CEEI Castellón
CEEI Castellón is a non-profit European Business and Innovation Centre, founded 1998, providing incubation, acceleration (Órbita program), investor networking (Club de Inversión Órbita), and digital transformation advisory to startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in the Spanish province of Castellón.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersCastellón, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CEEI Castellón does
CEEI Castellón (Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovación de Castellón) is a non-profit European Business and Innovation Centre founded in 1998 in Castelló de la Plana, Spain, serving entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, self-employed professionals, and vocational training actors across the province of Castellón. It operates under the institutional umbrella of IVACE (Institut Valencià de Competitivitat Empresarial) and the Diputación de Castellón, with co-financing from FEDER, Red.es, INCIBE, and NextGenerationEU funds, and is part of the Red CEEI Comunitat Valenciana and the pan-European EBN/EU-BIC network.
The organization's core infrastructure combines a physical business incubator (Vivero de Empresas with 22 modules and 6 boxes totaling over 2,500 m²), the Órbita acceleration program (selecting 10 startups per cohort with 100,000 EUR equity-free funding), and the Club de Inversión Órbita — a managed co-investment network of 60+ private investors that has executed 13 investments totalling over 1 million EUR, with an 84.5% survival rate across the portfolio. Complementary offerings include the Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP) for free digital transformation advisory to SMEs, the Tech FabLab technology access programme (450+ participants, 20+ supported companies), the EIBT certification service for innovative technology-based companies, and a comprehensive calls-for-proposals platform.
The business model is fundamentally publicly funded: core services to entrepreneurs and SMEs are delivered free at point of use, with operations subsidised through IVACE annual operational plans and FEDER co-financing. CEEI Castellón generates limited fee-based revenue from select professional training programmes (e.g., the AI Applied to Marketing & Sales programme at 6,400 EUR per participant, delivered in partnership with ESIC and the local Chamber of Commerce). Performance signals include a 97% success rate on financing operations submitted to IVF, over 5.4 million EUR channelled to 38 companies, and external validation through the Financial Times European startup hubs ranking (8th in Spain, 80th in Europe) and the Funcas 2026 accelerator ranking (4th nationally).
CEEI Castellón firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CEEI Castellón
- Legal name
- Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovación de Castellón (CEEI Castellón)
- Website
- https://ceeicastellon.emprenemjunts.es
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CEEI Castellón is a non-profit European Business and Innovation Centre, founded 1998, providing incubation, acceleration (Órbita program), investor networking (Club de Inversión Órbita), and digital transformation advisory to startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in the Spanish province of Castellón.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where CEEI Castellón is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Castellón
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CEEI Castellón business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Public institutional funding: Core operations funded by IVACE (Institut Valencià de Competitivitat Empresarial), IVF (Institut Valencià de Finances), Red.es, INCIBE, IDAE, and EU co-financing through FEDER. Services to entrepreneurs and SMEs are free at point of delivery.
- Program fees (Professional training): Revenue from professional training programs such as the AI Applied to Marketing and Sales program (priced at 6,400 EUR), delivered in partnership with ESIC and the Cámara Oficial de Comercio.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | AI Applied to Marketing and Sales Program - 6,400 EUR per participant |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
CEEI Castellón product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CEEI Castellón is a European Business and Innovation Centre (EU-BIC) that supports entrepreneurs and SMEs in the province of Castellón through an integrated ecosystem of services. The organization provides physical business incubation (Vivero de Empresas with 22 modules across 2,500 m²), startup acceleration through the Órbita program, investment facilitation via the Club de Inversión Órbita, free digital transformation advisory through the Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP), technology access via Tech FabLab, EIBT certification support, and ecosystem connection through events and territorial agents.
Product overview
CEEI Castellón operates as a European Business and Innovation Centre (EU-BIC) offering an integrated ecosystem of services for entrepreneurs and SMEs in the province of Castellón. The core portfolio centers on physical incubation (Vivero de Empresas with 22 modules across 2,500 m²), the Órbita acceleration program selecting 10 startups per edition, and the Órbita Investment Club connecting private investors with pre-seed companies. Complementary offerings include the Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP) for digital transformation advisory, Tech FabLab for technological innovation, a resources platform with guides and tools, the EIBT certification service for tech-based companies, and a comprehensive calls-for-proposals system. All services are coordinated under the EmprenemJunts network and supported by IVACE, EBN, and EU FEDER funding.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Órbita: Aceleradora de startups impulsada por CEEI Castellón y respaldada por la Diputación de Castellón
- Club de Inversión Órbita
- Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP)
Products and services
- Vivero de Empresas CEEI Castellón Business incubator offering 22 modules and 6 boxes with surfaces between 13 and 200 m², plus shared workspace covering over 2,500 m² total. Includes common areas such as meeting rooms, auditorium, formation rooms, reception, 2 cafeterias, showers, parking for bicycles, recycling area, HVAC, mail service, copier, and high-speed Wi-Fi for startups and early-stage ventures.
