Attracting International Talent
Six startups from Peru, Chile, and Mexico, specializing in energy, biotechnology, and fintech, presented their projects at Alhambra Venture 2026. The initiative, supported by ICEX's Rising UP in Spain program, aims to facilitate their entry into the Spanish and European markets.
Six startups from Perú, Chile y México They have landed in the Spanish innovation ecosystem thanks to ICEX-Invest in Spain. Their participation in the latest edition of the meeting Alhambra Venture It seeks to open doors to investment and the expansion of its technological solutions in the European market.
Companies specializing in high value-added sectors such as renewable energies, the circular economy, industrial biotechnology and services fintechThey have had the opportunity to present their business models to a large group of investors and corporations at one of the most important entrepreneurship forums in the south of Europa.
Rising UP in Spain: A decade connecting global talent with the Spanish market
The participation of this international delegation is part of the program Rising UP in Spain, an initiative of ICEX-Invest in Spain which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The program's objective is to consolidate España as a strategic destination for foreign startups with high growth potential, facilitating their establishment and development in the country.
Over these ten years, Rising UP in Spain It has served as a key bridge, connecting international entrepreneurial talent with the main players in the Spanish ecosystem. The program's success is reflected not only in the new additions but also in the progress of companies from previous editions. In fact, several startups boosted by this initiative in past calls for applications have competed this year among the finalists of Alhambra Venturedemonstrating the program's ability to facilitate integration and sustained growth within the national market.
Impactful Innovation: From Modular Wind Energy to Industrial Biotechnology
The Latin American delegation selected for the 2026 edition stands out for its innovative capacity and scalability potential. Their proposals address global challenges from different angles, offering B2B solutions of great interest to Spanish industry. Perú, the company Eolic Wall It develops modular wind turbine systems for small-scale renewable energy generation, while GreenDeal It focuses on the circular economy, transforming electronic waste into new materials for industrial use.
In the field of biotechnology, the Chilean SOQUIMAT It transforms forestry byproducts into high-value additives for the paint industry. Meanwhile, the sector fintech is represented by Tu Cambio y VitaWalletwhose platforms aim to simplify and optimize international payments. Finally, the Mexican company WITLAB It uses a combination of microorganisms and artificial intelligence to help industries reduce their environmental impact and improve their production efficiency.
| Startup | Country of origin | Innovation Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Eolic Wall | Perú | Renewable Energies (Modular Wind Power) |
| GreenDeal | Perú | Circular Economy (Electronic Waste) |
| SOQUIMAT | Chile | Biotechnology (Industrial Additives) |
| Tu Cambio | Latin America | Fintech (International Payments) |
| VitaWallet | Latin America | Fintech (International Payments) |
| WITLAB | México | Biotechnology (AI and microorganisms) |
Key points and frequently asked questions about attracting startups to Spain
How does the arrival of these startups affect Spanish companies?
The arrival of high-potential international startups enriches the Spanish business ecosystem. For local companies, it represents a direct opportunity to establish a presence. strategic alliances, find suppliers with innovative solutions that optimize their processes, and even identify investment or acquisition opportunities to incorporate new technologies into their value chain.
What advantages does the Spanish market offer to a Latin American startup?
For a startup of América Latina, España works like a platform for accessing the European single marketwith the cultural and linguistic advantages that this entails. Furthermore, the country boasts a mature innovation ecosystem, access to investment funds, and institutional support programs such as Rising UP in Spain de ICEXwhich reduce barriers to entry and accelerate their growth.
Which sectors are of greatest interest for Hispanic-Latin American collaboration?
The sectors represented by this delegation —renewable energy, circular economy, biotechnology and fintech— are strategic areas for the Spanish and European economies. There is great potential for collaboration on projects in sustainability (ESG)Digitization of financial services and development of new materials are areas where Spanish companies are constantly seeking to improve their global competitiveness.
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