Growing up in the Swedish countryside and spending summers in the Mediterranean fostered Sebastian Stockzelius’ (Uppsala, 1993) deep connection to nature. Witnessing the alarming deterioration of the oceans due to human impact fueled his determination to make a difference. This expat entrepreneur –working from BlueTechPort at Tech Barcelona’s Pier01-  with a degree in Business and Finance is the co-founder and CEO of Janah Cycle, an impact tech startup adressing the global pollution crisis by offering companies a solution to offset their plastic footprint. Its model enables Western brands to initiate plastic recovery initiatives and social empowerment actions, particularly in disadvantaged areas requiring immediate intervention.

“Everything is possible; the impossible just takes longer.”

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

SS: We empower global collaboration through technology to eliminate plastic pollution wherever impactful change is needed.

TB: Where do you see yourself and your projects in two years?

SS: Founded in October 2023, Janah is still an early-stage startup with big ambitions. Our goal is to prevent 1 billion kg of plastic from entering the oceans by 2035 and, in the next two years, we aim to become experts at ingesting reality into a data ecosystem.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

SS: Johann and I booking our first tickets to India, traveling from the north to the south of the country, and experiencing what led us onto the journey of founding Janah.

TB: What is the greatest challenge you have faced?

SS: Starting a business in Spain and navigating the landscape of necessary paperwork and legal understanding, especially when almost everything is in Spanish or Catalan, all while fitting it into our strategy.

TB: The best advice you’ve been given.

SS: Don’t overthink it, just do it. Thinking long and hard is good in many cases but sometimes its all about execution.

TB: A professional role model who inspires you.

SS: Charles Simonetti, an old friend and colleague from Criteo, was one of the first individuals we explained the concept of Janah to. He helped us kick-start our early sales efforts and later advised me to reach out to Tech Barcelona. And the rest, as they say, is history.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

SS: Generative AI and large lenguage models (LLMs) will reshape how we live, work and do business.

TB: In-person or remote?

SS: A combination, for sure. Having the flexibility of traveling and working from wherever you are is a huge bonus for most employees. But it’s important not to get too distant from the social aspect of meeting up in an office and having fun outside the virtual world.

TB: A startup or company.

SS: SpaceX revolutionized the rocket launch industry with its reusable rockets. Besides providing cheaper and more frequent access to space, SpaceX has also opened the door for a new generation of space exploration. Exciting.

TB: How do you unwind?

SS: Climbing, kickboxing or just taking a stroll in beautiful Barcelona are my go-to choices when I need to relax and clear my mind.

TB: A book to recommend.

SS: Being a history buff from Sweden, one of the first books I ever read was “The Heritage of Gustav Vasa” by Lars-Olof Larsson. Gustav Vasa liberated Sweden in the early 1500s and is considered the founding father.

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

SS: First thing that comes to mind is “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

SS: IKEA, why not.

TB: A place in the world.

SS: My summerhouse in Sweden, located next to a lake surrounded by forests and historic value. It is a true touch of nature. We will open our bed & breakfast doors for the first guests in 2025.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

SS: If you asked me a year ago, I would probably say Bitcoin, but since that ship has sailed, I will say Janah.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

SS: I would be restless.

TB: What does Tech Barcelona mean to you?

SS: Community and entrepreneurial empowerment giving access to opportunities every founder needs to accomplish their goals.

Luis Ruiz-Ávila (Salamanca, 1963) is a key figure in the history of the biotechnological sector in Catalonia.

Although he humbly speaks of having had a “more or less dignified” academic career, the truth is that this Doctor in Molecular Biology dedicated his first ten years of professional career to research for CSIC, UB, or Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, among other internationally renowned centers. Then, in 1998, he transitioned to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, managing projects for Almirall and other pioneering companies such as ERA-Biotech and Advancell.

In his mission to “create value from knowledge,” in 2008 he founded Janus Developments, a company focused on acquiring academic projects, their technical maturation, and subsequent licensing, which was acquired by Ferrer and ultimately led to Spherium. Since then, Luis, as the “valley of death enthusiast” he is, has been involved in early-stage biotech spin-offs as a mentor, business angel, or director through Janus Project. And he does so from the coworking space at Pier07 in Tech Barcelona.

TB: What is the purpose of your projects?

