mVenturesBcn and NUMA commit €4.8M to attracting growth-phase digital startups

• The programme has received applications from 37 countries of 4 continents to take part in the first edition of the acceleration programme which begins on 1 November
• The startups participating will receive initial funding of €30,000 to develop their project
• The first NUMA Barcelona programme will culminate in a Demo Day at 4YFN 2017

September 14, 2016

mVenturesBcn, the programme launched by Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCB) to create and support new digital projects and businesses, and NUMA, the French global innovation network, have today presented NUMA Barcelona, the first European acceleration programme for growth-phase digital startups. The initiative of mVenturesBcn and Numa will invest 4.8 million euro in attracting digital talent to the city, in addition to supporting and developing their projects, with particular focus on their scalability and global impact.

NUMA Barcelona will accelerate 30 startups over the next 3 years, and will launch its first programme on 1 November. The international reach of this programme is clearly illustrated by the applications that have already been received from 37 countries on 4 continents – Africa, America, Asia and Europe – in this first call for proposals.

The 10 selected startups will follow a 4-month programme (November to February) which will culminate in a Demo Day on the main stage at 4YFN 2017 during the GSMA Mobile World Congress. Each startup will receive initial funding of €30,000 at the beginning of the programme to develop their project, as well as consulting services, mentoring and offices, among others. Also, NUMA Barcelona will acquire a 5% equity stake, allowing the accelerator to become involved in and monitor the project once the programme has come to an end. For this reason, the initiative has allocated a further €1.5M for possible financial contributions after the programme has been completed. These investments will be made in startups whose proposals possess significant international potential in addition to a strong innovative element.

NUMA Barcelona has a solid network of international mentors who will provide the business teams with constant support. They include, among others, leading figures such as Ali Partovi, investor and consultant in projects such as Facebook, Uber, Airbnb or Dropbox; Gary Shainberg, ex-Vice President of Technology and Innovation at British Telecom and one of the first promoters of Tech Pioneers in the World Economic Forum; Jorge Carulla, ex-Marketing Director of eDreams and cofounder of ShakeUp; and Francisco Pérez, cofounder of Hawkers.

According to Aleix Valls, General Director of Mobile World Capital Barcelona, “NUMA Barcelona is a reflection of the talent and innovative potential in our city. We are generators of ideas, but we have an extraordinary capacity to provide the environment necessary for developing digital projects and making the leap to the international arena.” Along these lines, Pep Gómez, Chairman of NUMA Barcelona, points out that “Entrepreneurs from 37 countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Cameroon, Russia and Canada, among others, want to take part in our initiative. We are offering to accelerate ventures in the mobile capital. This is unique in the world.” NUMA’s CEO, Marie V. Le Barzic, concludes that “The cooperation between NUMA and mVenturesBcn will allow the strengthening of relations between Paris and Barcelona and the establishment of a true bridge of knowledge and digital innovation between both ecosystems.”  

Barcelona: a hub of digital innovation

mVenturesBcn strives to strengthen Barcelona’s role as a business environment for entrepreneurs, startups and investors with initiatives that are scalable on an international level. To this end, mVenturesBcn has opened new offices in Pier01, the centre of reference for digital entrepreneurs in Barcelona backed by Barcelona Tech City that was opened in July.

mVenturesBcn currently hosts 2 leading worldwide acceleration programmes: the first is in the field of the Internet of Things, with Startupbootcamp IoT & Data; the second is NUMA Barcelona, a pioneer programme in Europe for growth-phase startups, sponsored in conjunction with the French innovation network NUMA.

mVenturesBcn also focuses on the acceleration of technological transfer and the creation of new digital-based companies as a catalyst for economic growth. The call for submissions in this area will open in October, in conjunction with universities and research centres. The programme aims to accelerate 20 investigation-based business ventures over 3 years. 

About NUMA

NUMA is a global innovation network bringing growth and human capital to start-ups. Since 2000, NUMA has emerged as France’s leading innovation practice. In addition to providing its start-ups with commensurate financial and educational resources, NUMA has created an environment prone to their success relying on an influential network of entrepreneurs, corporates and technical experts. Since launching its first programme in Paris in 2011, NUMA has accelerated start-ups in five different countries (France, Russia, India, Morocco, and Mexico), and plans to deploy its model in 15 countries by 2019. NUMA by figures: 109 start-ups accelerated, 1M€ average fundraising, 79% still active, 65% have raised funds; 2 programmes in Western Europe, 6 programmes worldwide.

For more information: www.numa.co

About mVenturesBcn

mVenturesBcn, a programme of Mobile World Capital Barcelona, is a key player in entrepreneurship and innovation facilitating the growth and scaling of mobile and digital start-ups, focusing on the globalisation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and attracting international talent to Barcelona. Located in Pier 01 – Palau de Mar, the entrepreneurial ecosystem hub in Barcelona, mVenturesBcn runs acceleration programmes in partnership with the best accelerators around the world. It also collaborates with the top research centres and universities to build technology transfer programmes and support the creation of technology based start-ups.

Mobile World Capital Barcelona, an initiative driving the mobile and digital transformation of society to help improve people’s lives globally, hosts the Mobile World Congress and delivers 4 Years From Now [4YFN], a business platform for the start-up community.

About Mobile World Capital Barcelona

Mobile World Capital Barcelona is an initiative driving the mobile and digital transformation of society while helping improve people’s lives globally.With support of the public and private sector throughout Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, MWCapital focuses on three areas: the digital empowerment of new generations, professionals and citizens; the digital transformation of industries; and the acceleration of digital innovation through entrepreneurship.

Collectively, our mSchools, mHealth, mLiving, mVenturesBcn programmes are positively transforming the health and education system, the industry, and the economy.

MWCapital hosts the Mobile World Congress and delivers 4 Years From Now [4YFN], a business platform for the start-up community.