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.

“This Black Friday you can get a year’s worth of clothes for free”, said Nuria Gutiérrez (Barcelona, 2001) in a recent viral TikTok. Only the new generations could combine the role of CMO and, at the same time, be the visible face in networks of CoastBcn: the brand of sweatshirts, T-shirts and trousers created in Barcelona, with the sea and freedom as the main protagonists.

A LEINN graduate from the University of Mondragón, Nuria decided to launch her own fashion ecommerce with her brother Carlos while she was still studying. Because it is never too early to start a business. And to succeed. Since its creation, the brand has already had a turnover of one and a half million euros.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

NG: Our aim is to offer quality garments at an affordable price, for a young public who love the coast and the sea.

TB: Where do you stand and where do you see it in two years’ time?

NG: Right now we are in a moment of transition: we have moved from producing on demand to working with stock to improve the customer experience. In 2 years’ time, we see ourselves with a much larger community and a physical presence, as right now our only sales channel is online.

TB: A good idea you have had.

NG: CoastBcn’s name.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

NG: Our main difficulty has been learning from scratch how to manage logistics with stock.

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

NG: When something scares you, do it anyway, because that’s where the best learning comes from. To evolve we have to get out of our comfort zone.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

NG: My brother and partner Carlos. He is one of the bravest and most persevering people I know. He is a clear example that with effort and desire you can achieve anything you want.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

NG: AI.

TB: On-site or remote?

NG: 100% face-to-face. It is true that remote can streamline many processes, but there is nothing like working hand in hand with your team.

TB: A startup or company.

NG: B3tter.

TB: What do you do to unwind?

NG: Spending time with people close to me: family, friends, partner…

TB: A book to recommend.

NG: “Encuentra tu persona vitamina”, by Marian Rojas.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

NG: Sushi restaurant “Akuma”.

TB: A place in the world.

NG: Costa Rica.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

NG: In talent for Coast.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

NG: I would be working in the education sector.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

NG: A community from which you can get very good contacts.

Nacido bajo la influencia de un pueblo costero, apasionado por la tecnología y el progreso humano. Si unes las pasiones de Pau Guasch Píriz (Torredembarra, 1982), junto a su formación en ingeniería industrial, energías renovables y obra marítima, obtienes una carrera profesional estrechamente ligada al mar, la tecnología y el emprendimiento. Tras cofundar cuatro compañías tecnológicas, ahora centra sus esfuerzos en Seabots, spin-off de GPAINNOVA dedicada al desarrollo de robótica marina y vehículos de superficie no tripulados (USV) para el análisis, conservación y restauración del medio marino.

TB: ¿Cuál es el propósito de tu proyecto?

PG: Facilitar la preservación marina mediante la robótica. El uso de tecnología nos debe ayudar a afrontar los retos ambientales, sociales y económicos de nuestros océanos.

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

PG: En 4 años hemos desplegado más de 40 robots en unas 200 misiones, recolectando información de mares y océanos. En pocos años más, nuestras costas estarán custodiadas por robots inteligentes que actuarán como satélites, facilitando la toma de decisiones y asegurando nuestros mares como fuente de progreso y bienestar.

TB: Una buena idea que has tenido.

PG: Fusionar pasión y propósito.

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

PG: Hasta el momento, ser padre.

TB: El mejor consejo que te han dado.

PG: “Vuelva usted mañana, el señor no se ha levantado todavía” [en referencia a la obra de Mariano José Larra].

TB: Un referente profesional que te inspire.

PG: Admiro a mi buen amigo y compañero de aventuras, Pau Sarsanedas. La resiliencia hecha persona.

TB: Una tecnología que marcará el futuro.

PG: La inteligencia artificial.

TB: ¿Presencial o remoto?

PG: De mente presente.

TB: Una startup o compañía.

PG: Neuralink, la empresa de neurotecnología de Elon Musk.

TB: ¿Qué haces para desconectar?

PG: Remar. Hacer deporte en contacto con la naturaleza.

TB: Un libro para recomendar.

PG: “Desobediencia civil y otros escritos”, de Henry Thoreau.

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

PG: “Little lion man”, de Mumford & Sons.

TB: Una receta, un restaurante.

PG: Me encanta disfrutar de sardinas y navajas a la brasa. Y también de la food truck Pepito Bravo, en Torredembarra.

TB: Un lugar del mundo.

PG: Punto Nemo, el lugar del óceano más remoto e inaccesible, localizado entre las islas Pitcairn, la Isla de Pascua y la Antártida.

