Humans change. So do the technologies that accompany us. And according to Oliver Henares (Sabadell, 1979), co-founder and CSO of Mimetik, this is the order in which things should happen. He believes technology should adapt to people, never the other way around. Together with his brother Rubén, who comes from Apple’s R&D team in the United States, he founded Mimetik, a creative AI boutique. The project gave rise to Futuros (futuros.io), a “future design” platform that analyses trends and builds scenarios to help people make strategic decisions.

Oliver sums up his professional journey in his own words: “More than twenty years in strategy, innovation and branding, both agency-side and client-side: Serviceplan Hamburg, Restalia and Serunion.”

In this interview, he talks about the subjective nature of happiness and success, why a professional role model must first and foremost be a good person, and the parallels between being a father and building a business.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

OH: To enable any team to shape its future with the same level of rigour that was once only available to large corporations with dedicated foresight departments. At Mimetik, we build tools to augment people, not replace them; Futuros is the first.

TB: What stage is the project at, and where do you see yourself in two years?

OH: Futuros went to market on 30 September 2026 and already has its first client projects. In two years, Rubén and I, as co-founders, see Mimetik as a new-generation company that uses AI responsibly and honestly to augment people, not replace them. We also want to keep asking ourselves not just whether something can be done, but whether it should be done. A technology company with soul and values, and one of the smaller but leading players in creativity, innovation and development, supporting people and leading the process from A to Z.

TB: What key decision has shaped your project?

OH: Founding Mimetik with Rubén, my business partner and brother, who comes from Apple’s R&D team in the United States. Together, we bring strategy, creativity and technical expertise into a team that has been the perfect fit from day one.

TB: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and what has it taught you?

OH: Being a father, without a doubt. It’s the biggest challenge and the greatest learning experience: it teaches you patience, how to prioritise what really matters, and how to make decisions without having everything figured out — exactly what entrepreneurship demands, too.

TB: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

OH: “Find your own version of happiness.” It’s easy to lose sight of it amid other people’s expectations, and it’s what guides me best in every decision, both personal and professional.

TB: Have you changed your mind about anything over time?

OH: Almost everything I took for granted ten years ago. Changing your mind isn’t a weakness; it’s what allows you to keep learning.

TB: Who is a professional role model who inspires you, and why?

OH: Rafa Soto. I have very few role models because, to me, a role model must first and foremost be a good person, as well as an excellent professional. A great professional who isn’t a good person is no role model at all.

TB: What do you value most in the people you work with?

OH: That they’re good people, with values and sound human judgement; that they want to do business by doing good and enjoy what they do. And that they’re as different from me as possible: people from other fields, with opposing opinions. And above all, that they’re a little crazy.

TB: Which technology will shape the future?

OH: Technology that breaks through the physical limitations of the body and gives people back a normal life. When the body fails but the mind and spirit are still there, technology should make it possible to walk, see, hear, speak, do the shopping, lift a child and hug them again. With exoskeletons and AI, it’s hard for me to understand why, in 2026, people are still held back by physical and architectural barriers. AI is just one piece of the puzzle; what matters is restoring autonomy.

TB: Which startup or company will shape the future?

OH: More than startups, I admire the people behind them and am interested in following their journeys. We’re living through an explosive moment for startups, but there’s also a lot of noise, and success doesn’t always go to those who deserve it most. Right now, the person I’m most interested in following is Mira Murati, because of the independence with which she has chosen to forge her own path and her decision to turn down Mark Zuckerberg.

TB: What do you do to switch off?

OH: Snowboarding or Muay Thai — sports that demand your full attention and clear your mind.

TB: A book you would recommend.

OH: ‘Do Nothing’, by Celeste Headlee. 

TB: A song that captures your current stage in life.

OH: ‘Symmetry Systems’, by 36. 

TB: A recipe, dish or restaurant.

OH: A restaurant: Azurmendi.

TB: A place in the world.

OH: Anywhere my family is.

TB: Where would you invest €100,000?

OH: In my son, Noah. I can’t think of a better investment.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

OH: Exactly the same person. What you do isn’t who you are, and it doesn’t define you completely.

TB: What does Tech Barcelona mean to you?

OH: A meeting point and a place for human connection, something essential in a technology sector that can sometimes feel too cold. A generator of opportunities for everyone, and a place we were really keen to become part of.