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Creation and management of editions of the Wolaria acceleration programme: boosting innovative entreneurship in Castile and León.

The WOLARIA Acceleration Programme, promoted by ICECYL, has become established over five consecutive editions as one of the leading public instruments supporting innovative and technology-driven entrepreneurship in the region of Castile and León.

Title: Wolaria Acceleration Programme – ICECYL
Client: Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castile and León (ICECYL)
Project duration: 2023–2025
Project website: https://empresas.jcyl.es/web/es/creacion-empresas/aceleradora-empresas.html

DESCRIPTION

Over five consecutive editions, Wolaria has not merely pursued short-term company growth, but the consolidation of robust business models capable of transforming the region’s industrial fabric.

Driven by the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castile and León (ICECYL), the programme has become the region’s benchmark public tool for supporting technological and innovative entrepreneurship.

With a total of 68 participating startups across its different editions, the project has demonstrated that public–private collaboration is key to addressing the challenges of global innovation.

Delivered by Cink Venturing, the programme has provided a comprehensive support cycle ranging from specialised training to strategic connections with the international ecosystem.

OPPORTUNITY

The entrepreneurial ecosystem in Castile and León faced a clear challenge: the need to professionalise startups with a strong technological component so they could compete in global markets.

Key objectives included:

  • Accelerating high-potential startups to address innovation challenges.
  • Strengthening competitiveness and connecting local talent with national and international markets.
  • Facilitating access to specialised funding and networks of strategic partners.

 

WOLARIA emerged as the institutional response to building a more connected and prepared ecosystem, providing tools for tailored mentoring and visibility at flagship industry events.

METHODOLOGY

Cink Venturing implemented a professional acceleration methodology, structured into key phases to ensure the evolution of each project:

  • Phase 1. Strategic planning and diagnosis:
    Each edition began with an activity plan that included an operational methodology and the use of digital tools such as Airtable and Slack to enable continuous and transparent monitoring. A rigorous selection process was carried out based on criteria of innovation, scalability and team strength.
  • Phase 2. Training and specialised mentoring:
    The process combined group-based, in-person workshops with an Individualised Roadmap for each startup. Sessions addressed critical areas such as:

    • Strategy and innovation: definition of disruptive business models.
    • Applied finance and company valuation: preparation of financial metrics for investors.
    • Sales, marketing and communication: acquisition strategies and digital positioning.
    • Legal aspects and intellectual property: intellectual property and data protection.
  • Phase 3. Access to funding (Venture Days):
    Hybrid-format Investor Forums were held, during which startups pitched to venture capital funds and business angels. In addition, advisory support was provided for competitive programmes such as the EIC Accelerator.
  • Phase 4. International visibility and community:
    Startups took part in globally recognised events such as South Summit (Madrid), 4YFN (Barcelona), B-Venture (Bilbao) and Valencia Digital Summit. The use of institutional tools such as the ONE Platform by Red.es was also promoted, enabling entrepreneurs to access national and European funding calls.

 

A key milestone has been the consolidation of the Alumni Network. This community ensures that the relationship with Wolaria does not end after the acceleration phase, fostering synergies, experience sharing and a stable support network for the future of participating entrepreneurs.

IMPACT

The delivery of the different WOLARIA editions has proven to be a qualitative and quantitative driver of change for the regional business ecosystem:

WOLARIA has proven to be far more than a training programme; it is a robust and diverse support ecosystem. The combination of rigorous strategic planning, expert guidance and a strong commitment to international visibility has transformed the way technology is created and scaled in the region.

 

68 startups accelerated through a comprehensive support pathway.

Improved project quality, with clearer value propositions and more professionalised teams.

Extensive international exposure: participation in forums bringing together over 1,500 investment funds and representatives from more than 100 countries.

Satisfaction and usefulness: the model has been validated as an effective, flexible and replicable methodology that strengthens the regional entrepreneurial fabric.

Network consolidation: expansion of a collaborator network comprising mentors, advisors and strategic partners.

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