BerriUp

What BerriUp does

BerriUp is a Basque Country-based startup accelerator founded in 2015 and legally constituted as BERRIUP, S.L. (NIF B75138594). Its core offering is a 4-month acceleration program for pre-seed and seed-stage startups that combines personalized mentoring from a network of 40+ mentors, business model validation, and structured connections to investors and corporate customers. Selected startups receive a minimum €50,000 investment from the affiliated Easo Ventures fund and gain access to preferential debt financing through Rural Kutxa's Inicia Line; participation is free for startups, with the program financed through corporate innovation services and partner contributions rather than startup fees.

The business model is anchored by two professional-services revenue streams: (i) the acceleration program itself, delivered through open calls (currently in the XXI Convocatoria) executed independently or with co-organizers such as Rural Kutxa, Artizarra Fundazioa, Universidad de Deusto, and research centers like CIC nanoGUNE, and (ii) corporate innovation services spanning open innovation, intrapreneurship, strategic orientation, project financing facilitation via Basque Article 64 bis tax incentives, and challenge-based programs such as the Baskonia Alavés Startup Challenge. Specialized programs (Global Graphene Call, BATEA executive search, spin-off launch services) extend the platform into deeptech, leadership recruitment, and corporate-university spin-offs.

Over 11 years the firm has executed 21 own acceleration calls plus 5 external programs, accelerated 44 startups across energy, environment, industrial, healthcare, automotive, and software verticals with a reported >50% survival rate, evaluated more than 2,000 project applications, delivered over 200 training workshops, and is credited with creating more than 200 jobs in portfolio companies. Headcount is in the 11-50 range across offices in Donostia-San Sebastián and Bilbao. Recognition includes Funcas rankings (#1 in the Basque Country and #3 in Spain in 2026, #1 in mentoring programs) and inclusion in the Financial Times top 180 European startup hubs. Cumulative capital deployed via Easo Ventures exceeds €3 million. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

BerriUp

Legal name

BERRIUP, S.L.

Website

https://berriup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BerriUp is a Basque Country startup accelerator running 4-month cohorts for pre-seed and seed startups, providing mentoring, a minimum €50,000 investment via its affiliated Easo Ventures fund, and corporate open-innovation services to regional institutions and corporations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Acceleration Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed) (FSANAAAA)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration services
• Corporate innovation programs
• Early-stage venture mentoring
• Seed-stage startup investment
• Open innovation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Donostia-san Sebastián

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Acceleration Program Services: BerriUp provides acceleration program services to startups, connecting them with mentors, investment opportunities through Easo Ventures (minimum €50,000), and preferential financing through Rural Kutxa's Inicia Line. The program includes 4 months of training, mentoring from 40+ mentors, business validation, and access to the startup ecosystem.
2. Corporate Innovation Services: BerriUp offers open innovation services for corporations including internal and external startup solutions (scouting and collaboration), intrapreneurship training, strategic orientation, project financing (Corporate Venture, Article 64 bis), and challenge identification. These services help corporations innovate through collaboration with startups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BerriUp runs a 4-month startup acceleration program for pre-seed and seed-stage startups, providing access to a curated network of 40+ first-tier mentors, personalized training, business model validation, and seed financing starting at €50,000 through its associated Easo Ventures fund, plus preferential financing through Rural Kutxa's Inicia Line for Entrepreneurs. For corporate clients, it delivers open innovation services (startup scouting, collaboration, intrapreneurship training), strategic innovation consulting, and ecosystem-connection services, complemented by specialized programs such as the Baskonia Alavés Startup Challenge and the Global Graphene Call.

