Wayra

Wayra, Telefonica's corporate venture capital arm and open innovation hub, is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and plays a pivotal role in connecting the telecommunications giant with disruptive technological startups worldwide. Established with the strategic objective of fostering innovation and identifying new business opportunities, Wayra acts as a bridge between Telefonica's vast resources and the agility of the startup ecosystem. Its unique model combines elements of an accelerator and a CVC fund, providing not only capital but also unparalleled access to Telefonica's global customer base, technological infrastructure, and expert mentorship.

Wayra primarily targets early-stage startups, typically from seed to Series A, that are developing solutions in areas strategically aligned with Telefonica's interests. These focus areas include, but are not limited to, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, big data, fintech, cloud computing, and 5G technologies. Beyond initial investment, Wayra's value proposition lies in facilitating commercial agreements and pilot projects between startups and Telefonica's various business units, enabling startups to validate their products and scale rapidly within a large corporate environment.

Since its inception, Wayra has established a significant global footprint, operating in 7 countries across Europe and Latin America, including Spain, the UK, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. This extensive network allows Wayra to scout for promising ventures and support their international expansion. To date, Wayra has supported over 1,100 startups globally, with more than 500 active companies currently in its portfolio. These portfolio companies have collectively raised over $500 million in third-party funding, demonstrating the significant external validation and growth potential fostered by Wayra's involvement. The organization also boasts over 200 successful commercial projects implemented between its startups and Telefonica, underscoring its effectiveness in driving corporate innovation.