Design Institute of Spain (D!OS)

What Design Institute of Spain (D!OS) does

Design Institute of Spain (D!OS) is a privately held professional membership organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Madrid, structured as DESIGN INSTITUTE OF SPAIN 2019 S.L. The institute positions itself as the institutional voice and principal representative of the Spanish design industry, serving three primary segments: individual design professionals (designers, architects, interior designers), design-related companies and brands (manufacturers, studios, agencies such as Artemide, Cosentino, Bernadí, Delta Light, and Interstuhl), and public institutions seeking industry collaboration. It operates with a small core team of 9 employees, supporting over 60 sponsor and member organizations across Spain and internationally.

D!OS's core offerings are non-software: a subscription community platform called El Círculo (hosted on third-party Circle.so), a premium Business Club tier, an editorial thought-leadership platform called 'Palabra de D!OS', a calendar of design events and award programming, and a 2026-launched D!OS Retail Design vertical. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight — no proprietary models, AI features, or APIs are developed in-house; the institute relies on Squarespace for its public web, Circle for community management, and standard social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook) for distribution.

The business model is subscription- and sponsorship-driven. Members pay recurring annual fees to access El Círculo, with an enhanced Business Club tier for premium networking. Revenue is supplemented by sponsor contributions from 60+ institutional partners and by partnership-driven events (Madrid Design Festival, Mayrit Biennale, Medellín Design Fair, NEB Sur encounters). The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on thought leadership content, international partnership channels (Spanish-Danish Chamber of Commerce, Business France, Vetrinisti & Visual Europei), and co-branded programming to attract new members. The organization is GDPR-compliant and registered with the Spanish Data Protection Agency, but discloses no revenue, funding, or external ownership.

Name

Design Institute of Spain (D!OS)

Legal name

DESIGN INSTITUTE OF SPAIN 2019 S.L.

Website

https://designinstitute.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Design Institute of Spain (D!OS) is a Madrid-based, membership-driven professional institute founded in 2019 that serves as the institutional voice of the Spanish design industry, connecting designers, design companies, and public institutions through events, partnerships, and the El Círculo subscription community platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHACAK

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

SECONDARYBPAHAKAL

Exhibition, Retail & Experiential Design

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Architecture, Design & Planning Services

SECONDARYMPAGAGAK

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Conventions & Conferences (Business Events)

Keywords

• Design industry advocacy
• Professional design membership
• Design culture networking
• Design event programming
• Design editorial platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: D!OS operates a membership program called 'El Círculo' hosted on Circle platform. Members pay subscription fees for access to the community, networking benefits, and exclusive content. The membership includes different tiers such as Business Club.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Design Institute of Spain (D!OS) is a membership-based professional institute that serves as the institutional voice and primary representative of the design industry in Spain. It sells annual memberships (El Círculo) hosted on the Circle community platform, a premium Business Club tier, sponsorships, and event/editorial programming, connecting design professionals, companies, brands, and public institutions through networking, visibility, and international partnership initiatives.

