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Telefónica Startup Programs & Corporate Open Innovation Analysis Software & Data · Comtech

Telefónica is a leading multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and one of the largest service operators globally by market capitalization and number of customers. The company provides a comprehensive range of services, including fixed and mobile telephony, high-speed broadband, and pay television. Operating primarily across Europe and Latin America, Telefónica manages its portfolio through globally recognized premium brands such as Movistar (in Spain and Latin America), O2 (in the UK and Germany), and Vivo (in Brazil). At the core of its strategy, Telefónica is driving a profound digital transformation centered on providing excellent connectivity through the continuous development of next-generation networks, including extensive fiber optic (FTTH) and 5G deployments. Beyond connectivity, the company has a strong focus on new digital services. Through its Telefónica Tech division, it offers a powerful suite of integrated solutions for B2B clients in high-growth areas, including Cybersecurity, Cloud, IoT, and Big Data. Telefónica is also at the forefront of open innovation through Wayra, its corporate venture capital (CVC) arm. Wayra invests in and scales disruptive technology startups across the globe, integrating them into Telefónica's ecosystem to foster innovation and develop new business opportunities. As a publicly-traded company, Telefónica is committed to generating sustainable value for its stakeholders and empowering digital inclusion with a mission to "make our world more human by connecting people's lives."
telefonica.com Madrid, Spain Founded Available with StartupBlink Pro

In StartupBlink's Corporate Startup Activity Index, Telefónica ranks #11 globally and #1 in Spain. It ranks #5 in the Software & Data industry and #4 in the Comtech subindustry.

Global
Corporate Startup Activity Index
#11
Industry
Software & Data
#5
Subindustry
Comtech
#4
National · Spain
Corporate Startup Activity Index
#1
More Ranked Corporates
Key metrics

Telefónica Startup Activity Metrics

Telefónica has supported 754 startups through programs and investments, with those companies raising a combined $7.4 billion over the last ten years. The company currently operates 9 active startup programs.

Overview

Explore Telefónica's investments, startup programs, and corporate open innovation activity

Telefónica has deployed more than $351 million in startup investments through Wayra and partnership programs, strengthening its position as one of the leading innovation-driven corporations globally.

The company currently runs 9 active startup programs supporting 754 startups worldwide across industries such as Ecommerce & Retail, Edtech, Energy & Environment, and Fintech. Its venture arm Wayra has invested in over 712 startups since it was founded in 2011.

The corporate-innovation activity is concentrated in Software & Data, Hardware & IoT, and Ecommerce & Retail, categories where Telefónica's scale provides outsized leverage to early-stage startups.

Activity breakdown

Where Telefónica-associated startups operate

Sector, HQ-city and program-location breakdowns for the startups associated with Telefónica. Unlock the full breakdown with StartupBlink Pro.

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Sector, HQ-city, and program-location breakdowns for all 754 startups associated with Telefónica are part of StartupBlink Pro.

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Programs & CVC

Telefónica Startup Programs and Corporate Venture Capital initiatives

Telefónica engages startups through 9 active programs, supporting 754 startups in total based on our database.

ÍV
Íope Ventures
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
6 startups
S&
Santander & Telefonica Global New Era of Customer Experience Challenge
Startup Activation · est. 2024
Startup Activation Program
Open challenge run by Telefonica with Banco Santander for startups and scaleups improving customer experience, personalisation, network quality on demand and anti-fraud. EUR 120k prizes.
T—
Telefonica — Corporate Self
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
22 startups
Telefónica Innovation Ventures
Telefónica Innovation Ventures
Corporate Venture / Investment · est. 2007
Investment Program
Telefónica Innovation Ventures is Telefónica’s corporate venture vehicle that invests and builds strategic partners aligned with Telefónica’s global strategy. It invests directly in tech star
TO
Telefonica Open Gateway DevCon
Ecosystem Activation · est. 2025
Ecosystem Activation Program
Developer conference run by Telefonica Open Gateway at MWC showing how standardised network APIs are integrated to build digital services.
TO
Telefonica Open Gateway Roadshow
Ecosystem Activation · est. 2025
Ecosystem Activation Program
Multi-city roadshow run by Telefonica Open Gateway with channel partners presenting how its network APIs are transforming business.
TO
Telefonica Open Gateway Summer Hackathon
Startup Activation · est. 2025
Startup Activation Program
Hackathon run by Telefonica Open Gateway for developers building apps that combine MongoDB with Telefonica's Open Gateway network APIs.
TO
Telefónica Open Innovation
Corporate Venture / Investment · est. 2006
Investment Program
Telefónica Open Innovation is Telefonica’s global area designed to connect entrepreneurs, startups, investors and public and private partners around the world to capture innovation and busine
VV
Vivo Ventures
Corporate Venture / Investment · est. 2022
Investment Program
Wayra
Wayra
Corporate Venture / Investment · est. 2011
Investment Program
Wayra is a globally connected and technological open innovation hub in the world. We currently operate in 10 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Peru, Spain, the U
WA
Wayra academies
Cohort Program
Cohort Program
WC
Wayra Chile
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
WH
Wayra Hispam
Corporate Venture / Investment
Investment Program
WP
Wayra Peru
Cohort Program
Cohort Program
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List of Startups

Top startups associated with Telefónica

Telefónica's top 5 associated startups have raised 48% of the $7.4 billion raised in the last ten years across all 754 associated startups, led by Perplexity at $2 billion. Telefónica is associated with 750 active startups and 4 exits. Wayra supports the largest number of startups, with 712 associated startups.

Disclaimer: This is based on general open web search and prone to mistakes.

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Startups associated with Telefónica
StartupSB ScoreIndustryHQ cityLink Type to CorporationLinked via
PerplexityPerplexitySB 821Software & DataSan FranciscoProgram InvestmentWayra
GupyGupySB 703Software & DataSao PauloProgram InvestmentWayra
aSaaSaSaaSSB 682Software & DataJoinvilleProgram InvestmentVivo Ventures
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Corporate Startup Activity Index · 2025

Global Corporate Open Innovation Rankings

Explore the top 372 corporations in StartupBlink's Corporate Startup Activity Index. Telefónica ranks #11 globally and #1 in Spain. It accounts for 6.5% of the measured corporate startup activity in the Software & Data industry and 75.1% of the activity generated by corporations in Spain. Unlock more granular data on each corporation with StartupBlink Pro.

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