LR: In all of them, I always try to transform biomedical knowledge into economic and social value. Currently, with operational responsibility, I am the CEO of Leukos – a spin-off from the Josep Carreras Institute entering the clinical phase to treat tumors – and executive chairman of Aquilón – a spin-off from the University of León developing veterinary vaccines.

TB: Where do you see yourself and your projects in two years?

LR: While Leukos will begin its clinical development this year, hoping to have completed efficacy demonstration in two years, Aquilón has just submitted the registration for its first globally impactful vaccine.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

LR: Leaving academic ‘wet’ research to explore business management in 1998.

TB: What is the greatest challenge you have faced?

LR: Always, always, always, finding, retaining, and empowering good teams. The rest is literature.

TB: The best advice you’ve been given.

LR: Never give up, life begins anew every day. I was told this by a homeless person sleeping in the doorway of my house when I was 15.

TB: A professional role model who inspires you.

LR: My first boss at Laboratorios Knickerbocker in the 80s, Pilar Urdániz, and Antonio Parente, from BCN-Peptides and GP-Pharma, whose work ethic and judgment I admire.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

LR: Nuclear fusion. When we have unlimited energy, if we achieve it, the rules of the game will change completely. Until now, our entire civilization has been marked by the struggle for resources.

TB: In-person or remote?

LR: A balance: remote is efficient, in-person provides balance and mental health. We are social animals.

TB: A startup or company.

LR: I collaborate with Biointaxis, Heecap, Affirma, Kintsugi, and Diversa, and I do it because I am enthusiastic about their projects and teams.

TB: What do you do to disconnect?

LR: I grab my kayak and go fishing.

TB: A book to recommend.

LR: “Más árboles que ramas” by Jorge Wagensberg, and an adult reading of “Alice in Wonderland.”

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

LR: OnePiece: the anime, but especially the physical version on Netflix.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

LR: Any grilled meat, Argentine-style. As for restaurants, I’m not very gourmet; any “all you can eat” Japanese place works for me.

TB: A place in the world.

LR: I have a very idealized memory of the lakes around San Martín de los Andes in Argentina. Being practical, Sant Pol de Mar.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

LR: I’m a terrible investor, I prioritize the emotional over the financial. I would use it to help start a challenging project driven by people I could potentially admire.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

LR: I love teaching and research. I suppose I would have tried the university world.

TB: What does Tech Barcelona mean to you?

LR: Speaking of Pier07, it’s a place to interact with key figures in the current and future biomedical ecosystem in Barcelona. And also a space to impress friends, colleagues, partners, or investors.

Ingeniero informático de formación pero poco atraído por la programación pura y dura, Jaume Feliu (Manresa, 1978) decidió reorientar su carrera profesional hacia una vertiente más legal y comercial, siempre manteniendo, eso sí, su vínculo con la tecnología. Hace diez años, y tras pasar por diferentes despachos, Jaume cofundó PymeLegal, una consultora especializada en protección de datos y propiedad intelectual que brinda apoyo tanto a pymes y autónomos como a grandes corporaciones y entidades públicas.

TB: ¿Cuál es el propósito de tu proyecto?

JF: Queremos ayudar a las empresas en el cumplimiento normativo en el ámbito de la privacidad, la propiedad intelectual y el derecho tecnológico, acompañándoles en todo el proceso mediante una plataforma propia y un creciente equipo de diez personas.

TB: ¿En qué momento se encuentra y dónde lo ves dentro de dos años?

JF: Consolidados como empresa de referencia en el sector y con una nueva plataforma online que estamos desarrollando.

TB: Una buena idea que has tenido.

JF: Este proyecto en sí mismo ha sido una excelente idea. Aunque supone un reto diario, estoy muy orgulloso de él.

TB: ¿Cúal es el mayor desafío al que te has enfrentado?

JF: La separación de un socio.

TB: El mejor consejo que te han dado.

JF: No tener miedo a la competencia. Y sacar partido a los errores.

TB: Un referente profesional que te inspire.

JF: El emprendedor y fundador de Raisethebar.tech Alex Caudet, quien nos asesora a nivel estratégico, se ha convertido en una especie de socio en la sombra para mí.

TB: Una tecnología que marcará el futuro.

