The Blockchain technology supports the existence of digital coins. However, it also serves for many other projects. Projects that could be ready to shake up the industry this 2020 and even next year. With this in mind, let’s take a look at three acceleration programs that can boost your Blockchain project.

TrendLab

TrendLab is Renfe’s global startup acceleration program in collaboration with Wayra. It is the open innovation hub in the mobility, transport and logistics sector. They work hand in hand with the startups and business units of Telefónica and Renfe to accelerate the best projects and generate business opportunities together.

In Europe, Barcelona stands out as the fourth most attractive city for fintech.

What are you looking for?

They are mainly looking for IoT solutions, Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning and Neuronal Networks), Big Data, Blockchain, Virtual/Increased Reality, Mobility, whose applications are aimed at improving operational efficiency and the experience of their customers.

They offer business development, with access to Renfe and Telefónica business units to do business together and develop collaborations or pilots. They also have a personalised mentoring programme for each startup lasting six to nine months. The program assigns the best mentors, experts, technicians and coaches in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to each project, in addition to access to Wayra Hubs in Latin America and Europe.

Moreover, they have a monetary prize of up to 50,000 EUR to the winners of the call with the possibility of investing in the future.

The program has had three calls so far, including the one in April this year 2020, where 4 startups were chosen among more than 440 projects submitted, with 30 percent of initiatives accepted outside Spain.

Those chosen have the option of accessing the global network of Wayra „Telefónica“ and Renfe, as well as the possibility of developing business with the two companies in Spain.

Wayra

Wayra invests all year round in mature startups related to the telecommunications sector. Mainly in the areas of IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Cybersecurity, Video and AR/VR, blockchain, edge, 5G and, in general, any solution that could be interesting for the future of a Telco or its customers.

Blockchain is already in the virtual cart of the supermarket
Wayra opens the corporation’s doors to the most disruptive startups so that they can offer their technological solutions to Telefónica’s network of 350 million customers in 24 countries.

It is present in seven hubs in Europe and Latin America with operations in the entrepreneurial ecosystems of 10 countries. In the case of Europe, they have hubs in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), the United Kingdom and Germany.

In the case of Latin America, they have three regional hubs: Brazil, Hispam Norte, with headquarters in Colombia, which also coordinates operations in Mexico and Venezuela. Hispam Sur, located in Argentina, which also coordinates operations in Chile and Peru.

Over the last eight years, Telefónica’s open innovation area has invested more than 160 million euros in startups around the world. More than 500 startups that have participated in the open innovation program are still active and more than 100 are already doing business with the company.

Wayra was created in 2011 by the Spanish telecommunications firm to operate as an accelerator of technological projects, especially in the Latin American region.

Last March, it announced the search for projects based on emerging technologies such as Bitcoin Millionaire to be financed through its startup accelerator program, with a financing amount that can be around 250,000 euros for projects that will meet Telefónica’s needs.

According to a note on its official website, the program will not stop investing this year 2020 despite the situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In that order of ideas, Wayra Spain participated in the second round of funding of a leading cyber-security startup, Countercraft, which reached 5 million dollars, reflecting a success story of the program at a global level.