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B Accelerator Tower, the International Entrepreneurship Centre of Bizkaia, doubles its space with the inauguration of 5 new floors

2024 September 23
  • The General Deputy of Bizkaia, Elixabete Etxanobe, marked the second anniversary of the B Accelerator Tower (BAT), by announcing an extension of the facility, bringing it to a total floor area 8,000 square metres, with 80% occupancy already, and an international entrepreneurship community of more than 200, making the centre a world leader in open innovation and advanced entrepreneurship.

The International Entrepreneurship Centre, located at the B Accelerator Tower, this morning celebrated its second anniversary with the opening of five new floors totalling 4,000 square meters, doubling its total floor dedicated to the entrepreneurship ecosystem of Bizkaia, bringing it to 8,000 square metres.

The Deputy General of Bizkaia, Elixabete Etxanobe; the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto; and the President of the Basque Government, Lehendakari Imanol Pradales, today inaugurated the second phase of the B Accelerator Tower (BAT). “Today we take step forward in consolidating Bizkaia and the Basque Country as one of the leading centres of entrepreneurship in southern Europe. BAT is already connected to the main centres of entrepreneurship around the world and its community of more than 200 members continues to grow in diversity and talent. With 80% of the space occupied, we have gone from being an ambitious project to a tangible reality and a landmark space for open innovation and entrepreneurship at international level,” remarked Deputy General Etxanobe.

For the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, the opening of this new phase of BAT is “a clear example of our way of doing things. It’s what I call ‘politics of actions’. Work, effort, and also risk but above all, believing in what we do and getting it done. Believing that we have a solid fabric at present, which we continue to weave, and a future that we’re continuing to build to attract talent, have a strong economy and most importantly, ensure our young people stay here.”

The President of the Basque Government, or Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, underlined how “the result of the connectivity of BAT is extraordinary today: entrepreneurs and companies that connect with others and drive the creation of new businesses and employment in a dynamic environment that is more international every day.  The Basque Country and our companies must look to the world more and more. No complexes. Nothing tying us down. With the aspiration of being there where we can defend our interests and strengthen our own position. And with the aspiration of attracting talent, investment and new companies to our country.”

B Acceleration Programs: new acceleration programmes

After two years, BAT has consolidated its position as a leading international centre that connects startups, corporations, investors, technology centres, universities and public bodies around the world. The objective is to drive innovation and new businesses to strengthen and renew the business fabric of Bizkaia and the Basque Country, attracting international talent to the region.

At the launch of the BAT extension, which included a tour of the new facilities, the B Acceleration Programs were presented; seven new acceleration programmes with an international vocation that are already underway, joining the BBK Arin and Startup Wise Guys programs. Renowned companies like Ayesa, Ibermática Fundazioa, Altuna y Uría, Gertek, Google Cloud, Sonae and Iberdrola collaborate with tech startups and SMEs to overcome their technological challenges. During the process, these startups receive expert advice and constant mentoring through the BAT ecosystem.

This open innovation and international connection model is the essence of entrepreneurship at BAT. In the startups, the corporations find innovative technological solutions that respond to the challenges of innovation, while entrepreneurs have the opportunity to connect with potential clients, investors, partners and suppliers. This way consolidated and young companies manage to innovate flexibly and efficiently.

B Acceleration Week: the biggest event in innovation and entrepreneurship

The launch of the BAT extension took place as part of B Acceleration week, held today and tomorrow. The biggest event in innovation and entrepreneurship to be held at the centre to date has attracted over one hundred local and international startups and over 50 corporations and investment firms. One of those will be chosen to head to the Startup World Cup in San Francisco, California in October, where they may obtain one million dollars in funding.

The B Accelerator Tower in numbers:

  • 8,000 square metres
  • 9 floors
  • 80% occupancy
  • International community of more than 200 members (123 startups, 45 corporations and 55 investors, technology centres and universities)
  • The BAT community is made up of over 800 people (620 in 2021)
  • 26 international missions completed
  • 16 international tech delegations from the United States, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Israel.
  • Visits from more than 130 international startups
  • Over 300 international connections made
  • 600 collaborations generated
  • 550 events celebrated
  • 25,000 people assisted
  • 9 acceleration programmes with an international focus underway with:

- Over 170 startups from more than 30 countries assessed

- 100 startups competing on 23 and 24 September to be selected for acceleration programmes and the final of the Startup World Cup

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Politicians attending the event
Other guests
  • Elixabete Etxanobe (Diputada General de Bizkaia); Juan Mari Aburto (Alcalde de Bilbao)