Product overview

BerriUp is a Basque startup accelerator offering a multi-module platform centered on its core Aceleración de Startups program. The platform combines personalized mentoring, strategic investment support, and access to financing (via Easo Ventures and Rural Kutxa) with a suite of corporate innovation services including Open Innovation (Innovación Abierta), Corporate Strategy and Investment (Estrategia e Inversión), Intra-entrepreneurship (Intraemprendimiento), and Startup Ecosystem connection (Ecosistema Startups). Supplementary offerings include Funding Tools (Herramientas de Financiación) for non-dilutive R&D financing via Basque tax incentives, specialized programs like the Baskonia Alavés Startup Challenge for sports tech and the Global Graphene Call for nanotechnology ventures, and periodic acceleration calls (Convocatorias) run independently or with partners such as Rural Kutxa, Artizarra Fundazioa, and Universidad de Deusto. The portfolio showcases 44+ accelerated startups across diverse sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programa de Aceleración de Startups (Startup Acceleration Program) Core acceleration program for early-stage (pre-seed and seed) startups providing personalized mentoring from a network of 40+ first-tier mentors, 4 months of training, business model validation, scalability development, and access to seed financing starting at €50,000 from Easo Ventures plus preferential financing through Rural Kutxa's Inicia Line for Entrepreneurs. Selected startups also receive access to corporate connections, coworking resources, and follow-on funding pathways.
• Innovación Abierta (Open Innovation) Open innovation service for corporations, generating synergies between established companies and emerging technologies to improve business processes; includes startup scouting, collaboration programs with startups, and intra-entrepreneurship training. Designed for large enterprises seeking to access external innovation.
• Estrategia e Inversión (Strategy and Investment Advisory) Strategic advisory service offering continuous accompaniment, strategy development, and investment readiness support for both startups preparing for funding rounds and corporations evaluating innovation investments. Targets founders, executives, and corporate innovation teams.
• Intraemprendimiento (Intrapreneurship Program) Intra-entrepreneurship program and innovative corporate culture development service that helps established organizations build entrepreneurial capabilities internally, foster innovation from within, and develop innovation talent. Designed for corporations seeking to strengthen internal innovation capacity.
• Ecosistema Startups (Startup Ecosystem Connection) Ecosystem-connection service that links startups with corporations, investors, and the broader Basque entrepreneurial network, providing market access, networking events, and introductions. Targeted at both startup founders seeking customers/partners and corporations seeking innovation partners.
• Herramientas de Financiación (Article 64 bis Non-Dilutive Financing Tools) Funding facilitation service connecting R&D+i projects in Araba, Bizkaia, or Gipuzkoa with companies through Basque regional tax incentive mechanisms (Article 64 bis), channeling non-dilutive financing to innovative projects. Targets startups and SMEs with eligible R&D activities in the Basque Country.
• Baskonia Alavés Startup Challenge Specialized sports-technology acceleration program co-organized with Grupo Baskonia Alavés and Provincial Council of Álava, targeting startups with solutions applicable to sports, entertainment, intelligent mobility, fan experience, and sustainable sporting events in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The program seeks to transform the sports ecosystem into a smart sports district. Targeted at technology startups addressing sports-sector innovation challenges.
• Global Graphene Call International acceleration call for startups leveraging graphene technology, co-organized with CIC nanoGUNE (Basque nanoscience research center), Graphenea (graphene producer), Fomento de San Sebastián, and BIC Gipuzkoa. Winners receive 4 months of customized acceleration, access to Graphenea's advanced graphene materials, and use of CIC nanoGUNE facilities. Targeted at materials-science and deeptech startups.
• Convocatoria Rural Kutxa – Universidad de Deusto (Joint Acceleration Call) Joint acceleration call co-organized with Rural Kutxa and Universidad de Deusto (through its Deusto Emprende unit), offering startups mentorship from 40+ mentors, seed investment from €50,000 via Easo Ventures, networking with corporations, business validation, and access to physical coworking workspace in Deusto facilities. Targeted at early-stage startups with university/research connections.
• Spin-off Launch Program Spin-off launch service that supports technology-based spin-offs originating from corporations, universities, and technology centers; covers identification of technology projects with growth potential, acceleration program participation, shareholder structure design, funding pathway identification, and CEO/team recruitment (in partnership with BATEA). Targeted at research institutions and corporations seeking to commercialize internal technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44 startups accelerated with >50% survival rate (above market average)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Grupo Baskonia AlavéscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Grupo Baskonia Alavés launched a Startup Challenge initiative with BerriUp in collaboration with Provincial Council of Álava, Easo Ventures, and BIC Araba. The program aims to transform the sports ecosystem into a smart sports district in Vitoria-Gasteiz, seeking technology startups to validate products in real-world sports, entertainment, and sporting events environments.
