Every year, the weekly magazine L'Econòmic celebrates its edition of the selection of the best emerging companies in the Catalan industrial ecosystem. In this eleventh edition, a list of ten recently created companies has been chosen that meet the characteristics to be successful in the near future.
Experts from various fields, including the technology, biomedical and industrial sectors, have selected business projects that promise rapid expansion. This selection seeks to highlight initiatives with great growth potential. The specialists have carefully evaluated the activity of each company, its degree of innovation, the profiles of the project leaders, as well as the initial financing and successive investment rounds.
The chosen projects are presented as key drivers of development and competitiveness in their respective sectors. The experts of this edition are Miquel Martí, general director of Tech Barcelona; Isabel Amat, innovation director of Reig Jofre (participant of the Industrial Doctorates Plan with 12 strategic research projects); Ramón Martín, advisor to BStartup of Banc Sabadell; Oriol Pascual, director of S2 Xpeed; Mercè Tell, general partner of Encomenda Capital Partners, and Maribel Berges, entrepreneur and expert in biotechnology.
Of the different emerging companies identified by L'Econòmic in the article " Not even the most seductive projects find talent" , we want to highlight six that participate in the Industrial Doctorate Plan with various strategic, collaborative and applied research projects:
1. LuxQuanta. Two industrial PhD projects in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPF): “Quantum distribution of cryptographic keys for long communication distances” and “On-chip cv-qkd systems (quantum key distribution systems, based on integrated optics)” . LuxQuanta is a spin-off of the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), and has positioned itself at the forefront of international research in digital communications security, a critical area in Europe in the midst of its geostrategic race. Its continuous quantum key distribution (CQKD) technology constantly generates cryptographic keys and monitors the presence of intruders, improving the accessibility, stability and integration of the system.
2. KOA Biotech. An industrial PhD project in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB): “ Design, characterization and validation of biosensors for the development of a yacht device for continuous monitoring of aquatic pathogens ”. KOA Biotech, a spin-off of the Pompeu Fabra University initiated by a group of PhDs in Biology, offers a digital, autonomous and in situ testing technology for fish farms to reduce fish mortality. An innovative technology that will revolutionize fish health and the economics of fish farms, and reduce their environmental impact worldwide.
3. Nuage therapeutics (Nuage tx). An industrial PhD project in collaboration with the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona): “ Study of the molecular basis of the selectivity of molecules targeting intrinsically disordered proteins in biomolecular condensates ”. Nuage Therapeutics, a biotechnology start-up founded in 2021 in Barcelona, aims to transform advanced scientific discoveries into a technological platform to develop effective treatments for cancer and other incurable diseases. Born as a spin-off of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) of Barcelona and the Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (Icrea), it focuses on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), traditionally inaccessible but associated with several uncovered diseases. Its innovative technology allows these proteins to be transiently ordered to make them susceptible to inhibition by drugs, combining principles of biophysics and cell biology to identify therapeutic molecules that modulate IDPs.
4. Insylo. An industrial PhD project in collaboration with the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC): “ Big data for the optimization of the feed distribution chain in animal production farms and a second with the University of Girona (UdG): “ Methods and techniques for the reconstruction of volumes of stored materials and weight inference ”. Insylo, a 'deeptech' company from Girona, is revolutionizing animal fattening through digitalization. Its technology integrates 3D imaging, sensors and mathematical algorithms to automate the replenishment of feed silos, thus improving efficiency and management in the livestock sector.
5. Nimble Diagnostics. An industrial doctoral project in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC): “ Development of the nimble system for the early identification of structural and pathological issues with implanted stents in cardiovascular patients “. Nimble Diagnostics, a spin-off of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and the University of Barcelona (UB), has developed an innovative medical device that monitors stents using microwaves, a technology that can save thousands of lives.
6. Oniria Therapeutics. Two industrial PhD projects in collaboration with the University of Barcelona (UB): " Modulation of the activity of the epigenetic enzyme tet2 as a novel strategy to overcome cancer persistence " and " Design, synthesis and biophysical characterization of tet2 inhibitors ". Oniria Therapeutics, located in the Barcelona Science Park, is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to precision oncology, fighting the persistence of cancer, one of the main causes of mortality. Founded in 2021, this spin-off has overcome the difficulties in attracting specialized talent by expanding the search for professionals in the international arena.
