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Barcelona Ventures

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Barcelona Ventures
Leadership team

Miquel A. Nadal (Partner)

Gonzalo de la Viña (Partner & Managing Director)

David Badía (Partner)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Barcelona, Spain
Established
2011
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Summary

Barcelona Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Barcelona, Spain, that invests in early-stage technology companies. The fund focuses on companies that have the potential to become global leaders in their respective fields. Barcelona Ventures invests in a wide range of sectors including technology, biotechnology, health care, consumer goods, manufacturing, and other areas. The fund has invested in over 50 companies since its inception in 2011. The fund has a team of experienced professionals with backgrounds in venture capital, finance, and technology. Barcelona Ventures is committed to helping startups grow and succeed in their respective markets.

History

Barcelona Ventures is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Barcelona, Spain. Founded in 2011, the firm is focused on seed and early-stage investments in European technology companies.

Barcelona Ventures is one of the first firms in the Spanish venture capital scene. It was founded by a group of entrepreneurs and investors from different backgrounds, including venture capital, technology, and engineering. The firm has invested in a variety of startups and established companies over the years, with a focus on digital media, e-commerce, mobile, and software.

In 2014, the firm launched a €50 million fund to invest in early-stage companies. Since then, the firm has made more than 30 investments in European companies, including in startups such as Wallapop, Housfy, and Nurogames. In recent years, Barcelona Ventures has also made investments in established companies such as travel tech company Amadeus, online travel agency eDreams, and the online food delivery service Glovo.

In 2020, Barcelona Ventures announced that it had raised €80 million for its third fund, which it plans to use to invest in early-stage startups in Europe and Latin America. The company has also announced plans to open a new office in Mexico City to expand its operations in the region.

The firm is actively involved in the startup ecosystem in Barcelona and beyond, and is a founding member of the Barcelona startup accelerator, Startupbootcamp. Barcelona Ventures is also a venture partner of the Techstars accelerator in Madrid.

Barcelona Ventures has invested in a diverse range of companies across various industries, including software, e-commerce, health tech, and fintech. Some of its portfolio companies include Wallbox, Biome Makers, and Fever.

Investment criteria

The company has a set of investment criteria that it uses to identify promising investment opportunities. Here are some of the key criteria that Barcelona Ventures considers when evaluating potential investments:

  • Strong team: The company looks for startups that have a strong and experienced management team with a track record of success. They believe that a strong team is essential to executing the company's vision and achieving its goals.
  • Disruptive technology: Barcelona Ventures invests in startups that are developing innovative technologies that have the potential to disrupt their respective industries. They believe that disruptive technologies have the potential to create significant value for investors.
  • Large and growing market: The company looks for startups that are addressing large and growing markets with significant potential for growth. They believe that startups that address these markets have the potential to generate significant returns for investors.
  • Scalability: Barcelona Ventures invests in startups that have the potential to scale rapidly and achieve significant market penetration. They believe that scalable startups have the potential to generate significant returns for investors.
  • Strong business model: The company looks for startups that have a strong and sustainable business model that can generate revenue and profitability over the long term. They believe that a strong business model is essential to creating value for investors.
  • Geographic location: Barcelona Ventures primarily invests in startups located in Europe and Latin America, with a focus on Barcelona and Madrid. They believe that these regions have significant potential for growth and offer attractive investment opportunities.
Values
  • Innovation: Barcelona Ventures values innovation and is always looking for new and creative solutions to problems. They believe that innovation is the key to success in the rapidly changing tech industry.
  • Integrity: The company operates with integrity and transparency in all its dealings. They believe that trust is essential to building successful partnerships and delivering value to their investors and portfolio companies.
  • Collaboration: Barcelona Ventures values collaboration and works closely with its portfolio companies to help them achieve their goals. They believe that teamwork is critical to driving innovation and creating successful outcomes.
  • Diversity: The company is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. They believe that diverse perspectives and experiences lead to better outcomes and help drive innovation.
  • Entrepreneurship: Barcelona Ventures values entrepreneurship and supports founders who are passionate about their ideas and committed to building successful businesses. They believe that entrepreneurship is a key driver of innovation and economic growth.
  • Impact: The company is committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment. They believe that investing in startups that are addressing social and environmental challenges is not only the right thing to do but also a smart investment strategy.
Mission

According to their website: “Barcelona Ventures' mission is to empower entrepreneurs and innovators to create positive change through venture capital investments. We strive to provide entrepreneurs with the resources and capital they need to build their companies, launch new products and services, and promote economic growth. 

Our team of experienced venture capitalists and business development professionals focus on identifying and investing in early-stage companies that are solving global challenges. We partner with entrepreneurs to help them create sustainable and innovative solutions that improve the lives of people, businesses, and communities around the world.”

Portfolio

The company has a diverse portfolio of companies across various industries, including software, e-commerce, health tech, and fintech. Here are some of the companies in Barcelona Ventures' portfolio:

  • ABA English - A language learning platform that uses AI technology to personalize the learning experience for each student.
  • FrigoPack - A logistics platform that optimizes the cold chain distribution of food products, reducing food waste and increasing efficiency.
  • Wallbox - A smart electric vehicle charging solutions provider that offers advanced features such as mobile app control, energy management, and data analysis.
  • Fever - An event discovery and ticketing platform that uses data analytics and AI technology to personalize the event recommendations for each user.
  • Biome Makers - A biotech company that offers soil microbiome analysis services to farmers and agricultural companies, helping them optimize their crop yields and reduce the use of chemical inputs.
  • Kippit - A fintech platform that offers digital payment solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, reducing transaction costs and increasing efficiency.
  • Vilynx - An AI-powered video content analysis platform that helps media companies and publishers increase engagement and monetization of their video content.

The company is focused on identifying and investing in innovative startups that have the potential to disrupt their respective industries and create significant value for investors.

References
Barcelona Ventures
Leadership team

Miquel A. Nadal (Partner)

Gonzalo de la Viña (Partner & Managing Director)

David Badía (Partner)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Barcelona, Spain
Established
2011
Social Media