Nina Alastruey (Barcelona, “before the iPhone”) is one of those people who have experienced the evolution of the city’s technological ecosystem first-hand. In 2006, split between San Francisco and Barcelona, she founded TheChanner, the first social live TV platform for mobile phones. This was followed by Eelp! to help busy people save time, and Motovoy, an app for managing motorcycle maintenance from your phone. With all this experience, she made the leap into the world of investment with Demium, a vehicle with a portfolio of more than 150 European start-ups. She is a mentor to the European Union’s EIC Scaling Club, where she continues to accompany high-impact scale-ups.

Now, she is raising a fund to invest in deep tech. And although she cannot reveal much yet, she tells us that it will focus on sustainable development in agrifood and nutrition startups.

TB: What is the goal of your project?

NA: To help local talent set up globally successful companies in sustainable agri-food technologies.

TB: What stage is the project at and where do you see it in two years’ time?

NA: The investment fund is being set up to start operating in 2026. By 2027, we will have invested in several start-ups.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

NA: Those of my three start-ups.

TB: What has been your biggest challenge?

NA: Paying the payroll during difficult times of financing.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever received.

NA: Don’t let getting off track keep you awake at night.

TB: A role model.

NA: My partner Clara: powerful, smart, tireless and always smiling.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

NA: The one we will implant in living beings.

TB: A startup or company.

NA: Many… All those that have a purpose to improve people’s lives without abusing them.

TB: What helps you disconnect?

NA: A glass of red wine with friends.

TB: A book to recommend.

NA: A novel set in Barcelona, such as “The Shadow of the Wind”. Impressive.

TB: A series, film or song that defines your life right now.

NA: ‘Clint Eastwood’, by Gorillaz.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

NA: Fried piparres. As for a restaurant or bar, Entrepanes Díaz.

TB: A place in the world.

NA: London.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

NA: In technology that would enable cultivation in desert areas with few resources. But I would invest more money.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur or investor…

NA: I would teach people how to set up businesses to get ahead in the simplest way possible.

TB: What does Tech Barcelona mean to you?

NA: The first powerful association that existed. A place to provide services, consult and network within our technology industry.