Last Days To Apply For The Wayra Accelerator Program

The new call for companies will be open until the 25th of October. It is the third global call for Telefonica-connected accelerator Wayra, and director of Wayra in Barcelona Julián Vinué has high expectations.

“There are many good accelerators in both Barcelona and Madrid, but nothing like us. We are different because every customer of Telefonica, could be a potential customer of your Start-up. We have big companies like BMW, Nissan and El Corte Ingles at our offices, checking out the companies in the program,” Vinué tells Barcinno.

The world known accelerator launched in 2011 and has since worked with over 500 companies from more than 20 different digital industries under the umbrella of the organization Telefonica Open Future.

The Do’s and Don’ts

Wayra is looking for early stage start-ups and projects in early development. You need to have a high growth potential and strong global focus. The accelerator also prefers products that have a fast commercial time-to-market deployment.

With hundreds of companies applying, you need to stand out to get a shot at our program, director Vinué explains.

“Many companies just do the necessary; fill out the right forms and do the application online. But to have a chance at Wayra I suggest that people call us, reach out to us and have a meeting face to face and use LinkedIn.” 

Vinue goes on to explain that start-ups and entrepreneurs that can show traction, have milestones to show for, and has a technology that’s original and hard to copy, are companies that have a good chance to enter the program.

Recent Success and the Director’s Biggest Fear

In Barcelona alone, Wayra has helped 30 start-ups, and has helped to raise over 30 million euros in funding for these companies.

“The Barcelona based company Marfeel is a good and very recent example of a company that succeeded through Wayra, and which exited the program only a few weeks ago,” adds Vinué.

Marfeel is now headed for the global marked and setting up camp in New York with a series B funding round that resulted in 3.5 million dollars.

Other successful Barcelona-based companies Wayra and Vinué is proud of helping is among others: Cl3ver, Geenapp, Tappx and First vision.

It is also possible to acquire a spot at Wayra simply by reaching out to Vinué or other people at Wayra and pitch your start-up.

“The reason why we also accept start-ups on a rolling basis is because I fear that we could miss out on the next big company. We want to be ready all-year-round,” explains Vinué.

And if you´re not from Spain, and wonder why you should choose a Spanish accelerator, please read this: Why An International Team Chose A Spanish Startup Accelerator