La Repsol Foundation has launched a new edition of its startup acceleration program, the Entrepreneurs FundThe aim is to support technology projects that drive the energy transition. This 15th call for proposals is aimed at innovative small and medium-sized enterprises working in key areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the circular economy.
Interested companies have access to deadline until March 15, 2026 to submit their application through the form available on the Repsol Foundation website. The initiative maintains its international focus, but has a special significance in the innovation ecosystem of Spain and Europewhere it seeks to consolidate solutions that can be scaled to an industrial level.
An accelerator focused on the energy transition
The Entrepreneurs Fund It is aimed at pre-commercial technology startups and SMEs that are developing solutions applied to the energy transitionThe call covers projects related to energy efficiency and industrial competitiveness, water management, renewable energies, the circular economy, renewable fuels and materials, CO2 capture, digitalization applied to industry and advanced mobility.
The foundation is looking for companies that already have a validated technology at the prototype level and that need a boost to make the leap to projects with real clientsEach year, candidates are selected from among five and seven companies who become part of the program and access an acceleration itinerary adapted to their level of maturity and their specific needs.
One of the distinguishing features of this initiative is its personalized accompanimentThe program is not limited to financing, but offers comprehensive support in technical, business and market access matters, with the intention of shortening the time it takes for solutions to reach the commercial environment and facilitating their scalability.
The call for applications remains in effect. DiversificationHowever, it prioritizes projects that can be deployed within the European context, leveraging Repsol's industrial and technological network. Companies are not required to relocate, facilitating the participation of teams from different countries without the need for relocation.
Financial support and a tailored acceleration program
Each of the selected startups will have access to a 12-month acceleration program, individually designed. During that period, the companies will receive financial support of up to 120.000 euros in one year, through a convertible loanThis formula allows for the financing of technology development without requiring an immediate investment in the companies' capital.
Beyond funding, the program offers a network of specialized mentors in technology and business development. This group includes active professionals from Repsol Technology Lab and from different areas of the company, as well as former executives with extensive experience in the creation and growth of business projects.
Startups will receive guidance to refine their value proposition, define sustainable business models, and design scaling strategies in energy markets, both in Spain as in other European countries. The goal is for the solutions to pass the testing phase and become viable products or services in the medium term.
The program also facilitates the completion of pilot tests and validations in a real-world environment. Companies will be able to test their technology at Repsol's industrial facilities and collaborate with the multi-energy company's technical teams, a key step in demonstrating the reliability and impact of their solutions under operational conditions.
In addition, the selected companies will receive support in legal and commercial matters, access to strategic contacts, and visibility through the Repsol Foundation's channels. All of this is aimed at improving its options for attracting additional investment and closing deals with clients or industrial partners.
Calendar of the 15th call and participation requirements
Interested companies should submit their application via a online form available on the Repsol Foundation website before March 15th 2026We are looking for technology-based startups and SMEs in the pre-commercial phase, with a sufficient level of development to begin validations with users or clients.
Priority areas include the energy efficiency and competitiveness in industrial processes, water use management and optimization, renewable energy technologies, solutions for circular economy, fuels and materials of renewable origin, capture and use systems CO2, digitalization applied to industry and proposals for advanced and low-emission mobility.
The call for applications does not require startups to change their current workplace. During the acceleration period, which will extend throughout 12 monthsCompanies will be able to continue operating from their usual location, combining remote work with possible in-person visits and activities when necessary for testing or meetings.
According to the planned schedule, the selection of participating companies will be announced in 2026 SeptemberThe acceleration program will then begin in October 2026 and will last for a year, with ongoing monitoring by the mentoring team and the foundation itself.
The initiative is designed for companies that aspire to grow in the European energy and mobility market, and that provide solutions with the potential to environmental, social and economic impact significant.
Results obtained by the Entrepreneurs Fund
Since its launch in 2011The Repsol Foundation's Entrepreneurs Fund has supported 88 startupsAccording to data provided by the entity, more than [number missing] of them [number missing] 65% They remain active, which represents a higher survival rate than the average for the technological entrepreneurial ecosystem.
These companies have developed more than 2.000 prototypes and have managed to capture more than 1.100 millones de euros investment from national and international funds. This is in addition to the creation of more than 900 jobs, many of them qualified and linked to innovation activities in clean energy and new technologies.
In each edition, the program supports between five and seven projects which are currently in the validation phase with clients. The combination of funding, mentoring, and access to industrial testing environments has become one of the most valued elements for participating companies.
For Fundación Repsol, these results reinforce its commitment to an approach of acceleration as measuredwhich tailors resources to the specific needs of each startup. The organization emphasizes the importance of supporting teams not only in the technological aspects, but also in business strategy, market access, and relationships with potential investors.
The experience gained over the previous fourteen editions has allowed for the consolidation of a network of projects, mentors, and investors that acts as an ecosystem around the energy innovation, with an impact in Spain and international reach.
A pillar of the Repsol Foundation's strategy
The Entrepreneurs Fund has become one of the central axes of the Repsol Foundation's strategy, which combines support for technological innovation with outreach activities and social projects related to the energy transition and society.
In the area of investment, the foundation supports companies that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive energy transitionwith environmental, social, and economic impact. The selection of projects aligns with the decarbonization, efficiency, and development of new energy solutions objectives that define the European roadmap.
At the same time, the entity maintains a specific line as business accelerator focused on energy and mobility, which includes the Entrepreneurs Fund itself. The idea is to create a bridge between the world of research and the market, facilitating the transition of technologies from the laboratory to real-world economic activity.
The foundation also promotes knowledge dissemination initiatives, such as the platform Open Room and a network of university chairs focused on energy transition, as well as digital educational programs such as Sinkers, aimed at bringing the challenges of the energy future and the importance of sustainability closer to young people.
Alongside these lines, Fundación Repsol develops social and volunteer projects linked to the new energy model, with the purpose that changes in the energy system are accompanied by opportunities for social development and training for diverse groups.
With the opening of this 15th call for proposals for the Entrepreneurs Fund, the foundation is once again focusing on the technology startups These initiatives, which are being implemented in Spain and the rest of Europe, aim to address the challenges of the energy transition. The combination of funding, specialized mentoring, real-world testing, and strategic support seeks to give these projects the necessary boost to move from concept to market and contribute, in the medium and long term, to a more sustainable energy system.