JF: La inteligencia artificial.

TB: ¿Presencial o remoto?

JF: Opto por un enfoque híbrido.

TB: Una startup o compañía.

JF: Typeform.

TB: ¿Qué haces para desconectar?

JF: Correr. Me permite despejar la mente.

TB: Un libro para recomendar.

JF: “La semana laboral de 4 horas”, de Tim Ferriss.

TB: Una serie, película o canción que defina tu momento vital.

JF: La película “Algunos hombres buenos”.

TB: Una receta, un restaurante.

JF: Recomiendo el restaurante Xemei en Barcelona, conocido por su comida veneciana.

TB: Un lugar del mundo.

JF: Cadaqués.

TB: ¿Dónde invertirías 100k?

JF: Personalmente, consideraría invertirlos en fondos indexados.

TB: Si no fueras emprendedor…

JF: Ahora no contemplo otra opción.

TB: ¿Qué es para ti Tech Barcelona?

JF: Tech Barcelona es un importante foro de encuentro dentro del sector tecnológico en la ciudad. Talento y networking.

Ariadna Font Llitjós (Barcelona, 1974) left Twitter in November 2022 after receiving that famous email from Elon Musk, the tech mogul who stormed into what’s now called ‘X’, laying off over 3,000 employees. Until then, ‘Ari’, with a Ph.D. in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence in the United States, had been leading Twitter’s Machine Learning platform for over 3 years as Director of Engineering. In fact, she established responsible AI as a primary goal in the company, allowing her to expand the ethics team with leading engineers and researchers in the field. Previously, she also worked as Director of Engineering at IBM, developing the first generation of AI applications.

After leaving Twitter, however, she left the blue bird behind to fly and start her own venture. ‘Ari’ Font is the co-founder and CEO of Alinia, a startup that uses advanced technologies and open-source LLMs to tailor content generated by these models to companies’ policies and values.

On the occasion of MWC-4YFN 2024, from Tech Barcelona, we took advantage of our agreement with LEVEL Airlines to bring Ari Font from New York; because we couldn’t miss the opportunity to speak with a ‘local hero’ from Barcelona with such international impact.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

AF: Our mission is to help companies move beyond experimenting with LLMs to capture the real value of these technologies with tangible impact, both in terms of short-term return on investment and in making the internet a safer place.

TB: Where is it currently and where do you see it in two years?

AF: We raised a pre-seed round before Christmas and just hired the seventh and final member of the founding team. In two years, I hope to have found a good product-market fit, with over 1,000 customers and a team of 50 excellent professionals, more than half of whom are in Barcelona.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

AF: Having our first offsite in Cadaqués.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

AF: Without a doubt, starting a business. Although I have many years of experience in the tech world, when starting a business, you have to be willing and prepared to do everything and learn everything. And if necessary, unlearn first, as what works in established companies probably won’t work in a startup with seven people.

TB: The best advice you’ve been given.

AF: “You already have the ‘no’, now go for the ‘yes’.” And, “not everything is as bad as it seems, nor is it as good as it seems.”

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

AF: Anna Navarro Schlegel is unstoppable!

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

AF: LLMs and generative AI. They are already shaping the present, and there is still a long way to go.

TB: In-person or remote?

AF: Hybrid.

TB: A startup or company.

AF: On, the Swiss sneaker startup, for the culture it adopted from the beginning.

TB: What do you do to unwind?

AF: During the day, I go for walks with my dogs, and at night, I spend time with my family and watch movies.

TB: A book to recommend.

AF: Well, since we’re going full throttle: “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.

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

AF: “Wild”.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

AF: I would normally say “pa amb tomàquet,” but with “llesca de pa de pagès.” However, today I have to choose the tasting menu at the Nectari restaurant.

TB: A place in the world.

AF: Barcelona.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

AF: I would invest half in badass founders who break all the molds, even that of the founder. And the other half in traveling around the world, getting to know and understand new cultures and places.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

AF: I would have joined another startup as a founding member, taking care of the product and user experience part. Something I do quite often and enjoy is acting as a “professional and life coach.”

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

AF: The entrepreneurial ecosystem of my city and a great support network, as well as the perfect excuse to come to Barcelona more often. Thank you!