• Artizarra FundazioacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Artizarra Fundazioa is a non-profit foundation created by professionals and businessmen from Basque Country and Navarra to support economic and social development. They collaborate for the third time with BerriUp, contributing to entrepreneurship promotion, investment initiatives for new innovative companies, and long-term sustainability of enterprises.
• BATEAsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025BATEA is a talent search and selection consultancy that partnered with BerriUp for identifying profiles to lead technology-based companies with high growth potential. The collaboration supports BerriUp's spin-off launching process from corporations, universities, and technology centers.
• Universidad de DeustocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2025Universidad de Deusto participates for the second time through its Deusto Emprende unit, providing startup access to coworking spaces, training programs, personalized accompaniment, and activities organized by Deusto Emprende to strengthen entrepreneurial trajectories.
• BIC ArabasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Innovation Centre Araba provides support as an entrepreneurship center to facilitate the landing of selected projects in the territory, offering resources and programs for innovative project development.
• Provincial Council of BizkaiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated as a sponsor of the XXI Convocatoria final event, demonstrating commitment to positioning Bizkaia as a territory supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
• BAT B Accelerator TowersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAT B Accelerator Tower in Bilbao serves as venue for BerriUp acceleration events and acts as a meeting point between startups, companies, and investors to drive new projects and growth opportunities.
• CIC nanoGUNEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC nanoGUNE is the Basque research center for nanoscience that co-launched the Global Graphene Call with BerriUp, Graphenea, Fomento de San Sebastián, and BIC Gipuzkoa. The initiative seeks revolutionary ideas leveraging graphene's potential in industrial and technological applications.
• GrapheneacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphenea, a graphene production company and nanoGUNE spin-off, co-organizes the Global Graphene Call with BerriUp. They provide advanced graphene materials to winning startups for developing graphene-based applications.
• Fomento de San SebastiánsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFomento de San Sebastián is the municipal development agency that co-organizes the Global Graphene Call. They provide technological bonuses and access to EKINN innovation center services for startups establishing in San Sebastián.
• BIC GipuzkoasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIC Gipuzkoa provides winning startups of the Global Graphene Call access to specialized services, experts, community, industry connections, training, mentorship, financing, and advanced laboratory facilities through the Ekintzaile-Txekintek program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global corporate venture and accelerator arm operating multiple hubs including Spain; offers equity investment, mentoring, and corporate access to startups — comparable in structure though backed by a large telco.
• Lanzadera: Valencia-based startup accelerator backed by Juan Roig; runs equity-free acceleration programs for Spanish early-stage founders with mentoring, training, and seed investment — directly comparable to BerriUp's model.
• SeedRocket: Barcelona-based startup accelerator providing seed investment, mentoring, and demo-day exposure to early-stage Spanish startups — competes for the same applicant pool as BerriUp.
• TheVentureCity: Miami/Madrid-based growth accelerator providing capital, mentoring, and corporate partnerships to tech startups — overlaps with BerriUp in Spanish deal sourcing and corporate-services orientation.
• Bbooster Ventures: Madrid-based early-stage accelerator and micro-VC running multiple cohorts per year with equity investment and mentoring — comparable program design and target segment to BerriUp.
• Demium Startups: European early-stage talent-led accelerator with presence in Spain; identifies and incubates founders from scratch with seed investment, mirroring BerriUp's pre-seed focus.
• Conector Startup Accelerator: Barcelona-based accelerator offering 4-month programs, mentoring, and seed investment to early-stage startups in Spain; similar cohort cadence and structure to BerriUp.

Emerging players

• Eatable Adventures: Madrid-based food-tech-focused accelerator and venture builder — comparable accelerator mechanics but specialized in a single vertical; relevant for benchmarking verticalized accelerator models like BerriUp's Global Graphene Call.

Others

• SODENA: Navarra regional development agency providing equity financing to startups; serves as a complementary financier alongside BerriUp's programs for Navarra-based founders rather than a direct accelerator competitor.

Regional players

• BIC Bizkaia: Public business innovation center in Bizkaia supporting entrepreneurship; collaborates with BerriUp on programs (e.g., Baskonia Alavés Startup Challenge) and is a regional alternative for Basque startups.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@berriupaceleradoradestartu1061
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berriup
• Instagraminstagram.com/berriup
• Xx.com/berriup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments21 records

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

Frequently asked questions about BerriUp