The resources that MassChallenge provides, such as mentorship and access to a global network, will allow us to strengthen our efforts in retaining and attracting top talent in the region. Furthermore, connecting our entrepreneurs with MassChallenge will enable us to solidify our presence as a leader in the manufacturing, bio-health, gaming, and Internet industries.

By working closely with MassChallenge, we hope to bolster our current entrepreneurial initiatives such as the Bilbao Bizkaia Entrepreneur Meetup. Bilbaos solid reputation for fiscal sovereignty and its high-level of self-governance positions us to promote forward thinking policies focused on entrepreneurs. In tandem, our region is strategically located along the Atlantic rim, providing a reliable pathway into international trade and investment.

The establishment of a partnership with the Biscay Government serves to attract an untapped pool of promising innovators to our accelerators and further promote our mission of catalyzing a global startup renaissance, shared Kara Shurmantine, Director of Global Partnerships at MassChallenge. During our partnership, MassChallenge hopes to explore and help strengthen Bilbaos ecosystem with the goal of further expanding our global community and supporting entrepreneursno matter their location.

Sustained business creation is the key to thriving in a global economy, and were excited to collaborate with MassChallenge toward making the Basque Country an international hub of entrepreneurship.

The Government of Biscay joined MassChallenge as a Platinum Sponsor in 2015 and will become a Diamond Sponsor beginning in 2016. Alongside MassChallenge, the Government of Biscay will foster the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Basque Country and connect Biscay startups with markets, networks and capital in the global innovation ecosystem.

Biscay is one of three provinces of the Basque Country, home to 1.2 million inhabitants and the oldest spoken language in Europe.?It boasts a dynamic economy based in manufacturing, industry, and advanced services on par with other leading regions in Europe. For more information, please visit www.bizkaia.eus.