En 2022, hizo las maletas. Cargada de su experiencia como abogada, especialista en negocios digitales y propiedad intelectual, un curso de programación y muchas ganas de conocer mundo, Daniela Buxó (Buenos Aires, 1993) llegó a Europa para seguir aprendiendo… y emprender. ‘Dani’ es la cofundadora de Wild Studio, una agencia digital y creativa de diseño ideada en París, presente en Barcelona y Buenos Aires, y con ambición global.

TB: ¿Cuál es el propósito de tu proyecto?

DB: Acompañar a emprendedores y empresas en el desarrollo de su marca para que logren sus objetivos de negocio. Desde la creación de una identidad visual, hasta el diseño UX/UI y de contenido en movimiento. Trabajamos de forma colaborativa para que nuestros clientes puedan estar involucrados en cada paso del proceso, garantizando que el producto final satisface sus necesidades y supera sus expectativas.

TB: ¿En qué momento se encuentra y dónde lo ves dentro de dos años?

DB: Wild Studio está en una etapa inicial; empezamos hace año y medio, aproximadamente. En 2 años queremos que la agencia esté bien posicionada en el mercado europeo y tener clientes de tamaño medio.

TB: Una buena idea que has tenido.

DB: Ir a estudiar a Europa una vez terminé mi máster. Me abrió mucho la mente y cambió mi forma de pensar y ver los negocios. Gracias a eso, además, conocí a Belu, mi socia y también cofundadora de Wild.

TB: ¿Cúal es el mayor desafío al que te has enfrentado?

DB: Claramente, ¡emigrar! Parece fácil pero no lo es. Irte de tu país es algo súper difícil en muchos sentidos.

TB: El mejor consejo que te han dado.

DB: Misión sin ejecución es alucinación.

TB: Una tecnología que marcará el futuro.

DB: Claramente, la tecnología blockchain.

TB: ¿Presencial o remoto?

DB: Full remoto.

TB: Una startup o compañía.

DB: Heura Foods.

TB: ¿Qué haces para desconectar?

DB: Juego al pádel. Siempre he sido una apasionada del deporte: hockey, waterpolo, baloncesto…

TB: Un libro para recomendar.

DB: “Harry Potter”, la mejor historia del mundo.

TB: Una serie, película o canción que defina tu momento vital.

DB: “Flowers”, de Miley Cyrus.

TB: Una receta, un restaurante.

DB: Cualquier cafetería con de cafecitos de especialidad.  También el Flax and Kale.

TB: Un lugar del mundo.

DB: Bali, Indonesia.

TB: ¿Dónde invertirías 100k?

DB: Creo que en un inmueble.

TB: Si no fueras emprendedora…

DB: Sería deportista profesional.

TB: ¿Qué es para ti Tech Barcelona?

DB: Un espacio para conectar con otros emprendedores del mundo de la tecnología.

PhD in Physics, industrial engineer and holder of a Masters in Business Administration from ESADE and a Masters in Management from IESE. José Luís Martín (Barcelona, 1955) has extensive training that complements his more than 30 years of experience in technology industries, sales and operations of major corporations. A background that makes this passionate about innovation and technology an ally in business transformation and, from the beginning of 2023, the director for Europe of the global technology consultancy Beyond Technology.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

JL: We seek to generate well-being and significance for the ecosystem as a whole. Our engineers are fully qualified, with more than 82 certifications in key technologies, to contribute to the transformation of companies based on the implementation of new technologies in their business processes. A service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and in more than 80 countries.

TB: Where do you see your project at the moment and where do you see it in two years’ time?

JL: We are in a phase of consolidating important alliances and partnerships that will give us strength in Europe. In two years we will be doing integrations in all corners of the continent with strategic partners such as Juniper, Amazon, VNWare or Google.

TB: A good idea you have had.

JL: Joining my experience to a company with great drive and vitality such as Beyond Technology.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

JL: The continuing challenge of breaking down the reluctance of management teams to implement new technologies in organisations.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever been given.

JL: Be master of your silences and you will never be a slave to your words.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

JL: Jorge Mandujano, Chairman at Beyond Technology.

TB: On-site or remote?

JL: Face-to-face, especially for moments of truth. Remote for everything else. The hybrid world is here to stay.

TB: A startup or company.

