The Regional Minister for Economy and Industry, María Jesús Lorenzana, accompanied by the territorial delegate of the Xunta, Javier Arias, announced that the province of Lugo will play a leading role in the Strategic Initiative for Security, Defense and Aerospace (IESDA), which will have a budget allocation of €14.8 million in the Xunta’s accounts for next year to launch its first actions.
She made this announcement during a meeting with representatives of the CEL Foundation, which collaborates with the Xunta in the BFAero accelerator, and with the promoters of some of the projects that participated in the latest edition. Lorenzana emphasized that the aim of the new strategy is to foster technological and business development in a sector with great potential for creating wealth, attracting talent, and generating high-quality employment.
As part of this commitment to Lugo, the Rozas Industrial Park will host Spain’s first testbed for the “European Digital Sky”, Lorenzana announced, recalling that a memorandum of cooperation has already been signed with Sesar JU, the joint undertaking behind this program designed to unify European airspace. Through this agreement, Galicia will become the first test site in Spain.
The Regional Minister explained that Rozas will be key to the IESDA and that the goal is to “evolve what we already have here today in Rozas and turn the new industrial park into a European benchmark in the aerospace sector,” as it is a flagship example of Galicia’s capabilities in the aeronautical field and will be essential to the region’s industrial development.
Driving Companies
Among the main measures to be implemented under the new budget, María Jesús Lorenzana mentioned the awarding of the first major technological development contracts with driving companies that will become the Xunta’s strategic partners. She also noted that, at the beginning of the year, the funding line for investments in dual-use technologies (civil-defense) will be launched, giving higher scores in the evaluation criteria to projects located around the Rozas industrial park.
In addition, she announced the creation of a dedicated accelerator for space projects based in Rozas, adding that there is growing demand among Galician space sector companies for Galicia to position itself to host a European accelerator in this field. “We are going to create a specific accelerator focused solely on space, complementary to the existing one, and we will work so that this accelerator can become part of a major European project to strengthen the technological and industrial capabilities of this park,” Lorenzana stated, referring to her department’s intention to submit Galicia’s candidacy to host the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre (ESABIC).
Furthermore, Lorenzana expressed the Xunta’s intention that all the work carried out so far at the Rozas Industrial Park will serve as the foundation for this Strategic Initiative for Security, Defense and Aerospace, which, by 2030, will involve €183 million in public investment and is expected to mobilize €900 million in total. “Lugo,” the Regional Minister stressed, “will play a leading role in this strategy as far as the aerospace sector is concerned, and we will strengthen it through this new budget.”
During the event, the startups outlined the key aspects of their Business Plans and had the opportunity to learn in detail about the investment strategies and the specific conditions that each investment entity establishes for the different program tracks.
The Investor Day concluded with a networking session where the projects expanded their network of contacts within the BFAero ecosystem.
Tracks and Funding
The BFAero program offers three tracks, adapted to each project’s stage of maturity, providing access to specific funding options.
Incubation, For early-stage projects without a validated value proposition, lasting up to 12 months. Startups in this phase can receive up to €40,000 in non-repayable funding through the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (Igape).
Acceleration, Aimed at projects with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) already developed and initial sales, lasting 8 months. Projects in this phase may access up to €60,000 in non-repayable funding from Igape, and an additional participating loan of up to €50,000, with the option of equity conversion through Xesgalicia, the investment arm of the Xunta de Galicia.
Consolidation: Designed for companies with a defined product or service and actual sales that are seeking to scale their business, lasting up to 6 months. Companies in this stage can obtain up to €30,000 in non-repayable funding from Igape. Additionally, as part of a funding round and upon request, a direct equity investment of up to €250,000 may be considered.
Kreios Space,Airbus, Telespazio, Avincis andTecnobit took part in various sessions of the program promoted by the Xunta de Galicia, aimed at bringing the aerospace sector closer to young people and to Galicia’s industrial network.
World Space Week was held in Galicia from October 7 to 10, featuring a full schedule of activities organized by the Regional Ministry of Economy and Industry within the framework of the Strategic Initiative in Security, Defense, and Aerospace. For the first time, the region hosted its own public program, aligned with this year’s international theme: “Living in Space.”
Promoting Talent and Innovation
Throughout the different sessions held at the university campuses of Lugo, Santiago, Vigo, Nigrán, and Ourense, participants explored the opportunities the aerospace sector offers in fields such as research, engineering, and technological entrepreneurship.
The startup Kreios Space, part of the BFAeroaccelerator, shared its experience in deep-tech entrepreneurship and satellite propulsion during a session at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Santiago de Compostela.
