The final of BerriUp’s 20th Call for Proposals, which coincided with the startup accelerator’s 10th anniversary, brought together more than 130 key representatives of the entrepreneurial ecosystem this past June 20th at the Reale Arena Auditorium in Donostia. Investors, corporations, entrepreneurs, mentors, and public institutions gathered at an event that, beyond its competitive nature, celebrated a decade of promoting entrepreneurship from the Basque Country to the world.
Organised in collaboration with Rural Kutxa, Artizarra Fundazioa, and the University of Deusto, the event once again demonstrated that impact-driven entrepreneurship has a strong, connected ecosystem in the Basque Country with a promising future.
In partnership with Rural Kutxa, Artizarra Fundazioa, and the University of Deusto, BerriUp reaffirmed its commitment to fostering impactful startups, innovation, and regional development. The eight finalist startups — Adsol, CampApp, Heuristik, KeepCool, Legacy Crypto, Neexis Render, Standtrack, and Vaneoo Camp — reflected both local talent and territorial diversity, with three startups from Bizkaia, two from Gipuzkoa, one from Madrid, and one from La Rioja.
Key speakers included:
Jon Ander Merodio, Director of BerriUp; Joy Okuyama, Project Director at BerriUp; Pedro Muñoz-Baroja, Managing Partner at Easo Ventures; Gonzalo Soto, Business Manager at Rural Kutxa; Victor Iriarte, Head of the “Línea Inicia” for Entrepreneurs at Rural Kutxa; Garbiñe Henry, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Deusto; Amaia Arregi, General Director of Economic Promotion; and Amaia Jugo, Director of Artizarra Fundazioa.
The event opened with remarks from representatives of the partner organisations:
Joy Okuyama, Project Director at BerriUp, highlighted the special nature of this edition: “We received over 100 applications, which shows the vitality of the ecosystem and the interest in being part of this community.”
Víctor Iriarte, Head of the Línea Inicia at Rural Kutxa, underlined the institution’s commitment to impact entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation. Jon Ander de las Fuentes, trustee of Artizarra Fundazioa, advocated for building an inclusive and entrepreneurial ecosystem from the ground up. Garbiñe Henry, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Deusto, emphasised that “young talent and technology are key to building the future.”
Finally, Pedro Muñoz Baroja, Co-founder of BerriUp and Managing Partner at Easo Ventures, offered an emotional look back at ten years of acceleration: “We have supported more than 44 startups, driving projects from Donostia to the world.”
The event also featured an address by Eneko Goia, Mayor of Donostia-San Sebastián, who reaffirmed the city’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation: “San Sebastián continues to strengthen its position as a hub for projects with global impact.”
At the end of the event, the jury selected the three startups that will join the BerriUp acceleration programme starting in September:
With this special edition, BerriUp not only celebrated a decade of supporting startups but also once again spotlighted the vast potential of the Basque ecosystem as a driver of entrepreneurship and innovation.
About Artizarra Fundazioa:
Artizarra Fundazioa is a non-profit foundation created by a group of professionals and entrepreneurs from the Basque Country and Navarra, with the aim of supporting the economic and social development of both regions. Its main activities include promoting and developing the principle of free enterprise, encouraging investment initiatives for the creation of new innovative companies, and fostering the long-term growth and sustainability of businesses. The foundation seeks to contribute to the economy through reinvestment in the Basque Country and Navarra and by carrying out social projects, thus promoting sustainable development that benefits society.
For more information: https://artizarra-fundazioa.org/
About BerriUp:
Founded in 2015, BerriUp has been recognised by the Financial Times as one of the best accelerators in Spain, with offices in Bilbao and San Sebastián. It has accelerated over 40 startups selected from more than 2,000 projects, supported by the Easo Ventures SCR fund, which has invested more than 2 million euros in high-potential initiatives. Its success is based on a network of 50 mentors and a training programme recognised by Fundación Funcas as one of the best in Spain since 2021. It also drives open innovation by connecting startups with large companies.
For more information: www.berriup.com
About Deusto:
The University of Deusto, through its Deusto Entrepreneurship Model and its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit — Deusto Emprende — acts as a promoter, facilitator, and amplifier of innovation and entrepreneurship among the various groups that make up the University Community and its broader environment — companies, public and private institutions, investors, and social agents. Deusto Emprende’s mission is to support people throughout their lives, fostering an entrepreneurial and innovative culture inside and outside the University, so they become agents of economic and social transformation, in collaboration with the rest of the ecosystem, to achieve greater social and economic well-being.
For more information: www.emprendimiento.deusto.es
About Rural Kutxa:
Rural Kutxa is a leading local financial institution with a strong commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and the economic development of the region. It offers a dedicated support line for entrepreneurial projects: the “Línea Inicia for Entrepreneurs.” Through this line, Rural Kutxa provides advice and preferential financing conditions for entrepreneurial initiatives developed in Navarra, La Rioja, and the Basque Country. Since its launch in 2007, the Línea Inicia has supported 2,900 entrepreneurial projects led by more than 5,000 entrepreneurs.
For more information: https://www.ruralkutxa.com/es/autonomos-emprendedores/poner-marcha-negocio
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