Kikoto x ENISA

Spain Up Nation, the brand that for the first time represents Spain as an entrepreneurial and innovative country and is driven by the National Innovation Company (ENISA), held an event on Monday, December 4, at the Adolfo Suárez State Public Library in Ceuta, bringing together the entrepreneurial community with local economic and institutional agents.

The event is part of a tour across 40 provinces aimed at boosting the local economy and reinforcing Spain’s position as a global leader in innovative entrepreneurship. In her welcome speech, Beatriz Blanco, from ENISA’s Communication team, emphasized that "Spain is an entrepreneurial country." "If you have an idea and want to start a business, you will have opportunities, you will have support," she stated.

The meeting also highlighted that now, following the entry into force of the pioneering Startups Law, ENISA has become the certifying body for emerging companies. Since July, more than 500 startups have been certified, enabling them to access various benefits and exemptions. The process, outlined on the entity’s website, is free and very simple.

"Nine out of ten people who buy a ticket, come back."

Attendees then enjoyed a conversation between Helena Díez Fuentes and Rafael Bentolila, CEO of Kikoto, a platform for buying ferry tickets that integrates via API with ferry companies. “The three founders struggled with the difficulties of buying tickets. Now, instead of taking 20 minutes, it takes 20 seconds,” he explained, highlighting that the system stores passenger information such as payment methods and vehicles, allowing for faster future purchases.

The company started “with the Ceuta-Algeciras route,” as the founder pointed out, “and a year and a half later, we included all ferry companies throughout Spain,” as well as routes to France, Algeria, and Morocco, always with an eye on expanding to new markets. “Nine out of ten people who buy a first ticket with Kikoto come back. The tenth one probably doesn't travel much,” he joked.

On this journey, the search engine has been supported by Ceuta Open Future, the entrepreneurship support program from Telefónica Group and PROCESA, Ceuta’s public development company. In addition, it has now been certified as an emerging company. “It was much easier than I thought. The process was quick,” he noted, “and we only had to make a couple of corrections. [...] For me, the most interesting part, besides the tax benefits, is the seal. It’s an important commercial incentive.”