BIC Euronova and INCIBE successfully accelerate 10 Málaga start-ups and award cash prizes to the top three projects

Caliphal Labs won the programme and received a €3,000 prize. The start-up specialises in gamified cybersecurity education.

BIC Euronova, the European Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) of Málaga, in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), as successfully concluded the third edition of the CYBERSECURITY VENTURES acceleration programme, designed to foster innovation and strengthen cybersecurity.

In addition to taking part in BIC Euronova’s acceleration, training and mentoring programme in Málaga, the ten participating start-ups were eligible for cash prizes to support the development of their projects.

BIC Euronova awarded prizes to the three most outstanding start-ups in the programme: first prize of €3,000 to Caliphal Labs, second prize of €1,500 to Kuro & Kai, and third prize of €500 to Find the Button.

16/04/2026 BIC Euronova

BIC Euronova, the European Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) of Málaga, in collaboration with INCIBE, a public organisation under the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function, through the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, officially closed the third edition of the ambitious CYBERSECURITY VENTURES acceleration programme this morning. The programme is aimed at supporting start-ups and innovative SMEs. The initiative has promoted the creation of new companies through an acceleration programme, encouraged innovation, and helped strengthen cybersecurity among citizens and across the Spanish market.

The training and mentoring programme was delivered at BIC Euronova in Málaga TechPark over 10 weeks, with two sessions per week. In addition, the participating companies received one-to-one advice on legal and tax matters and digital marketing, together with support from a team of expert mentors.

The closing Demo Day, held this morning at BIC Euronova, opened with remarks by its General Director, Álvaro Simón de Blas, accompanied by Víctor Tienda, Head of Innovation Consulting and lead for the Cybersecurity Ventures programme. The event also included a presentation on the INCIBE Emprende Programme by Pilar de Cos, Head of Business Promotion and Development at INCIBE.

The participating start-ups pitched their projects to a panel made up of representatives of BIC Euronova, INCIBE, Binvester and Fundalogy Unicaja. After deliberation, the panel awarded first place to Caliphal Labs (€3,000), second place to Kuro & Kai (€1,500), and third place to Find the Button (€500).

Caliphal Labs, the winning start-up, specialises in gamified cybersecurity education designed by experts and accessible to all audiences.

A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Ali Parandeh, Executive Communication Coach and Start-up Mentor, who delivered a motivational talk on entrepreneurship.

Athenaki, Botifront, Caliphal Labs, Everlasting Art, Ecodecs, Find the Button, In3Com, Kuro & Kai, Qalité Sport and Translating the World are the start-ups that benefited from this acceleration programme, which forms part of the INCIBE Emprende initiative under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and is funded by the European Union through NextGenerationEU.

The participating start-ups all have a link to cybersecurity, either because it is their core business and they develop innovative products or services in this field, or because it is a key part of their activity, for example in online sales. In these cases, they must apply cybersecurity measures to protect their customers’ digital environments.

As a collaborating organisation in the programme, BIC Euronova delivered acceleration activities, talks, workshops, events and incubation services for the participating companies. This joint effort enabled participants to build a solid foundation in cybersecurity knowledge, which is essential for operating safely in today’s digital environment.

Boosting entrepreneurs

INCIBE Emprende was launched to promote entrepreneurship in cybersecurity. Its objectives include strengthening the cybersecurity capabilities of citizens, SMEs and professionals, while also fostering the sector’s ecosystem.

Between 2023 and 2026, INCIBE will continue to support entrepreneurs and Spanish cybersecurity start-ups throughout the whole journey, from idea generation to incubation and acceleration. The institute has been promoting cybersecurity entrepreneurship for more than seven years, as reflected in its Alumni network, a community that includes some of the leading cyber start-ups at national and international level.

The initiatives and actions under INCIBE Emprende form part of the National Programme to Support the Cybersecurity Industry under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), within Component 15, Investment 7: Cybersecurity – Strengthening the capabilities of citizens, SMEs and professionals, and boosting the sector.

About INCIBE

The National Cybersecurity Institute of Spain (INCIBE) is a public organisation under the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function, through the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures. It is a leading national organisation for the development of cybersecurity and digital trust for citizens, academic and research networks, companies, and strategic sectors. It also acts as a driver of social transformation and a catalyst for innovation, promoting R&D&I and talent.