ACCIÓ: Roka Furadada, one of the 10 most disruptive companies in Catalonia

ACCIÓ recognizes the 10 most disruptive companies in Catalonia for 2023.

The companies and startups that have received the 'Catalonia Exponential Leaders' distinction, which recognizes leaders in the field of disruptive innovation, are AldoraTech, Aortyx, Avinent, BUSUP, Concentrol, Jolt, MiMark Diagnostics, Mitiga Solutions, Roka Furadada and Sener.

The recognition takes into consideration their ability to create a positive impact on society beyond their business, as well as their potential for exponential growth and the incorporation of disruptive technologies such as AI, 3D printing, or advanced biotechnology.

The most disruptive companies were announced on Thursday during the Exponential Day event, which brought together 600 participants. This year’s focus was on the analysis of the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

ACCIÓ, the agency for business competitiveness, has recognized the 10 most disruptive companies in Catalonia for 2023. These companies (AldoraTech, Aortyx, Avinent, BUSUP, Concentrol, Jolt, MiMark Diagnostics, Mitiga Solutions, Roka Furadada and Sener) have received the 'Catalonia Exponential Leaders' distinction, acknowledging them as leaders in the field of disruptive innovation.

Albert Castellanos i Maduell, Secretary of Business and Competitiveness and CEO of ACCIÓ, announced the companies that received the agency's recognition during the Exponential Day event, which ACCIÓ hosts annually. For this year's fifth edition 600 entrepreneurs gathered at the AXA Auditorium in Barcelona.

During his speech, Secretary Castellanos emphasized that, in a context where "the world has evolved disruptively, Exponential Day insists on the need to transform in the face of these changes and to do so with a purpose, to create a positive impact on society and the environment, beyond profit." The fifth edition of ACCIÓ's Exponential Day focused on artificial intelligence, a technology that —in Castellanos’ words— "offers a great opportunity to transform our business models and boost our productive sector," as "it is expected to increase the productivity of industrial companies by up to 15% and it is estimated that, by 2025, companies that incorporate AI will be able to generate three times more value than those that do not." The CEO of ACCIÓ pointed out that between 2022 and 2023, the agency has supported over 500 open and disruptive innovation projects from Catalan companies and startups, and that this year it will increase the budget for innovation and R&D projects by 35%, in excess of €56M.

Disruptive Innovation with Positive Impact

The awarded startups and established companies specialize in sectors and fields such as health and life sciences, mobility, energy and sustainable chemistry. These companies have applied innovation to their business models and introduced disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data management, 3D printing, or advanced biotechnology, among others. Also considered for the award were the recipients’ capacity to generate a positive impact on society beyond their business activity, their differential value proposition, their corporate culture, and their potential for exponential growth.

The 10 most disruptive companies in Catalonia for 2023, according to ACCIÓ, are:

AldoraTech: The startup has created a drone transport service with self-manufactured 3D drones and composite materials, with the goal of providing urgent transport of essential products, promoting accessibility regardless of geographic location.

Aortyx: A startup born from IQS and the Hospital Clínic in the field of cardiovascular medicine. It has developed and patented advanced technologies for minimally invasive treatments of aortic diseases, restoring the natural biomechanics of the aorta.

Avinent: The company focuses on digitization as a production method in the field of personalized medical solutions. Its new solution, Inmoovs, revolves around podiatric treatments, using technology to scan footprints and design 3D-printed insoles.

BUSUP: The company has developed software to optimize corporate transport, facilitate employee travel, and contribute to sustainable mobility, emphasizing efficiency and route optimization.

Concentrol: The chemical company offers an intelligent solution which, through IoT, provides real-time assistance to its customers for more efficient use of their solutions and reducing carbon footprint.

Jolt Solutions: A company born from ICIQ that focuses on offering solutions for the green hydrogen industry and specializes in manufacturing industrial electrodes for water electrolyzers to achieve efficient production of this clean fuel.

MiMark Diagnostics: The startup, which originated in the Vall d'Hebron Hospital, specializes in gynecological diagnostics and has developed an in-vitro diagnostic test based on an algorithm that analyzes specific biomarkers present in gynecological fluids for minimally invasive diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

Mitiga Solutions: The emerging company that originated from the National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) offers solutions that enable businesses to manage risks related to natural disasters caused by climate change through science, AI-based predictive models, and supercomputing.

Roka Furadada: The startup develops and markets a new generation of intelligent photosensitive products that protect against solar radiation in a more efficient and non-toxic way for both humans and the environment.

Sener: The company, known for its innovative DNA, offers a complementary solution to centrally-managed systems to operate climate control autonomously and through AI in various spaces, such as factories, airports and shopping centers.