In recent months we have seen how companies in the food sector have made acquisitions with the aim of growing in their sector and positioning themselves as benchmark brands. This is the case of Europastry, which has decided to increase its stake in the American company Wenner, and Valls Companys, which has made two acquisitions in the ham sector in Spain in the last two months.
Venture capital in the tourism sector: Springwater and Inveready.
Venture capital is active in the tourism sector. If we recently mentioned that the Hotusa group had decided to create a fund for technological and innovative startups focused on the hotel and tourism sector, in this post we comment on the operations that have been carried out in the sector recently.
CDTI: Innovation Hotline
Línea Directa de Innovación is a financing programme promoted by the CDTI and the Technology Fund, which aims to support business projects that involve the incorporation and adaptation of new technologies at a sectoral level and that represent a competitive advantage for the company. Technological adaptation actions aimed at the introduction of new markets will also be financed.
Fersa, Himoinsa and Dialecto Industrial: M&A in the energy sector
In the last two months we have seen Spanish companies in the energy sector being bought by foreign companies. SunEdison has bought Fersa and will buy Cielo Alto, Solarpack's project once the project is completed. In addition, the Japanese manufacturer Yanmar has bought Himoinsa and Sonepar Iberica has bought Dialecto Industrial.
Ecrowd and Arboribus: Crowdlending platforms get funding
Financing through crowdlending platforms is growing in Spain and the rest of the world due to the advantages it offers. According to a worldwide corporate study of the sector published in 2015 by Massolution, crowdlending has grown by 233% with 11,080 million dollars raised in 2014. Moreover, crowdlending platforms are growing. Recently two Spanish crowdlending platforms: Ecrowd and Arboribus have received funding.
The Emprendetur 2015 call for proposals opens
Those wishing to apply for the Emprendetur grant, which aims to support innovative product projects within the national integrated tourism plan, must do so before 27 July. This aid is divided into two sub-programmes, Emprendetur R&D and Emprendetur Development.
Gartner, Softbank Digital dimension: Foreign investors interested in Spanish tech companies
In recent months we have seen how large international technology companies have set their sights on Spanish startups. Among the operations that have been carried out we highlight the purchase of Nubera by Gartner, that of Beabloo by Softbank and the purchase of Nexica by Digital Dimension.
Towards a Spain based on technology-based companies
The improvement in the economic situation and the need to consolidate technology-based companies in our country have led to the emergence of initiatives to promote technology-based companies. At the end of July, the Neotec aid programme will be launched, which this year has a new feature in the form of a grant.
Litalsa, Erle Robotics and Histocell: Basque companies that have received rounds in the Basque Country
In May, several Basque companies from different sectors received funding. Erle Robotics, a drone company, received €200,000 from 6 business angels. Histocell, located in Zamudio, has received €2.5 M to launch its new product and Realza has bought Litalsa, a leading independent supplier in the packaging lithography market.
Panrico, Angulas Aguinaga: Spain's big food companies in international hands.
Foreign investors are hungry for Spanish food companies. At the beginning of the year we learned of the purchase of Deoleo, a world leader in the marketing of olive oil, with brands such as Carbonell and Koipe, by CVC and the purchase of the chorizo manufacturer Palacios by the giant Carlyle. In June we witnessed the purchase of Panrico by the Mexican company Bimbo and the purchase of Angulas Aguinaga by a secondary fund led by HarbourVest.
Ofertia and Tectronic: Divestments in the IT sector
According to the Ascri 2015 report, 2015 has seen a record number of divestments in Spain, partly due to the leading role played by international groups. In May, two Spanish funds: Finaves and Dinamia disinvested in companies in the ICT sector, giving entry to international groups.
Biotechnology grows and finds alternative forms of financing
According to Asebio, the number of healthcare biotechnology projects developed in Spain grew by 30% in 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. These projects need funding and many of them are turning to alternative financing. Crowdfunding, public aid and venture capital funds are helping to make Spain a biotech country.