TB: ¿Dónde invertirías 100k?

PG: Los destinaría a la educación y formación de mis hijos. Es una de las mejores inversiones que uno puede hacer.

TB: Si no fueras emprendedor…

PG: Lo intentaría de nuevo.

TB: ¿Qué es para ti Tech Barcelona?

PG: Una nueva galaxia.

From encouraging the recycling of cans and plastic bottles, to promoting circularity in supply chains and tracking port waste. All this is possible thanks to blockchain technology and, of course, to the ideas of this entrepreneur and her team. After more than 20 years linked to innovation and technological research projects, Denisa Gibovic (Sarajevo, 1975) is now the director and founder of Blue Room Innovation, a company that develops applications based on blockchain and dedicated to sustainability initiatives.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

DG: We want to be part of the circular economy revolution, using technology to build a more sustainable world. Our purpose is to accompany people in the transformation of their businesses towards sustainability.

TB: What is the current state of the project and where do you see it in two years’ time?

DG: After going through the creation of the first MVPs of our main technological solutions (RECICLOS, CircularTrust or CircularPort), this year we are at a point where the priority is to continue testing in real environments, piloting cases and learning how we can create more value for our clients. In two years we will be in full growth and we hope to be able to reach new industries with blockchain solutions that allow them to move quickly and agilely towards their sustainable development goals.

TB: A good idea you have had.

DG: Creating Blue Room Innovation. I am very happy to be able to lead a company with such a challenging and important purpose, both for us and for the next generations.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

DG: Although it is something that very few people know, I was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, spent my childhood in Sarajevo and my adolescence as a war refugee. I remember that time as a great challenge, as I could not feel the freedom that we all hope for at that vital moment in our development.

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

DG: I was very impressed by the advice of a former partner. His “never ever give up” is always with me and motivates me on difficult days.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

DG: One of my greatest references is Alfons Cornella, for his restless mind and his approach to innovation processes.He has inspired us and contributed a lot – and I’m sure he will continue to do so – during the creation of our projects.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

DG: Blockchain technology is the new revolution. A commitment to transparency, security and trust that will soon be available to everyone. That is what we are here for.

TB: In-person or remote?

DG: Meeting and sharing day-to-day life in person is essential if we are not to lose the more human side of relationships. Glances during a meeting, coffee conversations or brainstorming on a whiteboard are not the same on a screen. However, society is moving forward and teleworking is a reality that brings other advantages. Flexibility in this sense is important and adapting the organisation to offer this opportunity is a good option.

TB: A startup or company.

DG: Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a great reference when it comes to innovation and sustainability consulting. For us, who work with innovative digital instruments such as the digital product passport, it is a source of knowledge and inspiration.

TB: What do you do to disconnect?

DG: My moments of relaxation are sacred. I like to read, practice yoga regularly and enjoy walking on the beach and in the mountains.

TB: A book to recommend.

DG: “The Wild Palms” is a novel by William Faulkner that explores the desire for freedom and love in complex situations. The novel has a fragmented narrative structure and examines human relationships, sacrifices in the pursuit of freedom and fleeting happiness.

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

DG: Ibrahim Maalouf, born in Beirut in 1980 and based in Paris because of the war in Lebanon, is a contemporary jazz musician known for fusing diverse styles, including soul, pop, hip-hop and Arabic music. “True Story”, from the 2013 album “Illusions”, is a track that, like a rollercoaster, slowly rises to its instrumental peak, then returns again to the catchy leitmotif and rises again at the end. Spectacular.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

DG: I recommend the restaurant “Unagi” in Palamós. It is a Japanese restaurant, located a few streets away from the beach and the port, where I go very often. If you are fans of sushi and Japanese food you will not be disappointed.

TB: A place in the world.

DG: Mount Fuji and its natural and cultural environment fascinate me.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

DG: I would organise a charity gala to raise a scholarship fund for underprivileged children.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

DG: If I wasn’t an entrepreneur, I think I’d be going round in circles until I finally ended up becoming one. It sounds a bit redundant, but I can’t imagine my life any other way.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

DG: I see Tech Barcelona as a great ecosystem to meet, connect and grow professionally and personally. I believe in the power of connection and collaboration to think big and offer the world the best solutions to its problems.

