The 8th edition of CRAASH Barcelona kicks off with eight pioneering healthcare innovation projects
This September, Barcelona hosted the eight teams selected to take part in the latest edition of the acceleration program promoted by Biocat and CIMIT (Boston). Meet them below.
CRAASH Barcelona, the acceleration program run by Biocat and CIMIT (Boston), has chosen eight teams in Barcelona this year to participate in its eighth edition, aimed at driving innovations with strong potential impact in healthcare and medical technology. The call has grown compared to last year, adding two more projects and reinforcing its commitment to identifying and supporting cutting-edge solutions emerging from the local ecosystem. This year, in addition, through the collaboration established with the i4Kids network led by Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, the program is incorporating, for the first time, several projects focused on the pediatric field.
The projects selected for this edition are:
aCUP-E: Flexible, safe electrodes for neonatal brain monitoring
A new system of flexible electrodes that is revolutionizing brain monitoring in newborns in NICUs. It offers a safe, noninvasive alternative to conventional electrodes, reducing the risk of skin damage and improving signal quality in electroencephalograms to enable more accurate and reliable neurological diagnoses from the very first day of life.
Cost-effective Stroke Prevention: AI platform for personalized stroke prevention
A cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that evaluates stroke risk noninvasively and cost-effectively using ECGs from clinical devices. Without requiring genetic or molecular testing, it detects patterns linked to risk factors and helps clinicians identify high-risk patients earlier than traditional methods, enabling faster, more personalized interventions.
EOLO: Portable, affordable simulator for mechanical ventilation training
An innovative mechanical ventilation simulator that recreates more than 20 different lung conditions to enhance healthcare professional training. With an interface controlled via a mobile app, it allows users to simulate varied patient responses depending on ventilator settings, supporting decision-making and practical clinical training.
Guttmann Cognitest: Self-administered digital cognitive assessment
A digital platform that enables remote, self-administered assessment of cognitive function in just a few minutes. Developed by the Guttmann Institute, it facilitates early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline, especially in older adults. Through a set of computerized tasks, it evaluates key areas such as memory, attention, processing speed, and executive functions.
Hair Regeneration Device: Advanced laser device for hair regeneration
A medical device that uses laser photobiomodulation to stimulate cellular energy production at the mitochondrial level and promote hair follicle regeneration. This noninvasive system delivers energy precisely and directly to the scalp using high-power laser diodes, with the goal of improving overall hair health.
Sputum test: Rapid diagnosis for detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sputum
An in vitro diagnostic kit that identifies the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sputum, a bacterium that causes severe infections in patients with chronic respiratory diseases or immunodeficiency. The system allows for quick sample collection and liquefaction, followed by a colorimetric detection test that provides a qualitative result in just 15 minutes.
Surgical Instrument Counter: AI system for automatic recognition and tracking of surgical instruments
A computer vision and artificial intelligence system that recognizes surgical instruments in real time without labels or codes, automating the mandatory counts nurses perform before and after each operation. This system reduces the risk of human error, improves safety, and streamlines workflows, while integrating with hospital systems to improve traceability in both operating rooms and sterilization units.
Textur: Adapted, enriched meals for patients with dysphagia
Textur develops meals with modified textures that follow international IDDSI standards, which classify food textures and drink viscosities for people with dysphagia, improving safety at mealtimes. Its solutions combine specialized nutritional enrichment with local Mediterranean recipes, offering a tailored culinary experience that enhances flavor, enjoyment, and patients’ quality of life.
The eighth edition of CRAASH Barcelona is structured into three acceleration phases over 12 weeks, combining both in-person and online sessions. The program officially launched with an in-person event in Barcelona on September 8–10, where teams received intensive training on market access, business models, healthcare regulation, financing, and the Catalan ecosystem. Sessions featured prominent speakers such as John Collins (CIMIT), Katharine d’Amico (The Swala Institute), Meike Bomhof (Hull Associates), and representatives from the ICS, among others.
The program will continue with a second phase dedicated to validating solutions in real clinical settings, with highlights including Barcelona Week (October 14–16) and focused sessions on impact assessment, pediatric market access, clinical trials, and the use of health data. It will also feature a joint module with the German innovation ecosystem, giving teams the opportunity to exchange pitches, receive international feedback, and explore cross-border collaboration opportunities.
The third phase will consist of online sessions on financing and connections with international investors, culminating in a final event where the eight teams will present their projects to an audience of investors, mentors, and industry professionals.