Business Factory Aero (BFAero), the incubator and accelerator promoted by the Xunta de Galicia through the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (IGAPE) and XesGalicia, has launched its 7th edition. The program promotes innovative services and technologies for the aeronautical, aerospace, and unmanned vehicle sectors, attracting new investments and strengthening Galicia’s business ecosystem.
BFAero’s Differentiating Features
The 7th edition of BFAero includes a series of key aspects that make it a unique accelerator within the aeronautical and aerospace sector. Its specialized focus, available resources, and global market connection set it apart from other similar initiatives, providing entrepreneurs with an ideal environment to develop and consolidate their projects.
Its main differentiating features are:
1. Aeronautical and aerospace vertical offering a tailored environment with mentors, resources, and project synergies.
2. Market-oriented approach, with projects designed to solve real problems in the sector, helping them achieve commercial viability.
3. A broad portfolio of advanced tools and resources that enable agile technological development.
4. Support from an open innovation ecosystem. Collaboration with public and private stakeholders in aerospace and unmanned vehicles fosters synergies between projects and institutions.
5. Support across the entire entrepreneurial cycle. BFAero offers three modalities—incubation, acceleration, and consolidation—covering every stage from ideation to business consolidation.
6. International reach. It receives projects from around the world and supports their internationalization, helping them access global markets.
7. Investment attraction. It brings projects closer to public and private investors who can provide development capabilities, collaboration opportunities, and access to new markets.
What Does the 7th Edition Offer?
BFAero provides participating projects with expert mentors in areas such as aeronautics, UAV regulations, intellectual property, business management, and marketing—transforming startups into innovative, viable, and scalable companies within the aeronautical and aerospace sector.
Participants benefit from a unique ecosystem that includes specialized training, expert advice, networking, investor access, and workspaces at the Pazo de Feiras in Lugo, near the Rozas airfield and the Rozas Aerospace Research Center (CIAR). Financial support is also available through grants, participatory loans, and potential equity investments, ensuring sustainable project growth.
The program also provides personalized, tailored guidance through technical and management tutoring, sector collaborations, visibility in media and social networks, and participation in events organized under the program.
Economic and Industrial Impact of Spain’s Best Accelerator
BFAero, named Spain’s best accelerator for the second consecutive year by the Funcas ranking, has shown strong economic and industrial impact in Galicia. Managed by the CEL Foundation (Iniciativas por Lugo), it has supported 58 projects since its launch in 2018, created 15 new technology companies, facilitated the relocation of 13 companies to Galicia, mobilized more than €9.2 million in investment, and helped generate over 230 qualified jobs. The 6th edition closed with a record 110 initiatives submitted, 57% of which came from national and international entrepreneurs.
Galicia has established itself as one of Spain’s leading aerospace innovation hubs, with a dynamic ecosystem of more than 55 public and private entities—including anchor companies, universities, research centers, sector companies, and investors—working together to drive technological solutions that address industry and societal challenges.
Recently, the Regional Ministry of Economy and Industry launched the Strategic Initiative in Security, Defense, and Aerospace 2025–2030 in collaboration with the entire sector. Its aim is to strengthen Galicia’s current ecosystem and reinforce its production capabilities in this field. BFAero is aligned with this strategy, serving as a lever for the creation and acceleration of new companies.
Pathways and Financing
The program offers three pathways tailored to the maturity of each project:
- Incubation: For early-stage projects without a validated value proposition, lasting up to 12 months.
- Acceleration: For projects with a developed Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and initial sales, lasting 8 months.
- Consolidation: For companies with defined products or services and real sales, aiming to scale their business, lasting up to 6 months.
In the Incubation phase, startups can access up to €40,000 in non-repayable funding through IGAPE. Acceleration projects may receive up to €60,000 in non-repayable funding from IGAPE, along with a participatory loan of up to €50,000, with the option of equity investment through XesGalicia, the Xunta de Galicia’s investment vehicle.
Consolidation-stage companies can access up to €30,000 in non-repayable funding from IGAPE. Additionally, in the context of a financing round, direct equity investment of up to €250,000 may be considered upon request.
Calendar and Phases
The 7th edition of BFAero follows a structured schedule with several key phases, beginning with the call for applications, open until October 30, 2025. Only applications submitted in accordance with the terms, within the deadline, through the appropriate channel, and with the full questionnaire completed will be considered.
Once the application period closes, the selection phase will begin, during which candidates will be evaluated, and the projects admitted to the program will be chosen.
The selected participants will then enter the onboarding phase, with one month to provide required documentation, sign the necessary agreements, and complete administrative formalities for joining BFAero. Once formalized, they will move on to the incubation, acceleration, and consolidation phases.