The success of a start-up’s fundraising efforts does not depend solely on the project’s innovation; trust between partners and the protection of strategic information are crucial to attracting investment.
The event, aimed at entrepreneurs from the Business Factory Aero (BFAero), focused on two key areas: partnership agreements and business confidentiality, and provided an opportunity to examine how these mechanisms strengthen relationships with investors and protect sensitive information relating to their projects.
The session was led by Ana Lorente Berges, co-founder of A2 Estudio Legal, who explained the importance of establishing clear agreements between partners and mechanisms to protect each start-up’s strategic assets.
Attendees explored how these tools not only prevent conflicts but also instil confidence in investors, a key factor in driving innovative projects forward.
Confidence to secure investment
In an ecosystem where public and private investment seeks out start-ups with growth potential, having a solid legal foundation becomes a decisive factor.
Through these initiatives, BFAero provides entrepreneurs with practical tools to navigate investment processes and consolidate their projects in the aeronautical and aerospace sector.
Entrepreneurship does not depend solely on private investment. Public funding is a key route to growth for any start-up, particularly for those developing innovative projects with high potential.
However, accessing this type of support requires knowing where to find the relevant calls for applications and what the funding bodies’ requirements are.
With this aim in mind, participants in the 7th edition ofBusiness Factory Aero (BFAero) explored these issues in depth during the first part of the programme’s final in-person session, held on 26 February.
Key points for accessing public funds
The session was led by Iliyana Zongova, an expert in European funds and projects at NTT DATA, who provided project leaders with a practical insight into how public funding works.
During the event, entrepreneurs were able to learn more about:
The types of initiatives that typically receive support through public funds.
Who is eligible to apply for this type of funding.
Where to find information on funding opportunities.
How to prepare suitable proposals to apply for this funding.
The session enabled participants to better understand how to structure their projects and access new funding channels that can help accelerate their development.
The role of institutional support in business development
Sessions such as this highlight the importance of institutional support in driving and revitalising the business sector, particularly in strategic sectors such as the aeronautical and aerospace industries.
Through training initiatives such as this, BFAero continues to support the start-ups in its ecosystem by helping them build their capabilities and identify opportunities to drive their growth.
Several companies linked to the Business Factory Aero(BFAero) ecosystem, including Binarial Automatización y Robótica, Ventilation Lab, Kreios Space, and Lupeon, have been selected as recipients of the NEXOS grant program, a funding initiative by the Regional Government of Galicia aimed at promoting collaborative R&D&I between SMEs and knowledge centers in strategic sectors. With a budget exceeding 20 million euros, NEXOS seeks to boost competitiveness, sustainability, and digital transformation by mobilizing significant investments in areas such as the circular economy, agri-food, and advanced manufacturing.
In total, four companies affiliated with BFAero are participating in projects selected under this call for proposals, out of a total of 138 supported companies—representing nearly 3% of the total—which underscores the ecosystem’s presence in the program and its contribution to collaborative innovation in Galicia.
The NEXOS call for proposals will support 37 R&D&I projects in collaboration with knowledge centers, with the aim of promoting initiatives in industrial research, experimental development, and organizational and process innovation. The total budget is €22.6 million, and it is expected to mobilize approximately €39.8 million between 2026 and 2028.
Participating BFAero companies
Among the beneficiary companies are several firms involved in projects spearheaded by BFAero:
Kreios Space, S.L. and Lupeon, S.L., participants in the MANA project (Advanced Manufacturing for the New Space Age), which focuses on advanced manufacturing applied to the space sector.
Ventilatio Lab, S.L., a participant in the XIADA project, which focuses on developing solutions for smart air management and environmental disinfection in the field of health and well-being.
Binarial Automatización y Robótica, S.L., a member of the SENSOMARE project, which focuses on researching new solutions in advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence for the fishing industry.
Binarial Automatización y Robótica, S.L., a member of the SENSOMARE project, which focuses on researching new solutions in advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence for the fishing industry.
Promoting collaborative innovation
The funded projects will be carried out by consortia consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of six SMEs, with the aim of promoting collaborative work and the effective transfer of results.
In this context, the participation of companies affiliated with BFAero reinforces the ecosystem’s role as an active driver of innovation, fostering connections between companies and knowledge centers and contributing to the development of technological solutions that have an impact on strategic sectors.
Strategic Projects for Galicia
The selected initiatives fall within the strategic areas defined in the Galician R&D&I Plan 2025–2027, notably the circular economy and energy, advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and health and well-being.
The NEXOS call for proposals is part of the Activa I+G+i program, which supports collaboration between companies and the effective transfer of research results; the Galician government has allocated more than 40 million euros to this program through four major calls for proposals.