Rapid digitisation in all sectors has created an urgency to legally certify the digital assets of companies and individuals, from documents to photos, videos or audios. And Mario Scalabrino (Rome, 1973), founder and CEO of Certifydoc, has chosen blockchain as his main ally to address this need. With a degree in Electronic Engineering and a master’s degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Mario worked as a former international software sales manager and served in the Italian Armed Forces as a forensic scientific researcher. Until, a decade ago, he decided to unite his passions and develop them from Barcelona.

“I am enthusiastic about science, nature, dancing, partying and people, but not necessarily in that order. I also love people who show tolerance, equality and respect for others”.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

MS: We are currently focused on our most ambitious and disruptive project to date. INRB is a SaaS cloud solution for data interoperability [the ability of systems to exchange data securely and automatically] with legal notarisation and blockchain traceability for multimodal transport operators. The ongoing digital transformation is going from paper to PDF. We will take it to the second level: from PDF to interoperable public data.

TB: What is the current state of the project and where do you see it in two years’ time?

MS: INRB is already available as a minimum viable product. In the next two years, we will enable all institutions and multimodal transport platforms in Europe to benefit from the solution and comply with the European directive on sustainability and decarbonisation.

TB: A good idea you have had.

MS: Surround myself with tolerant people with common values.

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

MS: In general, personal challenges. To persist and not give up, especially when something is unfair and you cannot change it.

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

MS: Accept what you cannot change. You will live better.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

MS: My partner and friend Riccardo Di Mambro, an entrepreneur of high moral values, competent and efficient. Always restless, never overbearing.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

MS: Blockchain infrastructure (not cryptocurrencies).

TB: In-person or remote?

MS: 50/50. Both have their advantages. In my opinion, the hybrid method is ideal.

TB: A startup or company.

MS: Reclamador.es. It helps citizens and is cost-effective. A fantastic project that I hope will continue to be successful and can be expanded throughout Europe.

TB: What do you do to disconnect?

MS: I dance salsa, play music with my flamenco fusion group and go to science conferences with my partner.

TB: A book to recommend.

MS: “Foundation series”, by Isaac Asimov.

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

MS: The Big Bang Theory. Funny, scientific and self-ironic.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

MS: “Parmigiana di melanzane siciliana”. Not from a restaurant, but cooked by a Sicilian grandmother at home. They are unrivalled.

TB: A place in the world.

MS: A silent lake in the mountains.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

MS: In addition to our project, in European companies specialised in the refining of rare metals and minerals.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

MS: He would be a philosopher of ethics in technology.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

MS: A key player in the development of technology in Spain and southern Europe. A place of excellence where you can connect with first-class people, and which marks a path of success for everyone.

Laura Lizama (Valencia, 1997), biomedical engineer, began her recent professional career in the innovation and technology transfer unit of the Hospital Parc Taulí in Sabadell. She spent two and a half years managing health innovation projects at a leading public health centre while, at the same time, she promoted her own project with her partner Sofía Ferreira. The medtech startup heecap, created in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, offers a medical device that stimulates breathing in mechanically ventilated patients to improve their pulmonary recovery.

“We have the first minimum viable product. Clinical trials on patients have produced good results. We have secured our first investment. And we are expanding our team.”

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

LL: Our aim is to prevent and treat the respiratory muscle atrophy suffered by all patients on mechanical ventilation supports in intensive care units. When this type of patient receives high doses of sedation, their muscles stop working and the disuse leads to a lot of muscle weakness. The atrophy prevents the patient from having enough strength to breathe on their own and makes extubation and respiratory recovery difficult. Our aim is to improve the quality of life of these patients with the heecap® device, a personalised, non-invasive electrostimulation system.

TB:  What is the current state of the project and where do you see it in two years’ time?

LL: Now that the first minimum viable product and the first clinical trials on patients at Parc Taulí have been successfully completed, our sights are set on next year, when we will conduct the pivotal clinical trial. This will allow us to complete all the regulatory documentation to obtain the CE marking from the European Union.

TB: A good idea you have had.

LL: I think heecap is a good idea, don’t you?

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

LL: Go alone and you’ll go fast, go together and you’ll go far. It’s a very typical phrase, but I believe in it one hundred percent. Especially in the startup world – it’s the team that makes the whole thing work.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

LL: I always look at women health entrepreneurs. I like them, they inspire me. Among them, Ana Maiques and Yolanda Casas from Neuroelectrics, and Carmen Rios from Doctomatic. But it’s hard for me to find women and entrepreneurs of my age. María González of the startup Tucuvi is one of them, but who else?

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

LL: My father always says it will be the autonomous car. And I agree.

TB: In-person or remote?

