The Second Meeting of the spin-offs of the University of Barcelona reflects on the potential of artificial intelligence
The University of Barcelona (UB), through the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBG), the UB’s knowledge transfer office, has organized the Second Meeting of spin-offs of the University of Barcelona: Cockroaches vs Unicorns. This event, held at the Barcelona Science Park, has enabled the University’s emerging companies to meet, with the aim of getting to know each other, sharing experiences and creating synergies.
The second edition of the spin-offs meeting reflected on the uses, opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence. Vikesh Chugani, from the company Atrineo Iberia, has held a conference on the potential of AI in the day-to-day life of a spin-off. The meeting ended with a lunch in order to promote knowledge and the space for relationships between the attendees.
In addition to the participating companies, the event was attended by the rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, the president of the Social Council of the UB, Joan Corominas, the vice-rector of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer, Mercè Segarra and the manager of the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation, M. Teresa Plo.
The rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, has highlighted that “the University of Barcelona is a reference entity in the field of spin-off creation” and has pointed out that “we must become an easier ecosystem to generate business creation initiatives”. The vice-chancellor Mercè Segarra thanked the UB spin-offs for their work and emphasized that “all your successes are the successes of the UB”.
Cockroaches vs Unicorns
The name of the meeting refers to two concepts with which start-ups or spin-offs can be defined according to their growth and ability to adapt to change. Cockroaches (cockroaches in English), like the insect, are tough, resilient start-ups that withstand changes in the business and economic sector. The goal of cockroaches is to grow long-term, step by step, and increase income in a sustainable way. From an investor’s point of view, a cockroach is a low-risk investment (at least compared to a unicorn). Unicorn companies are those that have the most exponential growth in a short period of time, and are often more focused on the search for capital than on the product.
26 UB spin-offs
The University of Barcelona has helped create more than fifty spin-offs over the past decades. Currently, it has 26 participating companies that in 2023 had a turnover of almost 11 million euros, a fact that demonstrates the influence and economic impact of the UB’s emerging companies in the business world and in society.
Beyond their business success, in 2023 the spin-offs of the UB generated more than 270 jobs, with which they have contributed to boosting the economy and creating employment in Catalonia. 30% of these jobs are occupied by former students and university staff of the UB.
The creation of companies is one of the services offered by the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation as a technology and knowledge transfer center of the University of Barcelona. The Business Creation Area was launched in 2001.
Active UB spin-offs are the following: Accure Therapeutics (2020), Advanced Nanotechnologies (2012), Aigecko Technologies (2020), Becytes Biotechnologies (2015), Biocontrol Technologies (2004), Bluephage (2016), Braingaze (2013), Colorsensing (2018), DapCom Data Services (2013), DBgen Ocular Genomics (2018), Disrupt Therapeutics (2023), Enantia (2003), Gate2Brain (2020), Impetux Optics (2012), Kiin Tech (2015), 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) and Virmedex Virtual Experiences (2022).