How to Pitch Like a Pro — Lessons from AticcoLab’s 10th Edition of Startup Booster

Last week, Friends of Bata joined our new partners at AticcoLab for an incredible 3-day event at the Barcelona Finance Hub, where founders turned bold ideas into investor-ready pitches.

This wasn’t just another startup event — it was a crash course in storytelling, courage, and the art of turning vision into traction.

The Startup Booster program is AticcoLab’s signature acceleration track for pre-seed and seed-stage startups, helping early founders validate, scale, and get investment-ready. This 10th edition brought together 10 startups across sectors like consumer goods, HR SaaS, sustainability, and deep tech — all pitching for a chance to join the program and secure up to €100K in funding.

Why We Were There

Friends of Bata was invited to join Adrián Escabias on the feedback panel, supporting founders in shaping sharper, story-driven pitches — the kind that make investors lean forward.

🚀 The Startup Lineup

Kisori Matcha — Digital-native brand scaling fast in B2B and e-commerce.
HonestChefs
— Reinventing plant-based proteins with Lion’s Mane mushroom fillets.
Agrikola.AI
— Hardware + AI replacing pesticides with eco-friendly UVC light.
Bettso
— Music-based wellbeing for hospitals improving mental health outcomes.
Bether Talent
— AI SaaS helping leaders retain top talent.
Vita Longevity
— Personalized wellness for older adults.
Insaion
— SaaS for robotics companies to manage complex data.
Accessibless
— AI platform ensuring accessibility compliance.
Sense App
— Retail app bridging online and offline shopping.
Upraising
— Mushroom-based supplements, €200K ARR and growing.

💥 Adrián Escabias’ Ultimate Pitch Formula:
  • Intro
  • Problem
  • Solution
  • Market
  • Traction / Validation
  • Business Model
  • Competition & Advantage
  • Team
  • Roadmap / Growth Plan
  • The Ask
  • Closing
💡 5 Tips for a Winning Pitch from the Booster stage...

1. Start with why — fast.Hook the audience in 30 seconds with the pain and urgency of your idea.
2. Story first, slides second.
Think like a movie: Problem → Solution → Opportunity.
3. Show momentum, not perfection.
Growth > polish. Share what you’ve learned, not just what you’ve built.
4. Make your ask investable.
Every euro should have a purpose — show what milestones you’ll unlock.
5. Close with conviction.
Leave the room inspired, not just informed.

Extra Notes from the Floor!

Start your pitch with a question to grab attention.
Make your moat obvious — what sets you apart.
Bring data and trends to show market understanding.
The first slide is your billboard — make it clear, make it pop.
Be a storyteller, not a robot — this is performance art.

At Friends of Bata, we’re here to amplify the next generation of founders — giving them tools, exposure, and connections to go from idea to impact. Joining the AticcoLab ecosystem is a major step in strengthening our local community and supporting young innovators ready to take that leap. This collaboration bridges inspiration and execution — proving that the journey from idea to investor begins with one thing: how you tell your story.

Embarking on the path of entrepreneurship can be daunting, fraught with obstacles and uncertainties.

However, the journey of Adrian Escabias, as detailed in our latest Friends of Bata case study, offers invaluable insights and practical lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here's why young entrepreneurs should delve into Adrian's story of ups and downs, and the strategies employed to successfully launch Aticco Ventures:

  1. Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Adrian's transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship showcases the importance of resilience. He faced significant setbacks, including the collapse of his startup Subbo and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Escamu. His ability to bounce back and continue innovating is a powerful lesson for any entrepreneur.
  2. Learning from failure: The case study highlights how Adrian turned failures into learning opportunities. For example, the legal issues and partner conflicts he faced in Subbo underscore the necessity of solid legal agreements and the importance of having experienced advisors.
  3. Importance of Intellectual Property: Protecting intellectual property is crucial, as illustrated by the challenges Adrian faced with his CTO at Subbo. Ensuring proper legal safeguards can prevent devastating losses and help maintain the integrity of your business.
  4. Securing Funding: Adrian's experiences reveal the complexities of startup funding. From relying on personal finances and bank loans to establishing community-based pledge funds, his journey underscores the need for creative and strategic approaches to secure capital.
  5. Building a Supportive Community: Aticco Ventures is a testament to the power of community-driven innovation. By fostering a network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, Adrian has created an environment where startups can thrive through mentorship, collaboration, and shared resources.
  6. Networking and Relationship Building: The value of strong professional networks is a recurring theme in Adrian's story. Regular networking events and workshops at Aticco Ventures help entrepreneurs build essential connections that can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

For  aspiring entrepreneurs, Adrian Escabias's journey provides a realistic and inspiring look at the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. It offers practical lessons on resilience, the importance of solid legal foundations, creative funding solutions, and the power of community. By learning from Adrian's experiences,  entrepreneurs can better navigate their own paths and avoid common pitfalls.

Click here to download the case study and find our all details about his challenges and journey!

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