The Open Call for Startups for the 5th Edition BIND 4.0 Open Innovation and Acceleration Program came to a close September 11, 2020, when we received a total of 750 Startup applications. The number of projects presented is a new record high for the five editions so far, plus it’s an increase of 30% compared to last year alone.

The BIND 4.0 Team couldn’t be more pleased with the interest in our program in major cities across Europe this year. Thanks to all our collaborators and expansive entrepreneurial network, we received a positive response in technological hubs throughout Europe including London, Berlin, Finland, Wales and Italy.

 

Positive Response Across Countries and Continents

We received 584 International Applications which is 37% more than last year! While 59 applications came from the Basque region and 100 from throughout the rest of Spain. The increase in the number of International candidates each year, proves BIND 4.0 has established itself as a program of interest to companies worldwide. 

Resultados 5ª Edición Registros Regiones-ENG-Sinlogo

Among the applications, we’d like to note the increase in startups from the United Kingdom (63), which ranks as the second country with the most applications, after Spain (159). Followed, in third place by India (53), then Brazil (44) and Germany (39).

There also continues to be a greater European presence each year. In the 5th edition Open Call, we received 34% more European companies than last year with a total of 447 Startup Candidates. South America is in second place with 89 applications, followed by South Asia, which has a representation of 79 applications, and North America with 57.

 

Breakthrough Technologies: Robotics, Digital Twin and COVID-19 Solutions

This year, more than 30% of the projects presented are based in revolutionary technologies like, Internet of Things / IIoT, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to develop their solutions. This year the interest in Robotics stands out, as the fourth technology with the highest number of candidatures. Followed by Digital Twin and technological applications that meet the needs generated as a result of the COVID-19 Health crisis. 

All the startups who registered for the fifth edition have presented high-quality solutions, with the aim of improving processes, services and products.

BIND 4.0 5º Ed. Applications by Sector

Candidates by Sector

As our program is focused on four strong and unique sectors, we are always interested in sharing how the projects and solutions can be applied. This year, 60% of the startups have presented a solution with potential application to the area of ​​Advanced Manufacturing. Followed in second place, by technologies with possible application to the Health sector with 35%, 32% of the projects apply to the Energy sector and another 31% have a use case in the Food segment. There is an overlap in the numbers presented as many of the solutions can be applied to more than one sector. 

 

57 Corporate Partners looking to Collaborate

The next step is for our 57 Corporate Partners to review all 750 of the innovative projects and select the Finalists they would like to see in the Pitching stage. The final Startups selected by our Partner Companies to work on a paid, collaborative Industry 4.0 project will be announced in January 2021.

 

Are you an Applicant Startups from the 5th Edition?

Here’s what you can expect in the coming months:

 

  •     ⦿ September 30, 2020: Communication with the Pre-Selected Startups
  •     ⦿ October 13 -19, 2020: Pitching Sessions to Partners
  •     ⦿ November 6, 2020: Announcement of the Finalist Startups
  •     ⦿ January 8, 2021: Announcement of the Selected Startup Companies in the 5th Edition
  •     ⦿ January 25, 2021: Start of the Acceleration Program and Projects with Partners
  •     ⦿ July 2, 2021: Demo Day, Results of the Industry 4.0 Projects Developed