LL: Face-to-face. Nothing like human connections.

TB: A startup or company.

LL: I always look at startups similar to mine, to analyse the stages they are in and the steps they are taking. I am also inspired by the people behind them. Health startups whether they are hardware, software or both: Neuroelectrics, Innitius and Able Human Motion.

TB: What do you do to disconnect?

LL: I like to swim in the sea whenever I can. And if not, in the pool.

TB: A book to recommend.

LL: “Paula”, by Isabel Allende. It accompanied me on my trip to Chile in 2017. It is a book that I will always recommend for the humanity with which it is written. On a professional level, I really like “The Founder’s Dilemmas”. Every chapter is a learning experience!

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

LL: I’m not much of a series person, and when I was little I only liked to watch “Matilda”. But right now I’m hooked on all of Ricardo Darín’s films: for its intensity and dynamism, the one that most represents the current moment is “Relatos Salvajes”. Song, “La raíz”, by Valeria Castro.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

LL: My favourite dish is my mother’s cheeks of beef. I haven’t even asked her for the recipe because I’m sure they’ll never turn out as well.

TB: A place in the world.

LL: My first trip alone –two months in Chile– made Valparaíso my favourite city.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

LL: In heecap.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

LL: In heecap. In another life, I would have liked to work in a circus. I love acrobatics, body work and living in community. In this life, wherever I may be, but close to patients and taking care of health problems.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

LL: It’s a place to meet people with similar interests and challenges – the Pier07 experience is top! It’s easy to go for a coffee and meet someone who connects you with a key person, or gives you an interesting idea or insight.

A born hotelier with a disruptive soul. Guillermo ‘Mo’ Gaspart (Barcelona, 1978) represents the fourth generation of a hotel saga created a century ago by his great-grandfather and, at the same time, embodies a spirit of change in a traditional sector. A decade ago, he set out to revolutionise the way hotel rooms were booked, with the aim of offering greater flexibility and personalisation by introducing the concept of pay-per-use. And the result of this is the BYHOURS microstay platform, of which he is CEO and founder together with his professional ‘brother’ Christian Rodríguez.

The company currently allows hourly room bookings in more than 600 destinations and 4,000 hotels, which have seen BYHOURS as the solution to maintain a constant flow of people throughout the day in their establishments.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

GG: We allow hotel guests to choose the check-in and check-out time of their stay, while at the same time giving hoteliers an additional way to increase their revenue. We put a lot of emphasis on the ‘win-win’ for the user and the hotelier.

TB: What is the current state of the project and where do you see it in two years’ time?

GG: I am not able to see more than three months. Anyone who says otherwise is deluding himself or herself, a speculative or theoretical idea with no other purpose than to give pleasure to the person who has come up with it.

TB: A good idea you have had.

GG: Getting married to my wife! A decision I made 18 years ago and I’m still amazed at how lucky I was

TB: What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

GG: Winning a race against more than 50 million opponents. On the day I was sired, I came first to the finish line. There was no prize or recognition for everyone else. Only one won, and that was me.

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

GG: Don’t listen to advice. I think that’s the best thing you can do. The world is full of enlightened people who will confuse rather than enlighten.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

GG: Cesar Ritz, a Swiss who revolutionised the hotel sector at the beginning of the last century. And my father, someone with whom I shared the beginning of my professional career and who still gives me lessons in attitude.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

GG: The one that gets us to set foot on the moon. It is absurd to think that 50 years ago we would set foot on the moon with the technology that existed then -less than what my mobile phone has- and that today we will not spend our weekends there. When it really happens, a lot of things will change.

TB: In-person or remote?

GG: In-person, no doubt about it! The new generations will pay dearly for the remote. We are indulging them and making them believe that work is like a ‘hobby’. Flexibility yes, but human beings are social by nature and isolating ourselves is contrary to productivity.

TB: A startup or company.

GG: Civitatis. I am amazed at what they have achieved with almost no noise and without raising a single euro of capital until very recently.

TB: What do you do to disconnect?

GG: Sport, lots of sport, and laughing, which they say wrinkles the skin, but it doesn’t wrinkle the soul! I think we have to relativise many of the things that happen to us. In fact, they say that 90% of the things that worry us or keep us awake at night will never happen.

TB: A book to recommend.

GG: I don’t read! It bores me to death. But of course, if you say so, it sounds like you’re uneducated. I recommend the Bible: a true story of the most relevant character in the history of mankind.

