Ekin

About Us

We are the BBK Banking Foundation’s social entrepreneurship incubator, designed to help entrepreneurs to convert their ideas into sustainable businesses with a positive impact. We work with Bridge for Billions to provide specialised training, personalised mentoring and access to a community of entrepreneurs committed to change.

Target audience

Entrepreneurs

We are looking for people with innovative business projects or ideas who want to be supported to get underway and generate a positive impact. Projects must meet the following requirements to take part in Ekin:

• Be viable and with success potential in any sector.
• Be in the pre-growth phase, i.e., still not be operational or be incorporated but not operational.
• Located in Bizkaia, with international or local outreach.
• Have a social component, aligned with the mission of the BBK Banking Foundation.
• Have a team whose members are of legal age.

Mentors
We are looking for experienced professionals who wish to mentor the selected projects throughout the incubation programme. They must meet the following requirements:

• At least 5 years’ post-academic professional experience.

• Be willing to spend 1 hours and 30 minutes a week during the four-month incubation period.
• Be interested in mentoring social projects of Bizkaia.
• Be willing to run weekly sessions to guide initiatives for this purpose.

Reasons to take part

Participating in Ekin is a unique opportunity to give momentum to your project with social impact. Our structure incubation programme offers the necessary tools and support to turn your idea into a sustainable venture. Here are some of the benefits waiting for you:

• Validation and development of sustainable business models.
• Personalised mentoring with experts in social impact and entrepreneurship.
• Training in strategy, finances and sustainability adapted to the project’s needs.
• Access to an entrepreneurial community with networking and training opportunities.
• Prizes of up to €10,000 for the projects with greatest potential.

Phase and key dates

• Registration opens: Entrepreneurs and mentors wishing to take part must submit their applications by the dates established in each edition.
• Project selection: There will be an in-depth assessment to choose the participants with greatest potential.
• Incubation phase: The selected projects receive four months of training, mentoring and strategic support.
• Demo Day: Public presentation of the finalist projects.
• Prizes of the edition: Prizes of up to €10,000 are awarded to the best three projects.