Registration is now open for the 6th edition of Ekin, supporting entrepreneurship with social impact.

Ideas capable of transforming society need more than just a good proposal. They need support, knowledge and opportunities to become viable and sustainable projects. That is why we are launching a new edition of the Ekin programme, an initiative designed to promote entrepreneurship and social innovation by supporting projects and startups that aim to transform Bizkaia and generate a positive impact in our community.

If you have a transformative idea, are developing an early-stage project, or have a startup with the ambition to grow and scale its business model, we provide you with the tools, training and professional support you need to take the next steps. We are also looking for experienced professionals who want to share their knowledge and support a new generation of social entrepreneurs.

What does the programme offer?

Thanks to our partnership with Bridge for Billions, we offer a four-month incubation programme designed to support entrepreneurs through:

• Personalised mentoring: weekly guidance from professionals with experience in entrepreneurship and social impact.

• Specialised training: practical content tailored to the real needs of each project, covering strategy, finance and sustainability.

• Business model validation: tools and strategic support to develop viable and sustainable proposals.

• Community and networking: access to a network of entrepreneurs and professionals from the entrepreneurship ecosystem, providing opportunities to share experiences and build new connections.

The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, where finalist projects will present their initiatives to the Ekin Programme Selection Committee. The three outstanding projects will receive prizes of €10,000, €5,000 and €2,500, respectively.

We are looking for projects and professionals with the drive to make a difference

The call is aimed at two types of participants, both sharing the same goal: to promote initiatives capable of generating a positive impact on society.

Entrepreneurs

We are looking for innovative and viable business projects from any sector with the potential for further development. To participate, projects must be at a pre-growth stage, be based in Bizkaia and have a social component aligned with BBK’s mission. In addition, all members of the teams behind the projects must be over 18 years old.

Mentors

We want to bring together professionals with at least five years of professional experience after completing their studies who are interested in supporting social entrepreneurship initiatives in Bizkaia. Their commitment will involve dedicating approximately one and a half hours per week over the four-month incubation period, sharing their knowledge and helping teams develop their projects.

How can you take part?

Both entrepreneurs wishing to develop their projects and professionals interested in joining the mentoring network can consult the terms and conditions of the call on our website and submit their application through the following form.

Registration is now open and will remain available until 15 December.

Info Day: an opportunity to discover Ekin

Would you like to find out more about the programme before submitting your application? On 1 December at 1:00 p.m., we will hold an Info Day session for anyone interested in taking part in this new edition.

It will be an opportunity to learn how the programme works, discover what it offers and clarify any questions about the registration process. Register for the Info Day through this form.

At BBK, we remain committed to entrepreneurship and to initiatives capable of addressing the social and environmental challenges facing our communities. If you have an idea with a clear purpose, or if you would like to help others turn their ideas into reality, Ekin is an opportunity to become part of that change.