Once again, the University of Barcelona was present at the 4 Years From Now (4YFN), the platform dedicated to emerging companies and entrepreneurship at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Throughout the week, spin-off and start-up companies from the UB presented their innovative and disruptive projects with the aim of growing and becoming known on a global stage. The spin-off Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech received the 4YFN Awards that distinguishes it as the best digital start-up in the world, and ColorSensing won the University & Espín-off Pitch Battle.
The UB had its own stand within 4YFN, where the spin-offs Braingaze, ColorSensing, Gate2Brain, LogMeal, Nimble Diagnostics and Oniria Therapeutics were located. The start-ups that were present were the following: Benesit, DEKINES, Filmo, Lexy, Match IT, Omashu, Pets&Vets, THEAD, The Blue Box and XRON.
The spin-offs Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, Virmedex, Nostrum Biodiscovery and Smart Classroom Project also participated in 4YFN, which were located in other spaces of the fair.
Emerging companies took advantage of 4YFN to present their technologies, have first contact with potential investors and create synergies with other projects and researchers.
The best digital start-up
Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech was recognized at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024 (MWC) as the best digital start-up in the world. The spin-off of the UB, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the Institute of High Energy Physics, was chosen as the winner of the 4YFN Awards, a global start-up competition aimed at finding the best emerging companies from around the planet that represents the highest recognition offered to start-ups at the MWC.
On the other hand, the spin-off ColorSensing won the University & Espín-off Pitch Battle award, a recognition that reaffirms its commitment to promoting innovation and surpassing the limits of the sector.
Entrepreneurship boost
The University of Barcelona participated in the 4YFN of the Mobile World Congress by intermediating StartUB!, the unit for promoting entrepreneurship among students; and the Bosch and Gimpera Foundation, the knowledge and technology transfer office in charge of promoting the creation of innovative and derivative companies among research staff.
StartUB! and the Bosch and Gimpera Foundation took advantage of their presence at Mobile to explain their task to the #4YFN attendees and present the resources they can offer within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. At the same time, they also announced other entrepreneurial projects, promoted the UB’s research groups and created synergies with other spin-offs and start-ups.