BE Future
BE Future is an EU-funded collaborative project, launched in 2023 and headquartered in Barcelona, that runs an Acceleration Programme offering up to €30,000 per project to SMEs driving sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity in Europe's business events (MICE) sector across six EU countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BE Future does
BE Future (BEFuture) is an EU-funded cross-sector and transnational collaborative project, launched in 2023 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, dedicated to driving positive change in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector across Europe. Its mission is to transform the European business events industry into a regenerative, resilient, and responsible sector aligned with European Tourism Transition Pathways and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The project is coordinated by the Agència Catalana de Turisme (Catalan Tourist Board) and implemented as a partnership of eight organizations—including Visit Flanders, B.Link Barcelona, Linkeus, VDVO, NHL Stenden University, University of Milano-Bicocca, and Tipik—spanning convention bureaus, academic institutions, industry associations, and a communications agency across Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
BEFuture operates as a programme and ecosystem platform rather than a traditional product company. Its core offering is the Acceleration Programme, which provides up to €30,000 in grant funding per project to at least 80 SME-driven projects focused on sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity in the business events sector. Around this core it has assembled supplementary components: a Marketplace showcasing innovative projects, a paid Mentorship pool, a Knowledge Hub for white papers and research, a Network stakeholder directory, and a quarterly newsletter. The underlying technology stack is a web-based platform hosted on Microsoft Azure servers within the EU, with first-party analytics via the open-source Matomo platform configured for IP de-identification and GDPR-compliant consent management. The project concluded with a Signature Event on 23 February 2026 in Ghent and received the 2026 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award at IMEX Frankfurt in May 2026.
BEFuture is co-funded by the European Union as part of its research and innovation agenda for competitive SMEs and sustainable growth in tourism, and does not generate commercial revenue. Its revenue mechanics consist of EU grant inflows routed through to selected SME subgrantees, mentorship fees from programme participants, and consortium partner contributions. The go-to-market combines an event-driven acceleration model (call for projects → selection → funding → showcase at IMEX/IBTM) with a community-led ecosystem model (local bootcamps, training sessions, and innovation hubs across consortium countries). Customer segments are SMEs in the MICE sector (primary) and event industry professionals and innovators (secondary); pricing is structured as one-time/non-recurring grants of up to €30,000 per project rather than a recurring commercial contract.
BE Future firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BE Future
- Legal name
- BE FUTURE
- Website
- https://be-future.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BE Future is an EU-funded collaborative project, launched in 2023 and headquartered in Barcelona, that runs an Acceleration Programme offering up to €30,000 per project to SMEs driving sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity in Europe's business events (MICE) sector across six EU countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BE Future industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Events Innovation Programme
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
Keywords
Where BE Future is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BE Future business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- EU Research and Innovation Funding: BEFuture is co-funded by the European Union as part of the EU's push for more competitive SMEs and sustainable growth in tourism. The project provides direct funding to selected SMEs through subgrants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Acceleration Programme Funding |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
BE Future product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BEFuture operates an EU-funded acceleration programme that provides direct grants of up to €30,000 to SMEs in the European business events sector, complemented by expert mentorship, structured training, and showcase opportunities at major industry trade shows (IMEX Frankfurt, IBTM World Barcelona). The programme funds at least 80 SME-driven projects across six European countries focused on sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity innovations for the MICE industry.
Product overview
BE Future is an EU-funded cross-sector transnational project designed to transform Europe's business events sector into a regenerative, resilient, and responsible industry. Rather than a single unified product, BE Future operates as an acceleration ecosystem comprising the Acceleration Programme (offering up to €30,000 funding plus technical support and mentorship for SMEs), the Marketplace (showcasing innovative projects in categories including climate change, circularity, talent, inclusion, governance, and event experience), the Mentorship Programme (connecting participants with expert mentors), the Knowledge Hub (white papers and research publications), a Network directory of stakeholders, and a Newsletter. The platform also facilitates participation in major industry events such as IMEX and IBTM World, enabling startups to showcase their innovations and connect with industry professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Acceleration Programme: EU-funded acceleration programme supporting innovative projects in the business events sector with up to €30,000 in funding, mentorship, training, and opportunities to showcase results at major industry events.
Products and services
- Acceleration Programme EU-funded acceleration programme providing up to €30,000 in direct grants per project, along with technical support, mentorship, and training, to help SMEs drive digital and green innovation in the European business events sector. The programme supports at least 80 projects focused on sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity across six European countries.
- Mentorship Programme
Quantifiable outcome
- 80 innovative projects funded and showcased at IBTM World 2025
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BE Future
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BE Future technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
BE Future partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Agència Catalana de Turisme (Catalan Tourist Board)coreLead coordinator of the BEFuture project. Provides strategic direction and hosts the project coordination in Barcelona.
