Government Initiative
Invested in Open Innovation
The BIND Open Innovation Platform is a public-private initiative funded by the Basque Government and the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability through the SPRI Group and its “Up!Euskadi” platform. Launched in 2016, we facilitate transformative pilot projects with unparalleled business support, leveraging the region’s strategic commitment to Industry and Innovation.
We connect innovative startups worldwide with industry-leading companies to implement mutually beneficial collaborations. BIND is backed by the Basque Government and its business support agency SPRI Group, which equips local companies with resources to secure financing, access industrial sites, adopt new technologies, and expand internationally.
The BIND Platform is designed to:
Public Funding And Support Services
Startups and scaleups participating in the BIND Platform, have access to executive training, high-impact mentoring, private investors and the best possible business support from the local government.
BIND is one of many startup initiatives funded by the Basque Government to foster talent, innovation and digital transformation thus enhancing the greater ecosystem. Professionals and investors facilitate workshops and guidance helping young companies grow and create successful collaborations.
The platform operates through free workspaces at the Basque Innovation Centres of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa with additional support from Hazi and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.
Internationally Acclaimed Platform
In 2025, BIND was recognised as the Best Acceleration Initiative of the Year at the Disruptores Innovation Awards, organised by the leading innovation and entrepreneurship magazine from El Español, Disruptores.
In 2024, the BIND Platform was ranked 23rd in 125 of the Leading European Startups Hubs by the Financial Times. The evaluation which analyzed 2,000 programs, was performed by Startup Alumni and BIND received additional acclaim for exceptional Mentoring.
In 2023, the BIND Open Innovation Platform received the Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) Award for being an outstanding model of how government agencies can catalyze regional innovation and scaling in technology sectors. The SES Awards, presented by Mind the Gap and the International Chamber of Commerce, spotlight exemplary practices and pivotal figures shaping the landscape of global innovation.
In 2020, BIND was acknowledged by the European Commission with an EEPA Award for Improving the Business Environment. Additionally, the International consulting firm Gartner declared BIND as one of the best platforms driving innovation in industrial ecosystems.
With a track record of recognition that dates back to our launch, in 2017 BIND was honored for driving open innovation by the European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN) in at their Annual Congress in Enghien-les-Bains, France.
BIND has clearly been established at an international level, as a benchmark platform for open innovation, realizing disruptive projects, and growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Putting Innovation into Action
Open Innovation Catalyst
How does Open Innovation work? The BIND Open Innovation method connects dynamic startup teams with well-established industry leaders to provide external solutions for their internal digital transformation challenges. This is a win-win approach by leveraging the expertise and agility of startups with the experience and resources of well-established organisations.
Venture Clients Invest As Customers
We use the Venture Client approach: participating startups secure at least one paid pilot project with respected companies while retaining full ownership without equity exchange. This collaborative model helps startups grow through paid projects with reference customers while well-established companies discover, test and implement new technologies to enhance digital transformation.
The symbiosis is clear: corporate resources and processes combined with startup agility and speed. We’re proud of the impact made and success in facilitating collaborative and influential Open Innovation projects.
Education, Synergy and Community
BIND accelerates startup growth through targeted support services, business opportunities, and direct connections to real, paid projects. Our platform brings together 100+ corporates, government organisations, and SMEs — all actively seeking collaborative projects and ready to implement them.
Through specialised workshops, professional development programmes, and business mentoring, BIND equips both startups and corporates to stay competitive, embrace innovation, and collaborate effectively within real industrial environments.
With over 10 years of experience connecting startups worldwide with local industry leaders, BIND has built an evolving ecosystem of alumni, organisations, and investors, continuously networking, finding synergy, and driving meaningful change together.