- Programa Órbita Accelerator program powered by CEEI Castellón and backed by the Castellón Provincial Council. Each edition selects and accompanies 10 nationally outstanding startups, providing personalized mentoring, direct connection to the investor ecosystem, and access to 100,000 EUR equity-free funding.
- Club de Inversión Órbita Co-investment network managed by CEEI Castellón that connects private investors with pre-seed startups. Since 2018, it has facilitated 13 investments totaling over 1 million euros across 60+ partners, with 84.5% survival rate of invested startups.
- Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP) Free personalized advisory service for SMEs, freelancers and entrepreneurs in Castellón province to incorporate digital tools, focusing on digital transformation through individual advice, group sessions, workshops, networking, and information on public aid programs.
- Tech FabLab Technology fabrication laboratory that brings technological innovation to vocational training students, startups, growing companies, management teams and corporations, with over 450 participants and more than 20 companies supported across the Valencian Community.
- Sello EIBT Certification Service Certification service for innovative technology-based companies. CEEI Castellón accompanies companies in preparing and processing applications for the ANCES association's EIBT seal, providing prestige and credibility with investors, institutions and potential partners.
- Professional Training Programs (AI Applied to Marketing and Sales) Professional training program covering AI Generativa, marketing automation, content generation, SEO, campaigns, social media, analytics, and email marketing applications in business contexts. Priced at 6,400 EUR per participant, delivered in-person over approximately three months.
- Programa de Fortalecimiento de Agentes Program for strengthening ecosystem agents including territorial groups, focus events, and training sessions for agents who help entrepreneurs and businesses refocus their projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5.4 million EUR in financing channelled to 38 innovative companies with a 97% success rate
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use CEEI Castellón
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CEEI Castellón technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
CEEI Castellón partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IVACE (Institut Valencià de Competitivitat Empresarial)corePrimary institutional partner providing core co-financing for CEEI Castellón's annual operational plans. IVACE is the regional government body responsible for competitiveness and innovation policy in the Valencian Community.
- Red CEEI Comunitat ValencianacoreCEEI Castellón is one of four regional CEEIs (alongside CEEI Elche, CEEI Alcoy, and CEEI Valencia) forming the Red CEEI Comunitat Valenciana. The network enables knowledge sharing, joint programme delivery, and cross-territory reach.
- EBN (European Business and Innovation Centre Network)coreCEEI Castellón holds EU-BIC quality certification from EBN, connecting it to over 180 European business and innovation centres. EBN provides methodology, benchmarking, and international visibility.
- Red.es (Entidad Pública Empresarial)coreRed.es is the Spanish public entity driving digital transformation. Through this partnership, CEEI Castellón operates the Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP), providing free digital transformation advisory to SMEs and entrepreneurs in the province.
- INCIBE (Instituto Nacional de Ciberseguridad)minorCEEI Castellón is a collaborating entity in the INCIBE Emprende programme (National Cybersecurity Industry Support Programme), co-funded by EU NextGenerationEU. Through this partnership, CEEI offers cybersecurity workshops and advisory for entrepreneurs.
- SEIMED / Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)minorSEIMED is the Valencian Community consortium of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), facilitating cross-border technology transfer, partnership search, and internationalisation support for SMEs.
- ANCES (Asociación Nacional de CEEIs)coreANCES is the National Association of CEEIs in Spain. CEEI Castellón participates in ANCES Open Innovation programmes and facilitates the EIBT (Empresa Innovadora de Base Tecnológica) seal certification through ANCES.
- ESIC Business & Marketing SchoolminorESIC co-organises professional training programmes with CEEI Castellón, including the Programa Superior de Inteligencia Artificial Aplicada a Marketing y Ventas. ESIC provides academic content and faculty.
- Cámara Oficial de Comercio, Industria y Navegación de CastellónminorThe Castellón Chamber of Commerce co-organises professional training programmes with CEEI Castellón, supporting business skills development and entrepreneurship education.