Meanwhile, BFAero’s leading partner companies — Airbus, Telespazio, Avincis, and Tecnobit — played a prominent role in various events, showcasing their cutting-edge projects and technologies in space communications, defense, navigation systems, and drone-based solutions.
Inspiring Future Careers
The program included technical talks, round tables, a hackathon, and educational workshops with the participation of secondary, high school, vocational training, and university students. These activities highlighted how space exploration contributes to scientific and technological progress, as well as to improving life on Earth.
World Space Week also served to strengthen ties among universities, government institutions, and companies, while showcasing Galicia’s potential as an emerging hub in the aerospace field.
BFAero: Driving Force of the Galician Aerospace Ecosystem
The participation of startups and companies linked to BFAero in this event reinforces the role of Business Factory Aero as a cornerstone of Galicia’s aerospace ecosystem, promoting innovation, talent, and public-private collaboration around a strategic sector for the region’s future.
Business Factory Aero (BFAero), the incubator and accelerator promoted by the Xunta de Galiciathrough 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 initiativessubmitted, 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.
The Regional Minister of Economy and Industry, María Jesús Lorenzana, announced during the conference ‘Galicia’s strategic dialogue with the aerospace, security and defence sectors’, the Xunta’s intention to carry out the first call for proposals by the end of 2025, which will define which companies and technology centres will work together to promote this industry, as well as the investment programmes to be implemented over the next five years.
Lorenzana closed a meeting with companies and entities linked to these sectors, to whom he presented the strategy approved by the Xunta to open a process of strategic dialogue, with the aim of finding out first-hand the real needs in the short, medium and long term in order to adapt the support and investment instruments and thus obtain the best results to promote a security and defence industry in the Community that also includes the aerospace sector.
Industrial potential
The Regional Minister pointed out that the aim is to mobilise all of Galicia’s industrial and technological potential in the field of defence and dual application technologies and to generate a significant demand for products, systems and services, in line with the priorities set by Europe. ‘What the European Commission is asking of governments and administrations is that we work to generate a strong industrial base around the defence sector, which must be considered not as a productive expense but as a strategic investment,’ she said.
In this regard, he stressed that previous analyses carried out for the development of this strategy concluded that Galicia has a high capacity for the manufacture of 75% of the types of components and services required, ‘which gives an idea of the opportunities that our companies will have’, she said.
183M€ in five years
To this end, he specified that 183 million euros will be allocated over the next five years with the forecast of mobilising up to 900 million euros, and with the aim of attracting companies from other strategic areas such as the naval, automotive, metal or ICT to these segments of activity and to materialise new industrial investments.
In terms of financing, a Dual Technologies Investment Fund will be activated in XesGalicia (€40m) to support projects and, within the Igape’s Economic Office, a specific area of business advice will be created.
Lorenzana concluded by encouraging companies and knowledge centres to actively participate. ‘We believe that Galicia is really well positioned to be a target for attracting investment in this sector,’ he stressed.
The director of the Igape, Covadonga Toca, together with the startups selected in the sixth edition of the Business Factory Aero (BFAero) and the driving companies, held a working meeting in the Cidade da Cultura that allowed to detect needs and open new avenues of collaboration.
In addition, during the meeting, representatives of the companies Airbus, Avincis, Telespazio y la UTE Aertec-Tecnobit that are part of the ecosystem, explained the challenges faced by the sector and the lines of innovation in which they focus their resources, with the aim of studying possible synergies with the startups.
Covadonga Toca presented the services of the Galician Economic Office, an agile and personalized point of contact that offers specialized technical attention, operational support and strategic accompaniment in an environment of proximity and trust, especially useful for highly innovative sectors such as aerospace.
Likewise, the director of Igape explained the main lines of support activated this year by the Institute, highlighting the programs aimed at startups, direct loans for strategic projects, support for digital transformation and new tools to promote the international expansion of Galician companies.
The day concluded with a networking space in which representatives of the startups were able to share their proposals and concerns with Igape managers and companies in the sector.
BFAero’s impact
The BFAero, best accelerator in Spain for the second consecutive year, has demonstrated in these years a strong economic as well as industrial impact in Galicia. Since its launch in 2018, it supported 46 projects, contributing to the creation of 11 new technology companies, mobilizing more than 7.5 million euros in investment, and facilitating the creation of more than 220 skilled jobs. The sixth edition closed the call with a record 110 registered initiatives, 57% of which came from national and international entrepreneurs.
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