The first investment school for entrepreneurs has officially launched, led by BIGBAN Investors Spain, the country’s leading association of private investors. With the support of València Innovation Capital—the initiative promoted by the Valencia City Council to foster the innovation ecosystem—the Investment School for Startups was created with the aim of training startup founders in key areas that are often outside their initial expertise. The program equips them with the tools needed to better navigate the processes and critical stages essential to scaling their companies.
The school structures its program into three modules and six sessions, focusing on the critical moments of the fundraising process. These include Strategy and round preparation, where founders learn how much capital to raise, when to do it, and from which types of investors; Communication, negotiation, and valuation, covering pitch development, investor decks, company valuation, and dilution limits; and Deal structuring and post-investment, focused on closing agreements, shareholders’ agreements, governance, and investor reporting.
According to Alberto Andújar, Director of BIGBAN Investors, “The professionalization of startup investment does not depend solely on the investor, but also on the entrepreneur’s level of preparation. Providing founders with the right tools and knowledge is an essential step to strengthening the ecosystem. The Investment School for Entrepreneurs was created precisely to address this need and to prepare founders to engage with investors in a more organized and structured way.”
The program features mentoring from top-tier industry professionals, including Diego Camilleri (Lanai Ventures), Tom Horsey (1st Vice President of BIGBAN Investors and one of the most reputable business angels in Spain), Nacho Sánchez (Senda), Alberto Hospital (Aptki), and Héctor Pascual and José Luis Gómez (both from Auren Legal).
Following the success of its first edition, BIGBAN Investors Spain has already launched its second edition, consolidating the school as one of the most specialized training initiatives within the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem. To date, more than 40 startups have participated in the program, including Biotasmart, The Q Club, Nevent, Conus Airway, and Matteco, among others.
Regarding the outcomes of the first edition, 50% of participants reported a significant increase in their maturity when negotiating with investors, while 97% of entrepreneurs stated that they improved their readiness to face fundraising processes after completing the Investment School for Startups.
BIGBAN highlights the importance of entrepreneurs acquiring guidelines that allow them to design a clear financing strategy aligned with the startup’s stage, real needs, and objectives, as well as understanding exactly what must be prepared before engaging with investors—key documentation, essential metrics, and tools that enable a professional and structured presentation.
Another key focus addressed by mentors is how entrepreneurs should communicate their projects clearly, credibly, and compellingly, both verbally and visually, ensuring that the message is aligned with what investors are looking for at each stage.
From an investment perspective, founders gain the skills needed to defend a reasonable valuation, identify key clauses in negotiations, and make informed decisions without jeopardizing the future of their startups. As a result, entrepreneurs are better prepared to manage the final stages of the investment process, build commitment, and successfully close deals.
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