- Asociación de Empresas Tecnológicas de Castellón (ASETEC)minorASETEC co-organises professional training programmes with CEEI Castellón, contributing technology sector expertise and business network connections.
- Fundación Santa María la RealminorFoundation coordinating the European SOS (Should I Stay or Should I Go) project in Spain, which focuses on rural youth participation and territorial development. CEEI Castellón disseminates and supports the initiative.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CEEI Castellón competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Barcelona Activa: Barcelona municipal development agency operating incubation, acceleration, training and public funding advisory for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Comparable as a publicly funded, integrated innovation services provider, though serving a denser urban market.
- Lanzadera: Juan Roig / Marina de Empresas accelerator based in Valencia, running multiple acceleration programmes (Lanzadera, Garaje, Growth) with significantly larger cheque sizes. Broad incumbent serving the same Valencian founder pool with deeper private capital and a larger portfolio.
- Wayra (Telefónica Open Innovation): Corporate accelerator of Telefónica operating across Spain and Latin America with larger equity-free tickets, corporate venture tie-ins, and a global mentor pool. Comparable as a Spanish accelerator competing for the same early-stage dealflow.
Direct peers
- CEEI Elche: Fellow member of the Red CEEI Comunitat Valenciana, providing incubation, acceleration and EU-BIC services in the Elche/Mediterranean axis. Directly comparable as a public-backed innovation centre with the same funding stack and methodology.
- CEEI Alcoy: Fourth member of the Red CEEI Comunitat Valenciana, focused on industrial and textile innovation in the inland Alcoy corridor. Directly comparable as an EBN-certified, IVACE/FEDER-funded CEEI offering incubation and SME digitalisation services.
- CEEI Valencia: Sister CEEI within the Red CEEI Comunitat Valenciana network, offering the same integrated incubation, acceleration, OAP and investment club model in Valencia province. Direct peer because it operates under identical IVACE/FEDER co-financing and EBN framework, targeting the same regional entrepreneur base.
- SeedRocket: Barcelona-based private accelerator and pre-seed fund running cohort-based programmes with mentor and investor networks. Directly comparable to the Órbita programme in cohort format, equity-free funding, and target startup profile.
Others
- ANCES (Asociación Nacional de CEEIs): National association of CEEIs in Spain, through which CEEI Castellón delivers the EIBT seal and Open Innovation programmes. Comparable as the umbrella body defining CEEI quality standards and cross-territory programming.
- IVF (Institut Valencià de Finances): Valencian regional development finance institution and CEEI Castellón's principal financial partner since the 2020 accreditation as intermediary. Comparable as the source of the 5.4M+ EUR co-investment line, but is a public financier rather than an incubator.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) - SEIMED: European network for SME internationalisation and technology transfer; CEEI Castellón participates via the SEIMED Valencian consortium. Comparable as an ecosystem-level partner providing cross-border dealflow and EU visibility.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CEEI Castellón social profiles
Digital presenceCEEI Castellón compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
CEEI Castellón financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CEEI Castellón leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CEEI Castellón funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CEEI Castellón 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 CEEI Castellón
What does CEEI Castellón do?
CEEI Castellón is a European Business and Innovation Centre (EU-BIC) that supports entrepreneurs and SMEs in the province of Castellón through an integrated ecosystem of services. The organization provides physical business incubation (Vivero de Empresas with 22 modules across 2,500 m²), startup acceleration through the Órbita program, investment facilitation via the Club de Inversión Órbita, free digital transformation advisory through the Oficina Acelera Pyme (OAP), technology access via Tech FabLab, EIBT certification support, and ecosystem connection through events and territorial agents.
Is CEEI Castellón a public or private company?
CEEI Castellón is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CEEI Castellón founded?
CEEI Castellón was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CEEI Castellón based?
CEEI Castellón is headquartered in Castellón, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does CEEI Castellón make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Public institutional funding is the primary driver. The others are program fees (Professional training).
Who are CEEI Castellón's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Barcelona Activa, Lanzadera and Wayra (Telefónica Open Innovation). Direct peers are CEEI Elche, CEEI Alcoy, CEEI Valencia and SeedRocket. Others are ANCES (Asociación Nacional de CEEIs), IVF (Institut Valencià de Finances) and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) - SEIMED.
Does CEEI Castellón have an API?
No public API is recorded for CEEI Castellón.