Innovation Platform, connecting tech startups with corporates, SMEs, and public sector organizations in the Basque industrial ecosystem. It runs structured programs (Open Innovation and GovTech) that enable startups to receive paid smart industry projects, develop proofs of concept for market validation, and access 100+ industry-leading venture clients. The platform is operated by SPRI (Basque Government's development agency) and is offered free of charge to participating startups with no equity taken.
Is BIND a public or private company?
BIND is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was BIND founded?
BIND was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BIND based?
BIND is headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does BIND make money?
One revenue line is on record: platform Services (Free for Startups).
Who are BIND's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MaRS Discovery District, Techstars, Wayra (Telefónica), Plug and Play Tech Center, Startupbootcamp and MassChallenge. Station F is listed as a regional player. BNP Paribas' Startup Programs is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Catapult Network (Innovate UK) and EIT Digital.
Does BIND have an API?
No public API is recorded for BIND.