Grupo Baskonia Alavés has recently wrapped up the application period for its highly anticipated Startup Challenge, garnering an impressive total of 119 applications. This initiative, developed in partnership with the startup accelerator BerriUp, the Provincial Council of Álava, venture capital fund Easo Ventures, and BIC Araba (Álava Business and Innovation Centre), aims to revolutionize the local sports ecosystem into a smart sports district. The goal is to collaborate with startups that can deliver innovative solutions for sports, entertainment, and sporting events.
The program specifically targeted technology startups eager to validate their products and solutions in a real-world environment in Vitoria-Gasteiz. It welcomed both early-stage startups with groundbreaking ideas and companies with market-ready solutions, particularly in the realms of smart mobility, fan engagement, and sustainable sporting events.
The response was overwhelming, with 119 applications received. Among these, 70 were categorized as MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) or existing products, while 49 fell under the disruptive idea category. The challenge area of fan engagement attracted the most interest, generating 54 applications (30 MVPs and 24 ideas). This was followed by sustainability with 34 applications (25 MVPs and nine ideas), and smart mobility with 31 applications (15 MVPs and 16 ideas).
The geographical reach of the program was also notable. Out of the total applications, 93 originated from Spain, including 53 from the Basque Country (21 from Álava, 28 from Bizkaia, and four from Gipuzkoa). Additionally, 26 applications came from international startups, showcasing the initiative’s growing appeal beyond Spanish borders.
Selected startups will participate in an acceleration program designed in collaboration with BerriUp, which will include specialized mentoring, strategic support, and access to funding opportunities through Easo Ventures. The aim is to transform these selected solutions into robust, scalable projects that can be piloted within Grupo Baskonia Alavés. Furthermore, BIC Araba will assist participating startups as the region’s business and innovation center, facilitating the establishment of selected projects in Álava.
Aitor Jiménez, Innovation and Technology Director at Grupo Baskonia Alavés, expressed enthusiasm about the response, stating: “Receiving more than 100 applications confirms the enormous interest in transforming the sports industry through innovation and technology. For Baskonia-Alavés Group and The Faktory, this response validates our commitment to open innovation and to connecting entrepreneurial talent with real challenges in sport. We have received high-quality proposals in areas such as smart venues, fan engagement, artificial intelligence, mobility, and sustainability. Our next step is to identify the solutions with the greatest potential to become pilot projects within our ecosystem.”
The collaboration among all partners in the Startup Challenge is crucial for fostering open innovation, connecting entrepreneurial talent with the sports industry, and creating practical solutions that will shape the future of sport and entertainment. Jon Ander Merodio, CEO of BerriUp, remarked: “The number of applications received demonstrates the value of bringing together key players across the innovation ecosystem. Their joint efforts have attracted both national and international startups to an initiative capable of generating significant value for the region. We now look forward to supporting these projects and helping them make the most of the opportunity to validate their technologies in a real-world environment alongside Grupo Baskonia Alavés, accelerating their development and bringing them closer to the market.”
Saray Zárate, Deputy for Economic Development and Sustainability at the Provincial Council of Álava, added: “The strong response to this call, including 21 applications from Álava, confirms the strength of our entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem and its ability to test disruptive solutions in real-life environments. Collaboration between established companies and startups is essential to generating new projects that create economic dynamism, employment, and long-term value for the region.”
The application period closed on 30 June through the program’s official website. An evaluation committee, comprising representatives from Grupo Baskonia Alavés, BIC Araba, the Provincial Council of Álava, Easo Ventures, and BerriUp, along with external innovation experts from Área 101, Moeve, and Mobility Lab, will review all submissions and select the finalists.
On 10 July, the three shortlisted startups in each challenge area will present their projects to the jury, which will select one winning startup per category. The acceleration program and pilot projects are set to commence in September, allowing the selected startups to collaborate with Grupo Baskonia Alavés in a real operational environment.
Through this initiative, Grupo Baskonia Alavés continues to solidify its role as a catalyst for innovation, creating new opportunities for collaboration and contributing to the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For more information, visit: https://startupchallenge.baskoniaalaves.com/
About Grupo Baskonia Alavés
Grupo Baskonia Alavés is one of Spain’s leading sports organizations, with a presence in both basketball and football through its clubs Saski Baskonia and Deportivo Alavés. Through its innovation division, The Faktory, the group leads digital transformation and sustainability projects aimed at enhancing the sports experience.
About BerriUp
Founded in 2015, BerriUp has been recognized as Spain’s leading private startup accelerator according to Funcas’ Annual Accelerator Ranking. Based in Bilbao and San Sebastián, it has accelerated more than 40 startups selected from over 2,000 applications, supported by an extensive network of mentors and one of the country’s leading acceleration programs.
For more information, visit www.berriup.com.
About the Provincial Council of Álava
The Provincial Council of Álava is the governing institution of the Historical Territory of Álava. It is committed to promoting economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the region.
For more information, visit web.araba.eus/eu/.
About Easo Ventures
Easo Ventures is a venture capital fund with a portfolio of more than 90 startups and is widely recognized as one of the leading VC funds in the Basque Country and Spain. Specializing in technology and innovative business models, it supports startups throughout their growth journey from the earliest stages.
For more information, visit www.easoventures.com.
About BIC Araba
BIC Araba (Álava Business and Innovation Centre) is the leading entrepreneurship and innovation hub in Álava. It provides comprehensive support services to entrepreneurs and innovative companies, from the idea stage through to business consolidation, contributing to the development of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.bicaraba.eus.
