Spin-off success at the University of Barcelona: Five companies exceed one million euros in turnover in 2022
The University of Barcelona (UB) has achieved unprecedented success with its spin-offs, companies based on a technology or knowledge developed at the university. In 2022, for the first time, five spin-offs exceeded one million euros in turnover each. The top companies in terms of turnover were: Enantia, Biocontrol Technologies, Nostrum Biodscovery, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech and Becytes Biotechnologies.
Last year, the university’s 24 start-ups had a total turnover of 11.4 million euros, an increase of 22% over the previous year, when the turnover amounted to 9.3 million euros. This represents a new record in the economic contribution of UB spin-offs and consolidates their influence within the business world. In 2020 the turnover was around 7 million euros, which shows that UB spin-offs continue to grow remarkably year after year.
In 2022, part-owned companies raised around €11 million in funding, both public and private. It is worth highlighting the significant investment rounds of Nimble Diagnostics with over €1 million and the €2.5 million that Gate2Brain received from the European Commission through the EIC Accelerator programme.
In addition to corporate success, this year is also the first time that UB spin-offs have created more than 200 jobs, thus contributing to the revitalisation of the economy and job creation in the region.
Two new spin-offs
The creation of companies is one of the services offered by the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation as a centre for the transfer of knowledge, technology and innovation at the University of Barcelona. In 2022 the UB contributed to the creation of two new spin-offs: Virmedex Virtual Experiences and Nimble Diagnostics.
Virmedex develops gamified software for specialised training in the medical sector. The company is a joint venture of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and the University of Barcelona (UB).
Nimble Diagnostics is a spin-off of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), the UPC, and the UB that is developing the first medical device to monitor patients with implanted stents, thus avoiding serious complications and improving the clinical management of millions of patients every year.
Currently, the UB owns shares in 24 companies: Accure Therapeutics (2020); Aigecko Technologies (2020); Becytes Biotechnologies (2015); Biocontrol Technologies (2004); Bluephage (2016); Braingaze (2013); Colorsensing (2018); DapCom Data Services (2013); DBgen Ocular Genomics (2018); Enantia (2003); Gate2Brain (2020); Impetux Optics (2012); Kumux (2017); Mind and Identity (2020); Neurekalab (2019); Nimble Diagnostics (2022); Nostrum Biodiscovery (2015); Oniria Therapeutics (2021); Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech (2019); Reveal Genomics (2021); Smalle Technologies (2012); Smart Classroom Project (2023); Virmedex Virtual Experiences (2022); and Virtual Bodyworks (2015).