JL: HR Bot Factory, for the integration of AI into its operating model.

TB: What do you do to unwind?

JL: Drive only for hours, preferably on a motorbike.

TB: A book to recommend.

JL: “Serendipity”, by Leslie Greenberg.

TB: A series, film or song that defines your moment in life.

JL: “Interstellar”.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

JL: Home-cooked meal at Casa Trampa restaurant in Barcelona.

TB: A place in the world.

JL: Barcelona.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

JL: Half in two innovative sustainability startup projects. And the other in Bitcoin.

TB: If you were not a manager…

JL: I would be a teacher in management programmes.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

JL: It is a platform that brings together the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. It allows us to be in contact and understand the needs and requirements of other entrepreneurs, as well as to get to know in depth the value offer of many companies that are complementary in the value chains of our own business.

Cristina Sabadell (Barcelona, 1967) walks a different path. The one that takes an industry, traditionally intensive with the planet, towards sustainability, ecology and responsibility towards the environment. And she does so by wearing Vegtus, a Barcelona-based fashion and sneaker brand made from cactus leather.

With a degree in Organisational Psychology and a Master’s degree in Marketing Management from ESADE, Cristina Sabadell has extensive experience as a manager in multinational companies and more than 15 years in the fashion and footwear sector. It is from 2020 that she embarks on this new journey.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

CS: To break the patterns of fashion as we know it, aspiring not only to set new standards of style, but also to inspire a conscious revolution.

TB: Where do you see your project at the moment and where do you see it in two years’ time?

CS: After 3 years, we are in full expansion of the company and we continue to build a solid team that is up to the project [in 2023, the brand received a participative loan of 400,000 euros from Avançsa to grow in Europe and America]. Our goal is to be a benchmark in sustainable fashion.

TB: A good idea you have had.

CS: The name of our brand, which derives from the words VEGan and CacTUS. My goal was to create a name that was short, memorable, easy to pronounce in any language and coherent with the project.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

CS: To find the right sustainable material for our project. A material that was original, innovative and that would allow the development of our collections. Cactus leather became a real discovery, the philosopher’s stone that allows us today to produce trainers with just one litre of water, compared to the 8,000 litres required for those of animal origin. From here we built the name of the brand and its characteristic symbol, the cactus.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever been given.

CS: Always be yourself. The beauty of our project lies in its authenticity, in building a brand with soul, in which people can see their desires reflected and become part of the community.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

CS: I admire the profile of the entrepreneur. For their vision, resilience, energy and leadership.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

CS: Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence, although we are far from knowing its scope.

TB: On-site or remote?

CS: I am in favour of a hybrid format, with a higher percentage of face-to-face meetings. In a fashion start-up like ours, things happen every day that require immediate and creative group decisions. Efficiency is multiplied in a group.

TB: A startup or company.

CS: Sateliot.

TB: What do you do to unwind?

CS: Practising yoga, reading, cooking, walking in nature and being with my people completely disconnects me.

TB: A book to recommend.

CS: “Who moved my cheese?”, by Spencer Johnson. It tells how to adapt to a constantly changing world.

TB: A series, film or song that defines your moment in life.

CS: “Don’t Stop Me Now”, by Queen.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

CS: Paella de Galeres at Restaurant Miquel, in Cambrils, Tarragona.

TB: A place in the world.

CS: Barcelona. It has the 4 C’s: climate, culture, cuisine and quality of life.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

CS: At Vegtus.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

CS: I am a psychologist, although I don’t think I have ever stopped practising.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

CS: A brilliant idea to connect Barcelona’s business fabric.

Fintech, proptech and contech: the technological triad that builds “the house of your dreams”. José Manuel Martínez Vázquez (Vancouver, 1969) is the CEO and co-founder of the startup Build Lovers, a real estate self-promotion platform that controls everything from the initial financing of the project to the installation of prefabricated modules on the right plot. This graduate in Economics and Business Studies, MBA from IESE and co-founder of Opencasa, has an extensive professional career linked to technological innovation in sectors such as mobility and real estate.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

JM: We seek to help people who want to build a sustainable, efficient and healthy home with a simplified, agile, transparent and secure process. All through our platform specialising in real estate self-promotion. In addition, we are also helping to improve the digitalisation of the single-family home building sector.

