mVenturesBcn and NUMA will create the first European acceleration programme for startups in the growth stage

• The agreement, announced today at 4YFN, includes the development of a specific programme in the city of Barcelona
• Numa Barcelona will accelerate 10 startups per year based on innovative mobile technologies, and promote their international expansion
• The selection of startups will begin in May of 2016 and the first edition of the programme will commence in November
• NUMA, the global innovation network founded in Paris, has accelerated 104 startups since 2011, and has programmes in Russia, India, Morocco and France

24 February, 2016

mVenturesBcn, the Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCB) programme to create and mentor new digital projects and businesses, has approved the incorporation of NUMA, the French global innovation network, as the project’s second partner. After the selection of the French accelerator, announced on February 4, today mVenturesBcn and NUMA presented at 4YFN the collaboration agreement under which they will create the first acceleration programme specifically targeting startups in their growth and expansion stages in European markets.

This new acceleration programme will attract 10 startups to the city annually, both Spanish and international, whose projects are related to innovative mobile solutions. The program will mentor startups with an established business model to scale their projects and expand their activity into new international markets. It will also train them to secure funds and capture talent. NUMA’s track record in France and its presence in emerging countries (Russia, India and Morocco), as well as its agreements with European accelerators (Tetuan Valley, in Madrid, and Beta-I, in Lisbon) and international partners (Google for Entrepreneurs, Global Accelerator Network) bolster Numa Barelona’s role as a platform for the creation of scalable and innovative technological solutions of an international nature.

Aleix Valls, CEO of MWCB and mVenturesBcn commended NUMA’s commitment to Barcelona, stating that “This collaboration will make it possible to build new bridges of cooperation between Paris and Barcelona, to create a pioneering digital innovation ecosystem in Europe with an impact at the global level. The alliance with NUMA will allow us to create new dynamics in the European entrepreneurial field, retain talent, and attract startups from around the world so that they develop their projects in Barcelona.” Olivier Mougenot, Investment Director at NUMA, also expressed his satisfaction: “There’s a number of ways to help start-ups grow in Europe: sound product management, ambitious growth marketing, qualified introductions to international corporates and great connexion with other European tech hubs, such as Paris. We look forward to bringing all of those to Barcelona in partnerhsip with Mobile World Capital Barcelona and to build a strong tie between Barcelona and Paris’ ecosystems.

“The selection of projects will begin during the month of May and the four-month programme will be held between November 2016 and February 2017. In exchange for the programme, the joint venture will take a 6% equity stake in all participating start-ups. Start-ups will receive 50.000€ by way of a convertible note to fund investments during the program and their relocation to Barcelona.

Barcelona – Paris, a connection for the future

The agreement between NUMA and mVenturesBcn spotlights the strong relationship between Barcelona and Paris with regards to innovation. Both cities share a focus on talent and have succeeded in creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem, in addition to a thriving business community, investment, and government commitment to entrepreneurship. These two European cities are now collaborating on various projects to share synergies and digital projects for the future. Among these, of note is the commitment to Barcelona as an entrepreneurial hub made by La French Tech, an initiative promoted by the French Ministry of Economy to foster the creation of start-ups abroad. The institution has also boasted a notable presence at 4YFN, the international event for digital startups held as part of the GSMA Mobile World Congress.

mVenturesBcn, attracting innovation and international talent

In order to bolster Barcelona’s position as an attractive business environment for entrepreneurs, startups and investors with initiatives scalable at the global level, mVenturesBcn has already developed an initial acceleration programme in collaboration with Startupbootcamp IoT & Data. The 11 startups participating in this edition held a demo day yesterday, Tuesday, February 23, at 4YFN to demonstrate the progress made on their initiatives.

mVenturesBcn expects to attract one last international acceleration programme in order to firmly establish Barcelona as an appealing business environment for entrepreneurs, startups and investors with initiatives scalable at the global level.