INDPULS AI ADOPTION PROGRAM FOR TECH STARTUPS AND SMEs 2025-26
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I. What is the Indpuls AI Adoption Program for Tech Startups and SMEs?
The Indpuls AI Adoption Program for Tech Startups and SMEs (the “Program“) is an initiative promoted by Associació Indpuls (“Indpuls”), which aims to connect innovative technology companies with industrial partners to solve real-world challenges through artificial intelligence. Over the course of the program, selected startups/SMEs will transform concrete use cases into AI-powered pilot projects ready for implementation.
II. Who we are
Indpuls is a private association founded in 2022 by a group of leading industrial companies in Catalonia, which aims to foster collaboration and innovation between startups/tech providers and corporates in order to make the industrial sector a key asset for the generation of wealth and opportunities with a positive and sustainable over time impact on the territory. Indpuls is committed to supporting entrepreneurship and innovative initiatives to promote new business projects and facilitate their growth. To this end, Indpuls is launching the Program, which aims to facilitate the growth of Startups/SMEs by offering them direct access to its partner companies and facilitating possible future collaboration agreements and investment opportunities among them.
III. Why we are launching the Program
The objective of the Program is to foster collaboration between industrial companies and emerging and/or technology-based SMEs in order to strengthen the industrial innovation ecosystem in Catalonia and promote the use of AI solutions and other digital technologies to address AI Challenges, with the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of industrial companies.
AI CHALLENGES
- AI Scouting, review, and summarization of regulations and their impact on product composition.
- AI-generated and AI-validated product labels or technical data sheets.
- AI chatbot assistant for product documentation, supporting both employees and customer service.
- AI-powered Business Intelligence.
- AI tool to support R&D and innovation management.
- Competitor and market analysis enhanced by AI support.
- Personalized commercial proposals and automated quotation generation using AI.
In particular, the main objectives of the Program are the following:- Validation of the business model and value proposition to accelerate time to market; and
- Intensive and short collaboration process among the Startups/SMEs and Indpuls’ partner companies with potential for long term collaboration or investment results.
Considering the above, the expected results of the Program are (i) the development of pilot projects; (ii) the collaboration between Startups/SMEs and industrial clients; and (iii) the identification of investment opportunities.
IV. What profile of Startups and SMEs should join the Program
Innovative startups and tech SMEs building AI solutions that can solve real problems in manufacturing and industrial environments — from data insights and automation to product documentation, R&D support, and intelligent customer engagement.
V. What does the Program offer?
The 10 selected participants will benefit from the following opportunities during the Program:
Pilots: Design and execute real pilots with industrial companies ready to scale, or to validate your AI solution in operational environments.
Mentoring: Receive hands-on guidance from experts in AI, innovation and industrial transformation.
Networking: Expand your network by engaging directly with senior executives from leading industrial companies in Catalonia and connecting with potential investors when needed.
Visibility: Boost your visibility across the industrial and tech ecosystem through dedicated program exposure, events, and communication channels.
Prize: Two startups will be selected as winners, each receiving a €3,000 cash prize and specialized support to develop their pilot with industrial partners. The program offers the structure, expertise, and follow-up needed to validate and accelerate the project in an industrial environment.
VI. Which will be the content and format of the Program?
The Program consists of an open call for Tech Startups & SMEs to participate in an intensive and personalized growth program that will be 60,00% held at Indpuls’ partner companies, in-person or remote, and 40,00% in management support for their growth (percentages are approximate). The content and format of the Program will be the following:
- 2 Joint sessions (at the beginning and end of the program)
- Individual or small group sessions (hybrid format):
o Individual Fit Assessment Sessions: One-to-one meetings with industrial companies to explore the alignment between your AI solution and their specific use cases, ensuring a strong technical and strategic fit.
o Up to 4 mentoring sessions with strategic consultants
VII. Evaluation criteria
The 10 participants will be selected by the Evaluation Committee on the basis of the following criteria:
- AI-based solutions
- Value proposition aligned with the challenges of Indpuls’ companies.
- Potential for collaboration with Indpuls’ partners.
- Clients: existing clients or pilot projects.
- Having raised at least 1 investment round, if necessary.
- Team: previous experience will be valued, minimum size of 3-5 people with the capacity to develop a pilot or collaboration. Founding partners fully involved in the company.
- Disruptive technology: spin-off, deep-tech, or technological background.
- Languages: Spanish and English proficiency will be valued.
- Availability to travel to Catalonia.
- Firm commitment to participate in the program.
VIII. Evaluation Committee
The evaluation committee will be composed of a multidisciplinary team with participation from:
- One (1) representative from each of the companies associated with Indpuls;
- One (1) representative from Lead To Change, strategic partner of Indpuls; and
- One (1) representative from Indpuls.
The Evaluation Committee will select ten (10) Startups/SMEs to participate in the Program. Once the Program has been completed, the Evaluation Committee will select the two (2) finalists that will receive the prize.
IX. Application *
Startups and SMEs interested in participating in the Program may submit their application from 20 th November 20 to 15 th December 2025 at 17:00 (CET, Brussels, Madrid time).
*Dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Indpuls.