TB: Where do you see your project at the moment and where do you see it in two years’ time?

JM: In the Product Market Fit stage. Building houses, designing standardised models and developing the technological platform. And we are also closing a financing round for which we already have a lead investor. In 2 years, we see ourselves operating in three countries.

TB: A good idea you have had.

JM: Surround myself with good people.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

JM: Parenthood and the development of international entrepreneurship.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever been given.

JM: “There is no worse management than not doing”. I have made it my motto when I hesitate between doing and not doing. It’s another way of saying: try, get it wrong and correct it quickly.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

JM: The late entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn. His work focuses on goal setting and continuous self-improvement. I am also inspired by my parents, a true example at home, where they have passed on to me the spirit of self-improvement and improvement of a generation that had it very hard.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

JM: AI, of course. But not for today’s functionalities, but, above all, for those we do not yet know.

TB: On-site or remote?

JM: Both. We are still human and very social beings, so the combination of models is necessary and effective. Used well, they feed back into each other.

TB: A startup or company.

JM: ByteDance, the technology and communications company best known for owning TikTok. They are focusing both on technology and, less well known, on human biology and chemistry.

TB: What do you do to unwind?

JM: I go running and trekking with friends who don’t stop talking. And, well, I also belong to a wine tasting club… Cheers!

TB: A book to recommend.

JM: “Atomic Habits by James Clear. It has made me discover the power of good little actions that can significantly improve our lives, as well as being aware of the dark side of bad habits. An alternative? I’m hooked on audiobooks.

TB: A series, film or song that defines your moment in life.

JM: The film “In Pursuit of Happiness”.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

JM: Italian pasta with a good sauce is always a hit. And the Uruguayan restaurant “El Boliche del Gordo Cabrera” in Barcelona.

TB: A place in the world.

JM: San Francisco, Santiago de Compostela and Santiago de Chile.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

JM: In going around the world and, if I have enough to spare, in personal training.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

JM: I would help other entrepreneurs. Although I already do that.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

JM: A meeting point for entrepreneurs and interesting and talented people to collaborate and exchange unique life experiences.

After more than 15 years in the financial and insurance sector, it was her passion for entrepreneurship and innovation that led Ana Zamora (Madrid, 1978) to co-found and lead Vitaance. With its offices spread between Tech Barcelona’s Pier01 and Madrid, the startup launched in 2021 by Antai Ventures aims to improve employee wellbeing. Because…

“…I believe that wellbeing is an integral concept, which encompasses the physical, mental, social and spiritual, so taking care of all these aspects is essential to feel full and happy. Even at work.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

AZ: Improving people’s lives. As we spend a third of our lives at work, feeling that our company cares about us and helps us to be better is crucial. We equip companies with the tools to achieve this in a pragmatic and effective way, demonstrating that wellbeing is an investment with a measurable return.

TB: Where do you see your project at the moment and where do you see it in two years’ time?

AZ: In February 2023 we raised a new seed funding round of €2.2 million that has taken us into a phase of growth and expansion. The importance of the problem we solve is evident, and equates to the high valuation of our customers and users. So now is the time to take Vitaance and corporate wellness to every corner of the globe.

TB: A good idea you have had.

AZ: Surround myself with a great team, very diverse and complementary to each other.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

AZ: Identify when a change of course is needed and when hard and difficult decisions have to be taken.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever been given.

AZ: Trust your instincts.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

AZ: Martine Ferland, Mercer’s Global CEO, was the first truly humble and approachable CEO I have ever met. She is as bright as she is hard-working and genuinely cares about her team.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

AZ: Undoubtedly generative AI: it will be a bigger leap than smartphones.

TB: On-site or remote?

AZ: If I had to get down to it, I’d be in person.

TB: A startup or company.

AZ: My answer may come as a surprise. But I choose Microsoft. It is the most profitable and forward-looking technology company available to very few.

TB: What do you do to unwind?

AZ: Sport! If what I’m looking for is relaxation, a walk in nature is unbeatable. And if I need to activate my mind to be more productive, nothing like a good weight training session, preferably outdoors.

TB: A book to recommend.

AZ: I have just reread, by Kim Scott.

TB: A series, film or song that defines your moment in life.

