In the innovation ecosystem, hackathons, open innovation challenges, and acceleration programs are the engine of change. However, there is a reality rarely discussed at Demo Days and in startup management: the administrative burden of managing all that talent.
In 2026, continuing to manage the startup lifecycle with spreadsheets and emails is not just inefficient; it is a risk to the viability of any program. With the arrival of stricter justification regulations (such as programs from EOI, INCIBE, or Chambers of Commerce) and the need to measure KPIs in real time, technology has become the most important mentor.
From "Management by Intuition" to Total Traceability
One of the biggest challenges for any innovation manager is fragmentation. Dealflow data is in one place, mentoring reports in another, and startup KPIs in a PDF that nobody updates.
The solution leading this paradigm shift is Onplug. Unlike generic CRMs, Onplug was born with an obsession: traceability. It enables an accelerator to have a 360° view of the startup lifecycle, from the moment it enters through a registration form until it raises its next round or exits the program.
AI as an Operational Engine
The true revolution we are integrating into the ecosystem (which you can explore in depth in this 2026 Guide on the best software for accelerators) is the use of Artificial Intelligence not as a “toy,” but as a productivity tool:
- Intelligent Mentoring: Onplug’s AI can process mentoring sessions, extracting milestones, tasks, and automatic summaries. This eliminates hours of administrative work for both the mentor and the program manager.
- Predictive KPI Dashboard: It is no longer just about seeing what has happened, but identifying patterns. If a startup in your portfolio stops updating its traction metrics, the system generates alerts.
- Frictionless Fund Justification: For programs that depend on public funding, traceability is law. Having every mentoring hour and every milestone automatically documented is the difference between a successful audit and a financial problem.
The Future of Open Ecosystems
At Jakaton Ventures, we know that innovation happens when we connect the dots. But to connect dots, you first need to have centralized data.
The future of acceleration and incubation programs lies in tools that act as a true entrepreneurship operating system. Less time filling Excel cells and more time driving disruptive projects.
If you are managing an accelerator or a corporate challenge program, it is time to ask yourself: Is your technology on par with the startups you accelerate?