The year 2025 marked a turning point for the International Lab (iLAB), consolidating its position as one of the leading public centers for innovation and internationalization within Madrid’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Driven by the Madrid City Council and managed by Cink Venturing, iLAB has evolved beyond a physical space to become a comprehensive hub supporting tech startups, combining workspace, training, events, and access to growth opportunities.
In this context, the 1st Investment Forum emerges as a strategic initiative to facilitate access to financing, connecting startups with national and international investors, particularly from the Latin American region.
The entrepreneurial ecosystem faces a recurring challenge: many startups approach investors without the necessary level of preparation.
Among the main challenges identified:
The International Lab identified this gap and designed the Investment Forum as a comprehensive solution, focused not only on connecting startups but also on preparing them to maximize their chances of success.
Cink Venturing designed a unique model based on a preliminary intensive preparation program, structured in several phases:
Phase 1. Selection and Assessment
Identification of startups with investment potential and genuine funding needs, prioritizing projects with scalability.
Phase 2. Training and Specialized Preparation
A 30-hour program was developed that combined group training, individualized coaching, and practical simulations.
During this process, the startups worked on:
Phase 3. Simulation and Validation
Conducting mock presentations to test the pitch and tailor the proposal to investor market expectations.
Phase 4. Investment Forum
Hosting the final event as a space for direct connection, facilitating meetings, strategic networking, and real investment opportunities.
The International Lab’s First Investment Forum demonstrated the effectiveness of a model that prioritizes readiness as a key factor in accessing funding.
Key results:
The program has validated an approach in which value lies not only in the connection itself, but in ensuring that startups arrive prepared, structured, and aligned with the demands of the investment market.
This model is already being used as the foundation for future editions, consolidating iLAB as a leader in revitalizing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and generating investment opportunities.