- Visit Flanders Convention BureaucoreKey consortium partner contributing to the European business events transformation agenda, hosts Signature Event in Ghent.
- B.Link Barcelona Strategic ProjectscoreDesigned and wrote the original BEFuture project proposal. Strategic partner for innovation programme development.
- Linkeus (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur CVB)coreFrench consortium partner representing the Provence region, contributing to cross-border innovation initiatives.
- Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren e.V. (VDVO)coreGerman association of event organisers, representing the German market within the consortium.
- NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences / European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI)coreDutch academic partner providing futures research, scenario planning, and expertise in sustainable tourism and event management.
- University of Milano-BicoccacoreItalian academic partner contributing research expertise on business events, tourism, and sustainable development.
- Tipik Communication AgencycoreCommunications agency acting as data processor for BEFuture. Provides communication and data protection expertise as a Belgian-based partner.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BE Future competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- European Innovation Council (EIC): The EIC is the EU's flagship innovation funding instrument supporting SMEs and startups across all sectors. Comparable to BEFuture as a broader EU-funded innovation accelerator channel — BEFuture's IMEX-EIC award signals EIC overlap with the European business events innovation agenda.
- EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology): EIT is an EU body that runs pan-European Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) including one focused on tourism (EIT Culture & Creativity). Comparable to BEFuture as a larger EU-funded European innovation platform addressing SME capacity-building and cross-border collaboration.
- European Tourism Commission (ETC): ETC represents national tourism organisations across Europe and promotes sustainable tourism development. Comparable to BEFuture as a broader European tourism policy and promotion body, with shared focus on sustainability and digital transformation of tourism SMEs.
Direct peers
- ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association): ICCA is the global association for the international meetings and events industry with 1,100+ members across 100+ countries. Comparable to BEFuture as a pan-European MICE sector body that supports industry transformation, knowledge exchange, and innovation in the same customer segment.
- BestCities Global Alliance: BestCities is a global alliance of leading convention bureaux working to elevate the international meetings industry. Comparable to BEFuture as a consortium of European convention bureaux focused on MICE sector excellence and innovation — overlapping directly with partners like Visit Flanders and Catalunya Convention Bureau.
- SITE (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives): SITE is a global association focused on the incentive travel and motivational events industry. Comparable to BEFuture as it serves the same European MICE professional segment with education, community, and incentive-focused programming.
- MPI (Meeting Professionals International): MPI is the largest global association for meeting and event professionals with 60,000+ members. Comparable to BEFuture as it serves European MICE professionals with education, certification, and innovation programming, and operates across multiple chapters including EU regions.
- IMEX Group: IMEX operates the leading global trade shows for the meetings and events industry (IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America). Directly comparable to BEFuture because it convenes the same European MICE ecosystem, is referenced as BEFuture's primary showcase partner, and jointly awarded BEFuture the 2026 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award.
- EU|BIC (European Business Innovation Centres): EU|BIC is a European network of business innovation centres and incubators operating across 30+ countries. Directly comparable to BEFuture as a pan-European accelerator ecosystem that supports SMEs with funding, mentorship, and growth services across member-country hubs.
Others
- European Tourism Manifesto Alliance: A coalition of European travel and tourism associations advocating for EU tourism policy. Comparable to BEFuture as an ecosystem-level European tourism stakeholder, though focused on policy advocacy rather than SME acceleration.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BE Future social profiles
Digital presenceBE Future financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BE Future leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
BE Future funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BE Future M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BE Future
What does BE Future do?
BEFuture operates an EU-funded acceleration programme that provides direct grants of up to €30,000 to SMEs in the European business events sector, complemented by expert mentorship, structured training, and showcase opportunities at major industry trade shows (IMEX Frankfurt, IBTM World Barcelona). The programme funds at least 80 SME-driven projects across six European countries focused on sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity innovations for the MICE industry.
Is BE Future a public or private company?
BE Future is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was BE Future founded?
BE Future was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BE Future based?
BE Future is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does BE Future make money?
One revenue line is on record: EU Research and Innovation Funding.
Who are BE Future's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are European Innovation Council (EIC), EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) and European Tourism Commission (ETC). Direct peers are ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association), BestCities Global Alliance, SITE (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives), MPI (Meeting Professionals International), IMEX Group and EU|BIC (European Business Innovation Centres). European Tourism Manifesto Alliance is listed as an others.
Does BE Future have an API?
No public API is recorded for BE Future.
What industry is BE Future in?
BE Future's product category is Business Events Innovation Programme. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of BPADAOAF, Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8200.