Product overview

Design Institute of Spain (D!OS) operates as a design culture and business networking organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of a community platform (El Círculo), an editorial content platform (Palabra de D!OS), event programming, and a premium Business Club tier. The institute connects designers, companies, and institutions through collaborative platforms and organizes events, awards, and design festivals. D!OS Retail Design represents a specialized vertical focused on retail design, while various collaborative platforms extend the ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• El Círculo del Design Institute of Spain
• D!OS Newsletter Email subscription service enabling subscribers to receive curated content, news, and updates about the institute's activities, events, and member contributions.
• Palabra de D!OS Editorial content platform where members, sponsors, and collaborators share strategic visions, innovation, and design culture through articles and thought leadership pieces.
• Event Programming Curated calendar of design events, festivals, award ceremonies, and conferences that D!OS participates in, organizes, or co-hosts for members, sponsors, and the broader design community.
• D!OS Retail Design Specialized vertical within D!OS that connects enterprise, design, and industry in the retail sector, providing retail design expertise, networking, and the Work Forward Awards.
• Sponsorship and Protector Programs Annual sponsorship and protector programs for design companies, brands, and institutions providing brand visibility, B2B networking, international promotion, and positioning within the Spanish design ecosystem.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Cámara de Comercio Hispano Danesa (Spanish-Danish Chamber of Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Formalized strategic collaboration agreement signed May 15, 2026 in Madrid to strengthen commercial, creative, and innovation ties between Spain and Denmark. The agreement facilitates knowledge transfer on design culture, supports internationalization of entrepreneurs and companies, and organizes forums connecting public and private sector agents from both countries. Signed by Marianne Koefoed (President of Chamber) and Juan Mellen (President of D!OS).
• Govtech 4 Impact World Congress 2026 (G4I)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026D!OS is collaborating with the Govtech 4 Impact World Congress 2026 as Strategic Partner. The forum takes place May 5-7, 2026 in Madrid and focuses on digital transformation of governments. D!OS contributes expertise on design's role in governance, tourism, and urban innovation.
• Vetrinisti & Visual EuropeicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2025Strategic collaboration agreement signed July 22, 2025 to promote design culture, innovation in visual merchandising, and new training and business opportunities in retail, fashion, and food sectors. Creates synergies between Italian and Spanish professionals and institutions.
• Business FrancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 June 2025Collaboration agreement signed June 2, 2025 to actively promote design culture by connecting French brands with design professionals in Spain. This partnership facilitated the 'Le Rendez-Vous' event in Madrid featuring French high-end design.
• Business Week BarcelonacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFormalized collaboration August 11, 2025 to create the Business Design Week initiative. D!OS contributes its experience in international events to develop a professional initiative connecting Latin American design leaders, companies, and institutions with European markets.
• Madrid Design FestivalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMadrid Design Festival is a collaborative platform of D!OS. The festival is organized by La Fábrica and runs from February to March 2026, featuring 59 institutions and brands, 55 exhibitions, 162 activities, and 813 professionals. D!OS amplifies and participates in festival programming.
• Mayrit - Bienal de Diseño y Arquitectura de MadridflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayrit is a collaborative platform of D!OS. The Madrid Design and Architecture Biennale is held every two years, positioning Madrid as a creative hub for emerging talent. Its 4th edition (2026) features 15 venues with two institutional exhibitions and 14 independent projects.
• the RETAIL THERAPY journey (P4R and MAJH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaborative working model created by P4R and MAJH focused on commercial space design from conceptual and tactical perspectives. The model defines design as a strategic action plan treating the client-project-consumer paradigm as a dynamic journey. Operates in retail, horeca, corporate, and digital universes.
• La Feria de Diseño de MedellíncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative platform partner. The Medellín Design Fair (powered by IMM Cologne) is Latin America's most relevant international design fair. D!OS collaborated on the 'Casa España' country-image space showcasing Spanish design brands in Colombia.
• Empresas por la Movilidad SosteniblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to promote design, innovation, and sustainability as drivers of economic and social transformation. Signed October 31, 2025, combining D!OS's design expertise with the organization's sustainability focus.
• KunturLabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKunturLab is identified as an ally of D!OS. The organization hosted CultTech Showcase LATAM, a pioneering event at the intersection of culture, art, technology, and innovation in Latin America. D!OS's Secretary General participated in the event.
• New European Bauhaus (NEB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerD!OS participates in the New European Bauhaus initiative through events like NEB Sur+ encounters in Andalusia. The NEB festival promotes beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive design as part of the European Green Deal, with the third edition held at the Jubilee Park in Brussels.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Design Management Institute (DMI): Membership organization and thought leader in design management and design strategy, offering subscriptions, conferences, journals, and a community for design leaders. DMI's professional membership model maps closely to El Círculo's value proposition for design executives.
• Design Singapore Council: Government-linked national agency that champions design as a driver of economic and social value, similar to D!OS's positioning. Runs membership schemes, design awards, and internationalization programs for design businesses and professionals.
• Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA): Australia's national peak body for graphic and communication design with paid membership, professional development, and design awards. AGDA's member subscription and recognition programs are structurally similar to D!OS's El Círculo and award offerings.
• World Design Organization (WDO): International non-governmental organization that promotes the industrial design profession and design for the economy. WDO operates membership programs, awards (World Design Capital/Talents), and policy advocacy, mirroring D!OS's advocacy and recognition model at a global scale.
• AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts): The largest professional design association in the US, with membership programs, design awards, and community events. AIGA's professional membership and event-driven model is the most direct analog to D!OS's El Círculo subscription community and award ceremonies.
• Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA): European network of national design associations. BEDA coordinates policy advocacy, events, and design promotion across European countries, paralleling D!OS's role as Spain's national design voice participating in cross-border initiatives like the New European Bauhaus.
• ico-D (International Council of Design): International non-governmental design council representing graphic design, communication design, and adjacent disciplines. ico-D's membership structure, advocacy, and standards work closely resemble D!OS's institutional representation role for the Spanish design community.
• Design Council (UK): The UK's national strategic body for design, analogous to D!OS's role in Spain. Both serve as institutional advocates for design with public-sector engagement, membership-style support, and programs that connect design professionals, companies, and government.

Emerging players

• Maison & Objet: Major international design, interior, and lifestyle trade fair and event organizer that connects design brands with professional audiences. Maison & Objet is a sponsor and platform partner of D!OS and a comparable event-led ecosystem for the design community.

Broad incumbents

• Cumulus Association: International association of art, design, and media education and research, with member institutions and conferences. While education-focused, Cumulus's institutional membership, design awards, and international convening functions overlap with D!OS's broader membership and event model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/design-institute-of-spain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@designinstituteofspain
• Instagraminstagram.com/designinstituteofspain
• Pinterestpinterest.com/designinstituteofspain
• Facebookfacebook.com/designinstituteofspain

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Design Institute of Spain (D!OS)