Wayra (Telefónica)2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Telefónica's corporate venture arm. Since 2011 it has invested €260M+ in 1,200+ startups, and 200+ of its portfolio companies sell to Telefónica.
- Up to $5.8M
- Funding
- Minority stake
- Equity
- No fixed duration
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Wayra (Telefónica)
Wayra is the corporate venture capital arm of Telefónica, the Spanish telecom group. It started in 2011 as an accelerator network and now works as a corporate investor that connects startups with Telefónica's business units. Telefónica says Wayra has invested more than €260 million in over 1,200 startups since 2011 and has an active portfolio of more than 520 companies.
More than 200 of those companies work with the Telefónica Group, and Telefónica puts their combined business with the group above €700 million. Wayra operates mainly in Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Brazil. The model is different from a classic accelerator.
Wayra does not run a fixed global cohort with a standard cheque. Startups usually start with a commercial conversation or a pilot with a Telefónica unit, which can lead to investment and scaling across Telefónica's markets. Wayra calls this its venture client approach.
Current focus areas named by Telefónica are artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced connectivity. Wayra also runs open innovation challenges with other corporates, such as Innomakers4Health 2026 with Pfizer. A third-party guide citing Wayra's investment page reports tickets from about €150,000 to €5 million for seed and growth-stage companies.
Portfolio companies shown by Wayra at 4YFN 2026 included ElevenLabs, Red Sift, Hiya and LuxQuanta.
What Wayra (Telefónica) looks for
Wayra backs startups that can work with Telefónica's business. Telefónica says it looks for companies from its key markets with a real capacity to integrate into its operations. Priority areas are artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced connectivity networks, with interest also in digital platforms, defence and energy. Startups at seed or growth stage with a product already in market have the best fit, because the usual path starts with a commercial pilot before any investment.
How the Wayra (Telefónica) program works
Wayra has no single cohort calendar. Startups enter through one of three routes: becoming a supplier or partner to a Telefónica business unit, joining a country program such as the Munich-based residency run by Wayra Germany, or raising a strategic investment from Wayra. The typical path starts with talks and a scoped pilot with a Telefónica unit.
If the pilot works, Wayra may invest as a minority shareholder, usually alongside venture capital funds in a qualified round. Portfolio companies then get help selling into Telefónica's operating companies in Spain, Germany, the UK and Brazil and access to the group's customer base. Wayra also runs sector challenges with outside corporates, such as the ACCIÓN health-tech accelerator with AstraZeneca Spain and Innomakers4Health with Pfizer, each with its own timeline.
Portfolio startups get access to a perks program and Telefónica's activation programme.
How to apply to Wayra (Telefónica)
- 1Decide on your route: Telefónica as a customer, a country program such as Wayra Germany's residency, or strategic investment.
- 2Identify the Telefónica business unit or market (Spain, Germany, UK or Brazil) where your product fits.
- 3Write a short pilot use case with a defined scope and a success metric.
- 4Submit through the contact form on wayra.com, selecting the Entrepreneur or Startup category and putting your pilot proposal in the message.
- 5Follow up with new commercial results, such as signed customers or pilot data, rather than status requests.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable Wayra (Telefónica) alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by Wayra (Telefónica).
Wayra (Telefónica) vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | ~7% | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
| Dreamit Ventures | Up to $1.5M | Not published | New York | Rolling admissions |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Varies | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
| a16z speedrun | Up to $1M | 10% | San Francisco, CA | November 1, 2026 (5 days left) |
Wayra (Telefónica) FAQ
When is the Wayra (Telefónica) application deadline?+
Wayra (Telefónica) reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
Is Wayra still an accelerator?+
Not in the classic sense. Wayra started in 2011 as an accelerator network, but Telefónica now describes it as its corporate venture capital arm. It invests in startups and connects them with Telefónica business units as customers. There is no dated global cohort in 2026. Some country teams and partner challenges still run program-style calls with their own dates.
How much does Wayra invest?+
Wayra takes minority stakes and usually invests alongside venture capital funds. A third-party guide citing Wayra's investment page reports tickets from about €150,000 to €5 million for seed and growth-stage startups. Telefónica says Wayra has invested more than €260 million in total across over 1,200 startups since 2011. No standard equity percentage is published.
Which countries does Wayra cover?+
Wayra works mainly with startups in Telefónica's key markets: Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Wayra Germany runs a residency program in Munich. The 26 portfolio startups that Wayra showed at 4YFN in Barcelona in 2026 all came from these four countries. Startups from elsewhere can apply but should show a clear fit with one of these markets.
Which companies has Wayra backed?+
Telefónica listed ElevenLabs, Red Sift, Hiya, LuxQuanta and Whalebone among the 26 Wayra-backed startups presented at 4YFN 2026. Wayra's active portfolio has more than 520 companies, and more than 200 of them do business with the Telefónica Group. Telefónica puts their combined business with the group at more than €700 million.
Sources: wayra.com, telefonica.com, hub.causo.ai, globalventuring.com