Coinciding with International Entrepreneurship Day, the Center for Digital Entrepreneurship in Port Logistics of the Port of Algeciras Bay became a meeting point to celebrate the completion of the first edition of the Acceleration Program of this digital node, promoted by the Digital Agency of Andalusia (ADA), under the Andalusian Mission initiative, and the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA).
The event, entitled “Port Logistics Summit Mission“, was welcomed by Paco Naranjo, from the strategic office of the Andalusian Digital Agency (ADA) in Cádiz, and Juan Antonio Herrera, head of Innovation at the APBA, who focused on the activity carried out in the centre during this first year and the role it has played in strengthening the connection between startups. companies, institutions and agents of the ecosystem within a model of promoting digital entrepreneurship that generates real opportunities in strategic sectors of the Andalusian economy.
In this period, the centre has woven an ecosystem of 12 startups, of which nine have completed the Acceleration Programme and three of them the High Performance Programme with projects of different types applied to the sector’s value chain: Security, surveillance and automated response; Digitalization, simulation and digital twins; Energy efficiency and decarbonization; Environmental Inspection and Monitoring; Connectivity, IoT and Fleet Management; Administrative automation and blockchain traceability and Advanced threat detection.
The Port Logistics centre has proven to be a privileged environment for applied innovation. As Juan Antonio Herrera pointed out, “this is not a fad, it is a necessity”, in a context where “the logistics sector is stressed by international conflicts“. In this scenario, innovation becomes a lever to respond to urgent challenges: “we need to be competitive, reduce costs but also be sustainable,” he stressed.
The conference then focused on one of the great differentiating elements of the Mission initiative: the construction of an innovative ecosystem, highlighting that the value lies in being able to “learn, do business and generate impact” in direct connection with the logistics-port sector. In this sense, María Niebla, head of the Port Logistics Mission Center, promoted a dialogue between startups and the ecosystem of the Port of Algeciras Bay (PBA), connecting their experiences with the vision of the companies that carry out their activity in the Port Community.
Key learnings were drawn from this dialogue on how to approach access to the port market from a start-up perspective, from an expert voice such as Manuel Piedra, CEO of the Stone Brothers Group, who, in an interview format, addressed the main factors that condition the adoption of digital and disruptive technologies by the different stakeholders in the industry. Next, Rosa Mellado, advisor to Andalucía Trade, outlined the main lines of financing and incentives promoted by the Andalusian agency, highlighting the relevance of generating strategic alliances and shared knowledge to respond to the real needs of the leading companies.
Another key moment was the recognition of the startups and mentors that have been part of this first edition, highlighting their commitment, evolution and ability to adapt in a demanding environment full of opportunities.
The closing, by María Nieto, head of the Mission project, reinforced the idea of continuity: “Mission does not end here. It is not enough just to have a team, opportunity or mentors; everything has to come together and be accompanied with talent and training“. In this sense, the main pillars that will continue to articulate the program were presented: access to the market, investment, financing and the center as a space for open innovation connected to real challenges. Specifically, the opening of the deadline for a new call to join the Mission 2026 Acceleration Program was announced.
The call is aimed at innovative digital projects in four sectors: agrotech, video games, port logistics and mobility in the four specialized digital entrepreneurship centers that offer real environments for experimentation and advanced technological equipment for the development and validation of innovative solutions.
The selected start-ups will participate in a hybrid programme of up to six months (from 1 June to 30 November 2026), which combines specialised training, personalised mentoring, access to technological infrastructures, face-to-face activities and networking and connection with investors and ecosystem agents.
The programme includes two itineraries adapted to the level of maturity of the projects: incubation (for early phases) and acceleration (for projects with a validated product), which will allow access to workspaces and technological equipment at no cost, integration into an open innovation ecosystem, real investment and financing opportunities, connection with leading companies and potential customers and visibility within the Andalusian entrepreneurial ecosystem. services already active in the MISSION community. In addition, projects will be able to access complementary programs such as the MISIÓN Open Innovation Program or advanced consulting services.
The selection process consists of three phases: a continuous pre-selection of applications; online interviews with the selection committee; and a final selection of up to 10 projects per school. The evaluation criteria include, among others, the definition of the proposal, the degree of innovation, the state of development of the project, the economic viability and the composition of the team.
With Misión, the Port of Algeciras Bay is thus positioned as a strategic node where innovation is tested, validated and implemented, generating value not only for port operations, but also facilitating the socio-economic growth of Campo de Gibraltar’s region.
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