The Canary Islands are a strategic platform for international startups seeking to establish themselves in Europe, offering tax advantages, access to three continents, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. On May 19, 2026, mentorDay participated in the launch of the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 —the world's leading ranking compiled by StartupBlink, which analyzes more than 1,500 cities in 120 countries—to present to investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers worldwide why the Canary Islands represent a unique opportunity to found or expand a business.
What is the Global Startup Ecosystem Index and why does it matter?
The Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI) is the most comprehensive annual report on the state of entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide. Published by StartupBlink, a firm specializing in mapping startup ecosystems, the 2026 edition evaluates more than 1,500 cities in 120 countries based on three dimensions: number of startups, quality of projects, and business environment. For an accelerator like mentorDay, with a presence in 40 countries, inclusion in this index is not just about visibility: it's an opportunity to connect the local ecosystem with investors and founders from around the world who use the index as a compass to decide where to establish their businesses.
Why the Canary Islands are a gateway to Europe, Africa and America
The archipelago's geographical location is no metaphor: the Canary Islands are less than two hours' flight from major European capitals, four hours from West Africa, and directly connected to Latin and North America. This position, combined with a tax framework approved by the European Union that includes a 4% corporate tax rate in the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) and a reduced IGIC (Canary Islands General Indirect Tax) of 6.5%, makes the archipelago the most competitive regulatory environment in Europe for internationally focused startups.
These incentives are complemented by deductions of up to 75.6% for R&D expenses, the possibility of deducting up to 90% of investments through the Canary Islands Investment Reserve (RIC), and access to subsidies of up to 80% and participating loans of up to 100%. These are verifiable figures, supported by Spanish regulations and the European Commission's state aid framework.
How mentorDay presented the Canary Islands' entrepreneurial ecosystem
The presentation of mentorDay at GSEI 2026 was given by Jaime Cavero Gandarias , founder and president of the accelerator, with over 30 years of experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. His message was direct: the Canary Islands are not just an attractive place to live, they are a real platform for growing a business.
mentorDay acts as a Gold Business Ambassador for the Government of the Canary Islands , enabling it to facilitate direct meetings with local government officials for international projects interested in establishing themselves in the archipelago. Alongside active investors such as DRAPER B1 and Archipiélago Next , the ecosystem boasts over 1,200 volunteers—entrepreneurs, investors, and experts—who contribute their time and expertise pro bono to the development of the accelerated projects. In terms of accolades, mentorDay's acceleration program was ranked number 1 in Spain by the Funcas Ranking (2022-2023) and recognized in the Top 5 worldwide by UBI Global (2021-2022).
What does mentorDay's free softlanding program in the Canary Islands include?
For international startups looking to establish themselves in the Canary Islands, mentorDay offers a free soft-landing program with new applications every month , designed to facilitate a quick and smooth entry into the local ecosystem. The program's main elements are:
The Canary Islands' entrepreneurial ecosystem is more than just tax infrastructure: it's a real support network. mentorDay has accelerated over 3,000 companies in 40 countries, contributed to the creation of more than 9,000 jobs, and maintains a network of over 1,000 accredited mentors. This human capital is what's put at the service of international projects arriving in the archipelago through the soft-landing program.
A unique validation marketplace in Europe
The Canary Islands have approximately one million residents with a diverse demographic profile, making them an ideal market for agile validation for startups looking to test their model before scaling to the rest of Europe or Latin America. Internationalization from a territory with a special economic regime reduces entry costs and accelerates learning cycles. According to the European Commission, outermost regions like the Canary Islands have access to differentiated structural and investment funds, further enhancing their appeal for projects with an innovation component.
For any entrepreneur or investor evaluating where to establish their next company, the Canary Islands' entrepreneurial ecosystem offers a combination difficult to find elsewhere in Europe: competitive taxation, a geostrategic position, quality of life, and an accelerator with an international presence ready to facilitate every step of the process completely free of charge.
You can see the full presentation in the video:
Do you want to establish your startup in the Canary Islands?
With over 100 successful programs, more than 3,000 accelerated companies in 40 countries, and a network of over 1,000 active mentors, mentorDay offers a free soft-landing program in the Canary Islands, with a new program opening every month. It includes workspace, legal and visa advice, speed mentoring with 60 experts, and support to adapt your business model to the European market. If you're considering where to establish your company, mentorDay can facilitate every step of the process at no cost.
Discover the soft landing program in the Canary Islands:
https://mentorday.es/programas/softlanding/
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