The participation of companies affiliated with BFAero in this call for proposals highlights, once again, the ecosystem’s ability to drive innovation and engage in high-impact collaborative projects, thereby helping to strengthen Galicia’s technological and industrial base.
The School of Industrial Organisation (EOI), in collaboration with the Galician Regional Government, is offering its Executive Programme in Defence Industry (Galicia), a training course aimed at professionals, managers and companies wishing to strengthen their capabilities in one of the strategic sectors with the greatest growth potential. This initiative forms part of the Regional Government’s commitment to consolidating Galicia as a region with strengthened industrial and business capabilities to access the security and defence market.
The registration deadline is today, 23 March, and the course will begin on 17 April in a blended learning format, with a total duration of 128 hours.
What will you learn on the programme?
The programme is structured around four key thematic blocks, designed to offer a comprehensive overview of the defence industry ecosystem and its opportunities:
Ecosystem and structure of the sector. Understanding how the defence sector is organised, its public and private stakeholders, and governance mechanisms.
Funding instruments and business opportunities. Learn about the main funding mechanisms and models for accessing strategic contracts and programmes.
Programme and contract management. Operational tools for managing contracts and projects within a highly regulated environment.
Innovation and business collaboration. Case studies and strategies to foster innovation, cooperation and business growth within the sector.
High-calibre teaching panel
The Executive Programme features professional experts from the institutional and business sectors, with extensive experience in advocacy, funding and programme management. The involvement of these lecturers provides a practical and up-to-date perspective that facilitates an understanding of the real challenges and opportunities within the sector.
How to register
Interested companies and professionals should submit their application via the programme’s landing page.
The total cost of the programme is €4,400, and thanks to the support of the Xunta de Galicia, the subsidised amount payable by the participant is €660.
Companies linked to the BFAero ecosystem will be eligible for special enrolment terms, enhancing access to this strategic training.
Key training for business growth
This programme represents a unique opportunity for companies and professionals in the aerospace and technology sectors who wish to enhance their skills, expand their network of contacts and access new business opportunities in the defence industry. Make the most of the final day to register and be part of this strategic initiative
The Regional Government of Galicia, through the Regional Ministry of Economy and Industry, has opened the call for applications for grants to help Galician companies position themselves as suppliers in the field of security and defence. This line of support, with a budget of €1.5 million, is aimed at strengthening the presence of Galician businesses in these strategic sectors.
The deadline for submitting applications is 13 May at 2 p.m., or until the available credit has been exhausted. Applications must be submitted electronically using procedure IN519G.
Facilitating access to the defence and security supply chain
The call for proposals aims to support Galician companies in implementing key actions to position themselves in the fields of defence and security. Specifically, it funds actions such as:
The first entry in the Register of Companies of the Directorate-General for Armament and Material (DGAM).
The preparation of technical proposals to participate in national or European defence tenders.
Technical approval of systems and products through trials and tests in accredited laboratories.
Processing security clearances and authorisations with the CNI, both for companies (HSEM) and establishments (HSES).
The implementation of quality management systems in accordance with PECAL/AQAP standards, including consultancy and certification.
The ultimate goal is to prepare Galician companies to advance or diversify into becoming suppliers of goods and services in the security and defence sectors, facilitating their integration into strategic industrial programmes.
Up to €75,000 per beneficiary
The aid is granted on a non-competitive basis and covers up to 80% of the eligible amount, with a maximum of €75,000 per beneficiary. The minimum budget required per action is €3,000.
Eligible items include specialist advisory and consultancy services, technical assistance, laboratory testing and trials, audits and certifications in specific standards, compulsory training and public fees.
In addition, an advance payment of up to 25% of the grant awarded may be requested, subject to the provision of a guarantee. Expenditure may be incurred until November 2026 or October 2027, depending on the corresponding year.
Private companies with legal personality that carry out economic activity and have a place of work in Galicia may benefit, provided that they take the necessary steps to diversify into defence and security through the required certifications, approvals or authorisations.
Call for proposals aligned with the 2025-2030 Strategy
In this context, the 2026 Guide to Certifications in Security, Defence and Aerospace becomes a key complementary tool. The document provides an understanding of the role of certifications in the different links of the value chain and facilitates strategic planning for companies wishing to benefit from IN519G aid, offering a clear overview of requirements, standards and relationships between regulations.
Strategic opportunity for the BFAero ecosystem
For start-ups and companies linked to Business Factory Aero (BFAero), this call represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen their competitive positioning and advance in certification and approval processes that are essential in highly technologically demanding sectors.
The launch of the IN519G grant and the availability of tools such as the Certification Guide thus consolidate a favourable environment for the Galician ecosystem to continue growing and positioning itself as a benchmark in security, defence and aerospace.
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