Entrepreneurship in Architecture

The Arquia Foundation, in collaboration with Factoría Cultural / Vivero de Industrias Creativas in Matadero, Madrid, will award 2 grants for entrepreneurship and innovation for the development of a business project in any area related to architecture, with the aim of encouraging and supporting the creation of business initiatives and promoting innovation in fields related to architecture, thus giving rise to the creation of jobs.

The registration process is completed via the Arquia Foundation web platform, and is formalised according to the following points:

• Registration in this call can only be completed online via the Arquia Foundation platform.

• To be able to start the registration, prior accreditation on the Arquia Foundation platform is required for those who are not already AF users or who have not yet been accredited.

• The application is made when the registration form has been completed and the required documentation for the call has been attached. Proposals submitted by means other than the Internet will not be accepted.

• The jury's decision is final.

• The Foundation reserves the right to reproduce and/or exhibit the proposals selected from the tender either partially or in their entirety.

16 May 2016 at 12 p.m.

The jury will be composed of a mixed team of representatives from Factoría Cultural, the Arquia Foundation and two advisers:

Applications will be evaluated by the jury, taking the following criteria into consideration:

• Professional and academic CV of the applicant and/or each team member, to evaluate leadership skills, commitment to and motivation for the business project.

• Report of the proposed grant project, assessing its originality and viability. Canvas analysis.

Tutors and jurors may contact candidates directly to arrange a personal interview if they deem it necessary in order to clarify aspects of the idea or project.

We believe in projects with great potential, which must meet the following criteria:

• Originality of the business idea: It must be a creative and innovative idea that provides a new working approach and contributes meaningfully in the field related to architecture.

• The business idea must have a clear, ordered and legible structure, and be based on a market opportunity with enough revenue potential.

• Innovative business model with a high capacity to generate value and strong growth potential.

• The project should permit a viable market entry: clear and realistic goals, definition of strategies and necessary resources for implementation, careful planning and a detailed budget.

• Capacity and leadership of the entrepreneur or entrepreneurial team: they must have sound knowledge and qualifications and must show skills in order to implement the project successfully.

 The grant includes the development of the Factoría Cultural innovation and entrepreneurship plan in 24 advisory hours (during 3 months), split into three blocks (market, value offer and development of a prototype), whereby market, offer, branding and marketing workshops and creativity sessions are developed. Over 6 hours of follow-up of the process (during three months) by a Factoría Cultural mentor, who will monitor the implementation of the prototype and the market launch.

 This innovation and entrepreneurship plan will include Factoría Cultural's cross-cutting services, such as: 100Mb of symmetrical Internet for uploading and downloading content, access to different advisory services (including legal, accounting, technology, programming, communication, etc.). As well as other added-value programmes: access to a crowdfunding campaign, access to digital marketing campaigns and visibility programmes. All of this will be provided for two (2) grant candidates.

 Besides Factoría Cultural's services and resources, the Arquia Foundation will put two (2) advisers, who are renowned in the field of managing professional development in architecture, at the disposal of the architect interns from the first day, who will tutor the entire project through face-to-face and online sessions. This tutoring will focus on decision-making and will guide them through the entire process of developing the business plan and analysing its feasibility. It will also provide the intern with contacts and the information required to work successfully on their business project. In the event that the entrepreneurship and innovation project has a local scope within Spain, the Arquia Foundation will provide the relevant local contacts.

 With the aim of standardising the opportunities for participation on a national level, the Arquia Foundation will grant a maximum of 1800 euros for accommodation costs to the grant winner that does not reside in Madrid and who requests this service. To this end, the candidate must present a certificate of current residence from the relevant city council.

 The Arquia Foundation shall bear the costs of travel to Madrid (one return ticket by plane, train or car - as determined by the Foundation), and will provide coverage under the terms of the travel insurance policy contracted through Arquiseguros brokerage.

 The grant will be paid directly to Factoría Cultural.

 If the grant recipient works with a team of one or two other people, Factoría Cultural will provide the following discounts for the interested parties:

• Amount for 2nd person: 75% of the monthly fee.
• Amount for 3rd person: 50% of the monthly fee.