Next Frontier Founders
This is an acceleration and investment readiness programme designed to support the rapid development and financing of start-ups and spin-offs driven by UPC entrepreneurs.
Under the tagline “Where tech visonaries meet capital”, the programme is sponsored and supported by Fractus through the Hub and offers a combination of:
▪ Training sessions and expert mentoring led by professionals covering several areas of business development, such as financing structures, legal frameworks, market analysis, intellectual property and communication.
▪ Connection with other founders and key players in the innovation ecosystem, especially in deep-tech.
▪ Ask Me Anything session with CEOs and Matchmaking with representatives from public and private investment companies.
▪ The possibility to pitch the tech-based company at the UPC Pitching Session during Four Years From Now (4YFN), on March 4th, or to be present at the UPC Stand at the event, alongside other University start-ups and spin-offs.
▪ Acces to Soft-landing services for start-ups initiative, which allows tech-based companies to connect with innovation ecosystems in Germany, Austria, Finland, France, Poland, Portugal and Sweden, linked to leading universities and technological institutes that are part, along with the UPC, of the European alliance Unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering.
Who is it for
Technology-based start-ups and spin-offs founded by UPC students, recent graduates or research staff, whether already established or currently being created.
Call and registration
The registration period for the Next Frontier Founders (NFF) 2026 is open from June 2nd to July 15th, 2026.
Fill out the Next Frontier Founder's registration form
From mid-July to September, applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the UPC Innovation Management Service and the Fractus-UPC Deep Tech Hub. The list of selected participants will be announced in September.
Timeline
▪ Early October: introduction of selected projects and participating experts and professionals.
▪ From October 2nd, 2026, to January 29th, 2027: mentorships and sessions, including the Ask Me Anything with CEOs of companies and institutions (December 11th), and Matchmaking, with representatives of companies, entities and people interested in investing (January 29th).
▪ First week of March, 2027: the possibility to pitch the tech-based company at the UPC Pitching Session during 4YFN 2027 (March 4th, from 15:45 to 16:45 h) or to be present at UPC Startup Corner at the same event, an international benchmark in the technological entrepreneurship world that will be held, within the framework of MWC Barcelona, at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat).
In the 2026 edition of 4YFN, some of the companies participating in the NFF were present at the UPC Startup Corner, and most of them also took part in the UPC Startup Pitching Session.
Companies of the founders of previous editions
Advanced Algorithms SL (Datision), Algaemical Carbon, Algorae ARTIVIT AI S.L (Numerand), Bio2Coat, Biyiud, Bliko, Bycron Industrias, byNeural, Criboos, Datlantis ReGen, Ducky logistics SL, ecoDeliver, eRoots Analytics, Folgrid Technologies SL, FOOXY Tech, Helix AI, INMERSIA COMPUTERS SL, IT'S ON, Loyapp, May One, Mesai, MiWEndo Solutions, MOAI TECH, MORE Mobility Report, Muvity, My Interactive Plant, Naso Shield, Neod, Payli (Hodefy), Process Talks, SLIMOP SPACE, StageInHome Tech Labs, Strathens Technologies S.L, TECHWICH SL,THEKER Robotics, Tracks CO2, VÖR and Wecaria.
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