Decelera has announced a complete redesign of its investment model in Europe, increasing its initial ticket per company from €150,000 to €1 million, in response to market evolution and emerging trends driven by artificial intelligence.
Under the new structure, Decelera will invest €300,000 in every startup selected to participate in its European program. Several weeks after the program, each company may be eligible to receive an additional €700,000 convertible note, subject to business performance meeting expectations.
This shift positions Decelera as one of the most ambitious accelerators currently active, doubling the check size of Y Combinator and strengthening its competitive edge within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A structural change in early-stage capital
Historically, startups attended Decelera’s immersive program without guaranteed funding, and fewer than half ultimately received investment.
Going forward:
→ 100% of selected startups will receive €300,000 upfront before the program begins.
→ One month after the program, top-performing companies may receive an additional €700,000, bringing total initial investment to €1 million within weeks.
→ Up to €1 million per company is reserved for follow-on investments in the strongest portfolio companies.
This new model allows Decelera to deploy up to €2 million per company, reinforcing long-term alignment with founders.
According to Marcos Martín, CEO of the firm, this transformation reflects a higher level of conviction and long-term commitment to the selected founders.
An elite selection process remains in place
Decelera continues to operate one of the most selective founder filters in Southern Europe and the Hispanic ecosystem:
→ More than 3,600 startups apply each year.
→ From now on, only 12 teams per program will be selected.
What changes is the investment commitment once inside the program: selection now directly implies capital.
The seven-day immersive selection experience, designed to evaluate founders both strategically and humanly, remains central to Decelera’s process and is now reinforced by a capital structure aligned with conviction from day one.
Strengthening Southern Europe and the Hispanic innovation ecosystem
Since 2022, Decelera has managed a €38 million fund in Madrid focused on technology companies in Southern Europe. With this new investment model, the firm becomes one of the most competitive early-stage investors in these regions, combining meaningful initial checks with structured follow-on capacity.
For founders, this means:
→ Immediate runway upon selection.
→ Reduced fundraising pressure.
→ Stronger signaling to later-stage investors.
→ A long-term capital partner with reserved follow-on capacity.
About Decelera
Decelera is a global network of venture capital funds investing in founders with purpose and extraordinary potential. Through a unique immersive selection process and a long-term capital strategy, the firm backs high-conviction teams across Southern Europe and the Hispanic ecosystem. Since 2022, Decelera has managed a €38 million fund in Madrid and in 2025 launched a second fund in Mexico targeting approximately $30 million.
cloud technology axon
Xcalibur Smart Mapping, recognised as the global leader in airborne...
