International collaboration initiatives

The current landscape of startups and digital entrepreneurship is marked by an increasing global interconnection. Spain actively participates in numerous international collaboration initiatives that enhance its position in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this context, digital entrepreneurship presents an opportunity to drive a more dynamic, innovative, and competitive economy within the country.

The COVID-19 crisis negatively impacted the entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating a scenario of significant uncertainty that hindered the establishment of innovative businesses. However, the approval of the Startup law and the development of the Spain Entrepreneurial Nation program have established a more favorable regulatory framework for the establishment of technology companies, while also bolstering support for innovative entrepreneurship.

Efforts to promote digital entrepreneurship persist with the goal of solidifying a dynamic, interconnected, innovative, and resilient ecosystem, facilitating a transition towards a more entrepreneurial model across all sectors and regions. Simultaneously, tools are being developed to streamline and promote entrepreneurial projects. To this end, various national initiatives are underway, aimed at:

• Fostering collaboration between startups and established businesses by providing support through the Activa startups program. This initiative aims to boost innovation and the growth of next-generation companies by creating collaborative environments.
• Simplifying the establishment of technology companies and early-stage business management by enhancing the Network of Entrepreneurial Support Points (Red PAE), the Business Information and Creation Network (CIRCE), and SME support systems.
• Enhancing the global visibility of Spanish technological entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the introduction of the Spain Up Nation brand, which portrays Spain as an entrepreneurial and innovative nation for the first time. This effort is spearheaded by the National Innovation Company (ENISA). Additionally, the launch of the Flagship Program aims to attract international events to Spain focused on innovative companies and sectors that drive economic transformation. The Spain Entrepreneurial Nation Strategy and Talent Attraction Program for Women (The Break) are also key components of this endeavor.

At the European level, Spain has implemented various initiatives and programs such as Startup Europe, the European Enterprise Network, the Innovation Radar, and the "An European Union Approach to Startups and Scaleups" Declaration. These initiatives aim to establish a network that enables emerging companies to grow and expand throughout Europe. They also enhance collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders and facilitate access to new markets, thereby accelerating the growth of Spanish startups across Europe.

In the Ibero-American level, Spain participates in the Ibero-American Program of Science and Technology for Development (CYTED), which involves 19 countries from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. This program utilizes IBEROEKA projects to support technological business cooperation.

In short, all these measures reflect Spain and the European Union's dedication to supporting emerging businesses and fostering a more competitive and appealing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. This commitment is geared towards solidifying their positions as leaders in global innovation.

Do you want to be aware of all the international collaboration initiatives in the field of startups and digital entrepreneurship in which Spain participates? Discover all the initiatives in our “Contents” section. You can also contact our support service if you have any questions about this.