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

GG: Series, “Fariña”. Film, “Cast Away” or “Catch Me If You Can”. And song, it depends on the moment, as music goes with the mood. At the moment I’ll go for “The Gambler”, by Kenny Rogers.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

GG: A good gazpacho. Lobster with eggs and chips. And “Bonanova” restaurant in Barcelona.

TB: A place in the world.

GG: Formentera, Mexico City and Camp Nou, although we’ll see if and when we can return.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

GG: I would invest it in a great holiday. It would be the most profitable and highest return I could have at the moment.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

GG: Hotelier. I am fascinated by the sector and would love to spend the last days of my life in a hotel.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

GG: A meeting point for people who share the same professional concerns and, in many cases, lifestyles. People who are not conformist and who are not risk averse.

A passionate entrepreneur and finance enthusiast, Sergio Esteve de Miguel Anglada (Barcelona, 1986) is the co-founder and Co-CEO of the legaltech startup Bigle Legal. After graduating in Business Administration and a Master in International Business in London, Shanghai and New York, he worked in a multinational company in Dubai as Head of Audit and Risk Management. In 2017, after travelling around the world, he returned to Spain to set up the company he now runs with his brother Alejandro. Two years later, already consolidated in the legal sector, he co-founded the Global Legal Tech Hub initiative, of which he is treasurer and board member.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

SE: At Bigle Legal we offer Contract Lyfecycle Management (CLM) software, a no-code platform in the cloud that automates the legal operations of companies, improving security and minimising the risk of contingencies. And we do this using technologies such as document automation or contract management combined with artificial intelligence, to make those tedious manual processes of working with legal documents possible through a flexible, intuitive platform that offers total control over their lifecycle.

TB: What is the current state of the project and where do you see it in two years’ time?

SE: Our project is in full expansion, both nationally and internationally. In addition, we are building the first CLM with artificial intelligence GPT legal in the world, which positions us as leaders in the digital transformation of the legal and business sector. We also plan to grow our team to drive innovation and development of our technology. Innovation is the vehicle that moves companies.

TB: A good idea you have had.

SE: Education should be more practical and less theoretical. Then we can apply what we learn and discover our true passions – practicality and passion go hand in hand!

TB: A bad professional experience.

SE: I call it “professional learning” and I have certainly experienced many lessons. One of the most important things I learned is that finding exceptional employees is critical to success. And to do that, you have to invest in a solid recruitment process and develop a committed team.

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

SE: Have patience in the exciting creation of a technology company. While it can be tempting to want quick results, patience allows us to build solidly, overcome challenges and adapt to change. Ultimately, keep the long-term vision and enjoy the journey, knowing that each step brings us closer to success.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

SE: I am inspired by Richard Branson for his collaborative leadership style. His ability to connect emotionally with his team, his empathy, charisma and courage are qualities I seek to cultivate in my own career.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

SE: Without a doubt, AI. It is changing the world because it totally transforms the way we work, live and relate to each other, even going beyond the limits of what we thought possible. At Bigle Legal we have been working on this technology for years to be pioneers: it allows us to automate and streamline processes, analyse large volumes of data and extract valuable insights, reduce errors and improve accuracy in drafting and reviewing contracts.

TB: In-person or remote?

SE: In remote mode. But also in person. In our company we are committed to a remote model but, if you wish, you can also come to work at our offices in Barcelona or Madrid. We believe that teleworking adds value to our staff and fulfils our objectives in a satisfactory way. However, we still love to share moments together in the office.

TB: A startup or company.

SE: Red Points.

TB: What do you do to disconnect?

SE: Exercise and travel. The former helps me to release stress and keep fit, while the latter allows me to escape from routine and find inspiration in new places and experiences. Both are crucial to my well-being and creativity as an entrepreneur.

TB: A book to recommend.

SE: “The Lessons of History” by Will and Ariel Durant. Short and to the point, it compresses centuries of history into 117 pages and focuses on the lessons of history, not the events that define it. As Winston Churchill said, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”, making it extremely useful for any technology entrepreneur.

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

SE: The film “Moneyball”.

TB: One recipe, one restaurant.

SE: Peruvian Lomo saltado, Indian food and Molino de Pez restaurant in Barcelona.

TB: A place in the world.

SE: Argentine Patagonia. I highly recommend walking up to Lago de los Tres.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

SE: In OpenAI.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

SE: It would be an investor.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

SE: This great technology ecosystem personally allows me to expand my network of contacts (many Bigle Legal clients are partners of the association), strengthen my skills and access key resources to grow my business.