Startups & scaleups
Startups and scaleups are driving the growth of the BioRegion of Catalonia. Overall, in 2025 they raised €517 million in investment. Since 2014, the pace of startup creation has remained steady, with more than one new company founded each week. Twenty-six percent of healthcare startups in Catalonia are spinoffs from research institutions, and 32% of emerging companies are led by women.
Splice Bio
Splice Bio uses protein splicing to push the limits of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector applications and develop gene therapies for large genes.
Historic record in investment in healthcare startups and scaleups, reaching €517 million
After any complication in the global geo-political and economic context in terms of investment indicators for the BioRegion in 2023, by 2024 the BioRegion has recovered its embryonic status. 2025 marks an unprecedented milestone: investment in startups and scaleups reached €517 million, a 43% increase compared to 2024 and 7% above the previous peak recorded in 2022.
116 startups and scaleups are working on health AI in Catalonia in 2025
The AI ecosystem applied to healthcare in Catalonia continues to expand, reaching 172 companies in 2025, an 11% increase compared to 2024. Of these, 116 are startups (67%), and an emerging subsegment of 12 generative AI companies has been identified.
Featured startups
Impress
Impress specializes in invisible orthodontics and uses the most advanced technology for diagnosing and improving oral health. They closed a €122 million round in 2022.
Oryzon Genomics
Created as a spinoff of the UB, this biotechnology firm, which has been publicly traded on the Spanish Continuous Market since 2015, focuses on developing epigenetic therapies for oncology and central nervous system treatments.
Splice Bio
Splice Bio uses protein splicing to push the limits of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector applications and develop gene therapies for large genes.
Minoryx Therapeutics
Minoryx develops therapies for orphan diseases of the central nervous system. In May 2022, the company closed a €51 million Series C round and in November licensed its drug leriglitazone for X-ALD.
Inbrain Neuroelectronics
A spin-off from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and the Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), which has developed an electrocorticography (μECoG) grid for intraoperative brain mapping to support brain resection surgery in patients with epilepsy or brain tumours.
Heura
Heura is a foodtech company that drives the transition toward a more sustainable food system through plant-based protein alternatives.
Deepull
Deepull is a clinical diagnostics company in the development stage focused on diagnosing sepsis directly from blood.
Qiagen Iberia
QIAGEN is a global leader in molecular diagnostics and life sciences solutions that enable the extraction and interpretation of information from biological samples.