AZ: “Lessons in Chemistry”, Apple Original.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

AZ: Potato omelette. And I love the restaurant Qálido, in Madrid.

TB: A place in the world.

AZ: The mountains of Madrid, specifically La Pedriza.

TB:Where would you invest 100k?

AZ: In a startup dedicated to padel (still in stealth).

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

AZ: I would be a nutritionist or life coach.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

AZ: A space to meet other female entrepreneurs and a vibrant technology ecosystem in one of the best cities in the world.

Ganar el premio a la Millor Startup Catalana de l’Any 2021 es sinónimo de calidad emprendedora e impacto positivo en la sociedad. Tomàs Lóbez (Barcelona, 1995) es el CEO y fundador de Nixi for Children, una startup que desarrolla experiencias de realidad virtual que ayudan a los pacientes pediátricos y sus familias a reducir la ansiedad en los hospitales. Formado en diseño gráfico, pronto se enamoró de la realidad virtual, y dedicó su primera etapa profesional a buscar el impacto social mediante esta tecnología.

“Nixi nació como un proyecto final de carrera, en el que pudimos identificar esta necesidad en los quirófanos. El primer prototipo no tenía la apariencia que tiene ahora, pero fue suficiente para convencer al primer hospital que podían confiar en la capacidad del proyecto”.

TB: ¿Cuál es el propósito de tu proyecto?

TL: Acortar la brecha entre la información y los niños. El primero objetivo es acercarlos al quirófano y reducir su ansiedad con realidad virtual. Miramos qué tecnología tiene más sentido para cada tipo de paciente.

TB: ¿En qué momento se encuentra y dónde lo ves dentro de dos años?

TL: En una fase de crecimiento. Justo hemos acabado la fase de validación, en la que hemos tenido ensayos clínicos y casos de uso exitosos. Y ahora estamos replicando el modelo hacia otras áreas de la salud y escalando el proyecto a nivel internacional, poniendo el foco en Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica. En dos años, nos gustaría ver a Nixi trabajando en un sentido más amplio, no sólo con niños enfermos.

TB: Una buena idea que has tenido.

TL: Empezar pequeño, paso a paso, y no querer abarcar más de lo que podía en cada momento. Y dejarme llevar por la intuición.

TB: ¿Cúal es el mayor desafío al que te has enfrentado?

TL: La conciliación personal y laboral.

TB: El mejor consejo que te han dado.

TL: Confiar en las personas y dar oportunidades a aquellas que tienen talento. Y muchas veces no es la persona más obvia, la más preparada o con mejor currículum. El éxito depende de las personas que tenemos dentro del equipo.

TB: Un referente profesional que te inspire.

TL: Verena del Valle, psicóloga Child Life catalano-suiza que fue pionera en este campo cuando aquí aún no existía. Debería haber más personas así en el sector de la salud.

TB: Una tecnología que marcará el futuro.

TL: La IA.

TB: ¿Presencial o remoto?

TL: Presencial.

TB: Una startup o compañía.

TL: Heura. Es muy interesante su enfoque a nivel de marca: rebeldes por una buena causa.

TB: ¿Qué haces para desconectar?

TL: Volar en parapente.

TB: Un libro para recomendar.

TL: “Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth”, de Buckminster Fuller.

TB: Una serie, película o canción que defina tu momento vital.

TL: En la oficina nos ponemos la banda sonora de “Interstellar” para trabajar. Y también recomiendo “Man on Wire”, el documental del funambulista que caminó sobre un alambre entre las torres gemelas.

TB: Una receta, un restaurante.

TL: Si sólo pudiera comer una cosa en mi vida, serían los espaguetis a la carbonara.

TB: Un lugar del mundo.

TL: Sant Llorenç de Montgai. Tendría una casa de pueblo allí.

TB: ¿Dónde invertirías 100k?

TL: Montaría mi propia fundación.

TB: Si no fueras emprendedor…

TL: Me gustaría identificar problemas y generar ideas. Ya fuera en IDEO o en cualquier lugar que me permitiera tener ideas como creativo publicitario. Aunque eso me generaría dilemas éticos.

TB: ¿Qué es para ti Tech Barcelona?

TL: Otros emprendedores y emprendedoras que están pasando por lo mismo. Un espacio donde nos podemos apoyar mútuamente.