Crowdlending platforms that offer easier access to loans, in a fast way and without the need to compute in the CIRBE and other fintech business models are posing a risk for banks, which have already begun to take steps towards fintech in order to compete in this new market. The growth forecasts are very positive and it is expected that in 2015 the European Fintech market will move a volume of €7,000 M, a 237% more than in 2014. In 2014, alternative finance platforms moved €2,957M.
Spanish tools for making interactive content receive funding
Brands know that capturing the attention of their customers is not as easy as it used to be and they have to resort to innovative techniques to get their potential customers to react. This type of innovation, such as interactive marketing, seemed to be well developed in countries such as the USA, but in Spain we were lagging behind. However, it seems that we are already moving and this week we have learned that 2 young Spanish startups Playfilm and Genial.ly, which have just started their activity this year, have received rounds this week.
International relations are necessary in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
In the globalised world in which we live, an international vocation should be a common denominator and a natural process for startups. Having international investments or good international relationships can be very valuable. More and more events are being held, such as Finanziaconnet, which brings together the entrepreneurial ecosystem in London and Spain, and is planning to hold an investment forum in which 10 Spanish startups will have the opportunity to present themselves in London in front of international investors.
France's Synerlab buys Alcalá Pharma
If a week ago we told you that Spanish biotechs were going public on the MAB, this week it is the turn of crowdfunding and acquisitions in the biotech sector.
The MAB, alternative financing that is making a comeback
After a year in which the Gowex scandal meant that only Socimis were listed on the MAB, the strict regulation of the market has won back the support of investors and several companies are choosing this market as a way to grow. Today Agile Contents went public and last week Thinksmart.
ICO increases global Fondico to €1.5 billion
Due to the good performance of the Fondico Global fund of funds two years ago, ICO has decided to increase the FOND-ICO Global endowment by €300M, from €1,200M to €1,500M.
Spanish biotechs go public
It is not uncommon for the biotech sector to be punished at times in the stock market because of traditional bubbles and high valuations. However, the S&P Biotechnology select Industry index shows that the situation has improved and has risen by 11% since January. Moreover, of the just over 200 biotechs listed on Wall Street, none of them have a sell recommendation. In fact, experts are betting to buy or overweight around 190 of them.
The use of technologies in the energy sector opens up a wide range of possibilities
According to a study by Price, the energy and power sector will see unprecedented change in the coming years. 97% of executives from the industry's leading companies expect the market to be significantly transformed by 2020. In this process of change, technology will play a major role. Today we want to highlight Spanish projects that are making innovations in the field of energy such as Vortex, Green Momit, Eolgreen or Challengers 15.
New venture capital funds November 2015
According to Javier Ulicea, venture capital investments in Spain will reach €500M in 2015. The good prospects for investment in our country are being noted in the launch of new funds. Lanzame Capital, Endurance Partners, Uc Capital and Collins, are the protagonists of this November.
Government earmarks 90 million euros to boost the Language Technologies industry
The main objective of the Language Technologies Promotion Plan, which aims to boost the industry that researches and develops applications and technological solutions linked to Natural Language Processing (NLP), is part of the Digital Agenda plan for Spain and has a budget of €90 million between 2016 and 2020. Of this €90M, €14M will be invested next year.
A good start to November for Basque M&A.
This week, two takeovers have taken place in Basque companies. Aernova has bought Burulan and the Basque Inser Robotica has bought the Brazilian Sollutions Robotics. In addition, a technology companyAtten2 has received support from the Cdti and Iberdrola.
Major funds set their sights on Spain's renewables sector
The approval of a new regulatory framework for renewables has increased the sector's attractiveness for investors. According to a study by EY, Spain has led in the second quarter of the year in M&A operations in energy, and large investment funds have made the leap from the brick sector to renewable energies in our country.