National Forum of Emerging Companies

The Plenary of the National Forum of Emerging Companies has approved the first ongoing evaluation of the Startup Law, which confirms the consolidation of the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem in Spain since the approval of the legislation. 

The evaluation reflects the consolidation of the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem, which has grown from 3,600 startups in 2024 to nearly 5,000 in 2025, while employment in these companies has increased by 46% since 2022 and their average lifespan has risen to 3.5 years. It also shows a stabilisation of investment above €3.1 billion and a notable increase in the turnover of technology startups, which rose from €11.5 billion to €14.8 billion between 2024 and 2025.

The evaluation also points to the good performance of the certification system managed by ENISA, with more than 2,100 certified companies and average processing times of 45 days, as well as greater use of the tax incentives provided for in the law. Spain is also strengthening its position as a destination for international talent, with a 286% increase in residence permits linked to Law 14/2013 between 2020 and 2024.

Alongside these advances, the report identifies challenges such as the transition from startup to scaleup, access to financing in later stages, the territorial concentration of the ecosystem, and the need to continue promoting equality and inclusion. In this context, the Forum will continue the work of its working groups during 2026–2027 in order to deepen the analysis and propose further improvements.

The results and working documents approved at the meeting can be consulted through this link.

Over the past year, Working Group 1, which focuses on public policy and the ecosystem, has carried out extensive work aimed at assessing the impact of the Startups Law and improving the regulatory landscape for early-stage companies in Spain.

The group's efforts have helped build a detailed picture of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, pinpointing trends, needs and priority areas for action. Building on this, progress has been made in setting monitoring indicators and shaping proposals designed to support the growth, scalability and international expansion of startups, while also strengthening equality and diversity within the entrepreneurial landscape.

This process has been further enriched through cooperation with international bodies such as the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), through workshops and analysis sessions focused on public policy evaluation. This collaboration has brought a comparative perspective to the table and strengthened the technical depth of the work.

Alongside this, the group has driven outreach and knowledge-sharing initiatives, most notably the first Info Day, designed as a forum for engaging with the ecosystem to share progress and foster dialogue with the various stakeholders involved.

Together

Working Group 2, which focuses on innovation and technology, has centred its work on examining the conditions that shape the involvement of early-stage companies in research, development and innovation (R&D&I) projects.

Using a range of collaborative working tools, the group has been able to clearly pinpoint the main challenges facing the ecosystem. Key among these are difficulties in accessing funding, the complexity of administrative procedures, the need for better coordination between stakeholders, and the challenges surrounding intellectual and industrial property, particularly in the field of Deep Tech.

Throughout this process, the group has taken into account several initiatives led by the Spanish Central Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), in areas such as knowledge transfer, regulatory sandboxes and the Deep Tech Strategy.

Building on this analysis, the group has set out a work plan structured around several strategic priorities, including strengthening public-private collaboration, improving transfer mechanisms and boosting the Deep Tech ecosystem, while also embedding a cross-cutting gender perspective throughout.

This work has culminated in an in-person workshop held jointly with MICIU, featuring participatory sessions designed to turn diagnoses into concrete, actionable proposals.

Taken together, the initiatives led by the group are helping to improve access for early-stage companies to innovation environments and to strengthen the link between the scientific and technological community and the wider business sector.

Working Group 3, which focuses on regional dynamics and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems, has led a comprehensive review of the support available for entrepreneurship across Spain's autonomous communities, working closely with public administrations and ecosystem stakeholders at both regional and local level.

This work has made it possible to gather and organise information on the policies, programmes and tools that support innovative entrepreneurship, offering a comparative view of how the ecosystem is developing across different parts of the country.

Throughout the process, the group has examined areas such as business creation, job generation, funding mechanisms and mentoring and acceleration programmes, while also highlighting good practices and success stories from different regions.

The analysis brings to light both the diversity of regional approaches and the key role of public-private collaboration in shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as the strengths and challenges shared across territories.

As a result of this work, a snapshot of Spain's regional ecosystem for innovative entrepreneurship has been produced, providing an up-to-date and structured overview of the ecosystem, mapping out innovation hubs, development opportunities and potential regional imbalances.

This document is a key resource for improving coordination across regions and guiding the design of more effective, inclusive public policies that are better aligned with the real needs of the entrepreneurial community.

During its first year of operation, the National Forum for Emerging Companies has carried out its work through three specialised working groups (WGs), set up as collaborative spaces bringing together the public and private sectors.

These groups provide a structured way to tackle the main challenges facing Spain's innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the aim of improving the environment in which early-stage companies operate and helping shape more effective public policies.

Within this framework, the work has focused on assessing the impact of the Startups Law, identifying barriers to business growth, driving innovation and technology, and exploring the regional dynamics of entrepreneurship.

Throughout this period, the working groups have held technical meetings, workshops and collaborative sessions aimed at generating insight and developing concrete proposals.

The Forum will continue its work through these groups, establishing itself as a key space for dialogue and cooperation in support of innovative entrepreneurship in Spain.

On 27 May 2025, the inaugural meeting of the National Forum of Start-ups took place, a new participation body created to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Spain. Convened by the Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, the meeting brought together representatives from the Government, the autonomous communities, technology sector associations, universities, research centres and start-ups. The main objective was to establish a permanent space for dialogue between the public and private sectors, aimed at identifying challenges, proposing regulatory solutions and fostering a more competitive and innovative environment for start-ups.

Attendees included representatives from nine ministries: the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Key public entities supporting start-ups also took part, such as ENISA, ICEX, ICO, CDTI, Red.es, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Transformation (SETT) and Sepides. As regards regional administrations, the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country was represented and, at local level, the FEMP. From the private entrepreneurial ecosystem, organisations such as BME-Growth, Asebio, SpainCAP, TECH Barcelona, Estech, Endeavor, WA4STEAM, South Summit and Clúster.es attended.

During the opening session, the forum's strategic lines of work were defined, which will include monitoring the Start-ups Act, promoting digital talent, attracting investment and improving the regulatory framework. Participants agreed on the need for smooth and continuous collaboration to adapt public policies to the reality of technological entrepreneurship. The meeting concluded with the commitment to draw up an action plan and to hold regular sessions to ensure the development and consolidation of the forum as a key tool for economic development and innovation in Spain.