ICEX opens the British market to scientific spin-offs with its new 'Challenge Science' program

 

ICEX has launched the program Desafía Ciencia in collaboration with Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSICto boost the internationalization of Spanish scientific spin-offs. The initiative will facilitate access to the innovation and funding ecosystem for ten companies. Reino Unido.

 

The program is designed for science-based companies, originating from universities and research centers, that possess technologies deep tech highly disruptive and with a strong R&D component. The main objective is to familiarize these companies with the British model of scientific and technological scaling and facilitate their access to the country's main investment and collaboration hubs.

 

Immersion in the British 'Golden Triangle'

 

The ten companies selected for this first edition will participate in an intensive two-week immersion in what is known as 'Golden Triangle' of the Reino Unido, which includes the ecosystems of Oxford, Londres y CambridgeThis in-person program is complemented by four weeks of individualized remote mentoring, ensuring that each spin-off maximizes opportunities during its stay.

 

The program presentation took place at the headquarters of ICEX and had the participation of José María Blasco Ruiz, executive director of Growth and Competitiveness of ICEX, and Ana Castro Morera, Vice President of Innovation and Transfer of CSICBoth organizations, attached to Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y UniversidadesThey have collaborated closely in defining the sectors of interest and designing the training support.

 

Table 1: Key data of the Desafía Ciencia 2026 program.
Feature Description
Main goal Accelerating the internationalization of scientific spin-offs in the British market.
Duration 4 weeks of remote mentoring + 2 weeks of face-to-face immersion.
Location Golden Triangle of Reino Unido (Oxford, Londres, Cambridge).
Participants (1st Edition) 10 Spanish science-based spin-offs.

 

Strategic collaboration and company selection

During the launch days, which run until May 26, participating companies will work with the program's local partner in the Reino Unido to refine its business model, its pitch investment and scheduling individual meetings. The final selection of the ten participants was made from 24 applications received, eight of which came from the CSIC.

 

The companies that are part of this first cohort of Desafía Ciencia are:

 

  • Kiur Healthcare S.L
  • Koji Biolabs S.L
  • SpoutedBedSolution
  • Ibercable Tech SL.
  • Nanological S.L.
  • Elexcell
  • Microcal
  • Glotac Technologies S.L.
  • Promethenz S.L.
  • Biophithal

 

With this new vertical, Desafía Ciencia It is integrated into the program portfolio Desafía de ICEX, reinforcing the position of Spanish science in global innovation ecosystems deep tech and opening a pathway to bring laboratory research to the international market.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the Desafía Ciencia program

 

How does the Desafía Ciencia program benefit a Spanish spin-off?

The program offers a unique opportunity to validate the business model in a highly competitive market, access a top-level network of contacts that includes venture capital investors (venture capital) and corporations, and understand the regulatory and commercial keys of the British ecosystem.

 

What impact does this initiative have on the innovation ecosystem in Spain?

Initiatives like Desafía Ciencia They are strategic for positioning Spain as an innovation hub deep techIt facilitates technology transfer, attracts foreign investment to Spanish projects, and helps retain scientific talent by offering avenues for international growth.

 

What should technology-based companies know about the UK ecosystem?

The 'Golden Triangle' is one of the world's most important innovation hubs, especially in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and clean technologies. To succeed, Spanish companies must present a pitch solid, a well-defined intellectual property strategy and a clear roadmap for commercial scaling.

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