The Ministry of Business, Employment and Energy, through the Directorate General for Commerce, Self-Employment and Business, has presented the IBstartups 2025 action plan, a key initiative aimed at strengthening the start-up ecosystem in the Balearic Islands. With this plan, the Government seeks to prevent the exodus of start-ups from Mallorca, mainly due to the lack of a funding network, as Mallorca Global Mag reported in its Winter 2024-25 edition.

IBstartups 2025 is being developed in coordination with the National Entrepreneurship Office (ONE) as part of the Spain Entrepreneurial Nation strategy and aims to position the Balearic Islands as a benchmark in supporting new innovative businesses. The project has four main objectives:

  • Facilitate investment in the early stages of start-ups.
  • Provide greater security and information to private investors.
  • Connect acceleration projects with potential financiers.
  • Promote the growth of emerging companies in the region.

Core pillars of IBstartups 2025

To achieve these goals, the action plan outlines various strategies focused on three main pillars:

  • Firstly, information and communication through specific innovation workshops and training sessions on marketing, funding, and leadership, alongside specialised mentoring in methodologies such as Grip, Fail Fast, and Learn Faster.
  • Secondly, the promotion of events and networking opportunities like “Pitch and Connect” and an idea lab, where entrepreneurs can present their projects to investors.
  • Finally, practical workshops will be held to strengthen learning and better prepare entrepreneurs.
The Director General for Commerce, Self-Employment and Business, José Antonio Caldés

The Director General for Commerce, Self-Employment and Business, José Antonio Caldés. Photo: CAIB.

The Director General for Commerce, Self-Employment and Business, José Antonio Caldés, pointed out that one of the main challenges faced by start-ups in the Balearic Islands is the lack of early-stage investment, which forces many to relocate to other regions in search of funding, leading to a loss of talent and opportunities in the archipelago.

Caldés also highlighted the need to strengthen the connection between investors and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem: “There is also a lack of awareness among investors on how to approach or get to know the start-up ecosystem in the Balearic Islands. With this project, we aim to foster this connection and increase the number of private investors.”