Participated · Series A · Jul 2024

Nearby Computing builds an orchestration and automation platform, NearbyOne, that manages edge computing deployments including MEC environments and private 5G networks. The platform targets industrial companies and telco operators and supports use cases such as Connected Vehicle, massive IoT, retail, and defense and security. The company says its solution manages all levels of the network ecosystem through a single interface to maximize edge benefits. Nearby reports rapid market traction and plans to expand its market coverage and sales force to accelerate adoption. The firm intends to consolidate leadership across North America, Asia‑Pacific and Europe. Its strategy emphasizes empowering companies and service providers with advanced edge computing and software automation solutions. Nearby Computing, founded in 2018 as a spin-off of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), builds orchestration and automation software for networks with a focus on Edge Computing and 5G. The company develops tools to deploy and maintain virtual network functions and high-value applications such as computer vision, augmented reality and IoT, optimizing resource efficiency and guaranteeing service levels. Its products target telco operators, industry (Industry 4.0), utilities, smart-city deployments and connected-vehicle networks. By 2020 Nearby Computing had commercial activity in Spain, elsewhere in Europe, North America and the Middle East and maintains a broad partner network. The approximately €2M raised in the seed round will be used to reinforce growth by scaling global commercialization, consolidating projects, expanding R&D capacity and improving customer service. Investors will also collaborate on commercialization in their markets and integrate the startup into advanced innovation programs.

Participated · Equity · Jun 2020

CounterCraft's Threat Deception Platform deceives cyberattackers into decoy architectures and records detailed data about how, what, when and where attackers attempted to penetrate a client's systems. The platform harvests intelligence from assets such as WiFi, SWIFT, email accounts and social media and can automatically convert that harvested data into proactive responses. The company describes its approach as “proactive defense” and adopts a Know‑Your‑Attacker stance to improve the quality of intelligence gathered. CounterCraft serves clients across Western Europe and North America, particularly national defense and intelligence departments, financial institutions and large enterprises. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Sebastian with offices in Madrid and London, the startup plans to expand its presence with sophisticated, large clients in the U.S. and European markets. Financially, CounterCraft recently raised $5 million in a funding round led by Adara Ventures. Countercraft develops online counterintelligence tools for the cybersecurity market, offering three types of licenses based on the number of campaigns customers run. The company was accelerated in Wayra UK and Wayra Madrid invested in the business. Its client base includes more than 20 Fortune 500 companies. Countercraft has about 20 employees and was founded two years before the article by three partners, including David Barroso and Fernando Braquehais. The startup has raised funds to develop its technology and expects first-year revenue of €1 million, with a 2018 revenue target of €3–4 million. It plans to use new capital to expand internationally across Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Countercraft develops automated online counterintelligence tools that create credible lures and false information to manipulate and monitor attackers. Its platform is sold via three types of licenses depending on the number of campaigns a customer wants to run. The company was founded two years earlier by three security specialists including David Barroso and Fernando Braquehais. Customers include more than 20 Fortune500 companies, and for its first fiscal year Countercraft expected to generate €1 million in revenue. The company planned to expand into new European countries and the Middle East in 2018 with a revenue target of €3–4 million. Countercraft operates from offices in London and Madrid. CounterCraft develops deception‑based counter‑intelligence cybersecurity solutions that use techniques and tools to detect, discover and manipulate attackers. The company runs counterintelligence campaigns aimed at detecting and neutralizing espionage and cybercrime operations. Founded in September 2015 by David Barroso (CEO), Dan Brett (CMO) and Fernando Braquehais (Software Architect), it was winner of the INCIBE acceleration program. CounterCraft has previously received financing from CDTI (via the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness) and from BicGipuzkoa through SPRI. In July 2016 the company closed a €1 million venture capital round to accelerate product development and support international expansion.

Participated · Equity · Jun 2020

Zeleros Global SL is a Valencian startup developing an electric propulsion system to autonomously transport port containers with zero direct emissions. The technology builds on knowledge generated during Zeleros’ hyperloop development and aims to mobilize large volumes of cargo while alleviating traffic around port areas. The company’s project is aligned with the EU Sustainable Development Goals and has received support from the Eureka‑Eurostars programme co‑financed by the CDTI. Financially, Zeleros received a subordinated loan of €400,000 from the Instituto Valenciano de Finanzas (IVF) to develop the propulsion system. The loan carries a 10‑year term with a three‑year grace period and is part of an IVF line for disruptive subordinated loans co‑financed with ERDF funds. The funding is intended to advance the project toward lower‑carbon, more sustainable port mobility and operations. Zeleros develops an integrated, scalable hyperloop system that aims to enable routes at speeds up to 1,000 km/h while reducing infrastructure cost and operating at safer pressure levels. Its core technology centers on vehicle-integrated solutions intended to lower per-kilometer infrastructure expense and support scalable deployment. The company is also applying its technologies to automate and decarbonize operations in ports and airports. Zeleros is partnering with industrial and research organizations across Europe and beyond, and has teamed with Airbus to test its electric propulsion system. The firm is constructing a pilot linear motor for logistics applications and will exhibit its Z01 vehicle model at the Spain Pavilion in Expo Dubai 2020 (Oct 2021–Mar 2022). Zeleros coordinates more than 180 professionals and some 50 partner organizations in its development program. Zeleros Hyperloop is advancing a hyperloop vehicle designed to efficiently cover routes between 400 and 1,500 kilometers. The company is developing core vehicle technologies and will use new funding to further that work. Led by CEO David Pistoni, Zeleros plans to deploy the European Hyperloop Development Centre in Spain, including a 3-km test track to demonstrate high-speed performance. The centre aims to create an ecosystem of international industrial, technological and institutional partners to accelerate the hyperloop industry in Europe. The firm is based in Valencia, Spain. It completed a financing round announced in January 2020 to support these development and demonstration activities. Zeleros develops a scalable hyperloop system that combines magnetic levitation and propulsion in autonomous vehicles running through low-pressure tubes. The company aims to reduce infrastructure costs to levels comparable with Spanish high-speed rail while enabling speeds of approximately 1,000 km/h. Founded in 2016 from a project at the Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, Zeleros is described as the first Spanish hyperloop company and operates out of Angels Capital's facilities in the Marina de Empresas in Valencia. Its approach focuses on minimizing infrastructure costs by integrating the principal technologies into the vehicle, targeting energy-efficient transport for passengers and freight. Financially, Angels Capital is set to increase a previously very minor venture-capital stake: part of the amount has already been contributed, another portion is committed, and some funding will be covered by public sources while multinational companies are expected to participate. Angels Capital noted the investment is an exception relative to its usual focus on already-operating, profitable businesses. Founded in 2016, Zeleros is the first Spanish hyperloop company developing a scalable system that integrates core technologies into an autonomous vehicle to minimize infrastructure costs. Its design targets speeds of up to 1,000 km/h with reduced energy consumption, using magnetic levitation inside low‑pressure tubes. The company originated at the Universitat Politècnica de València and was founded by David Pistoni, Daniel Orient, and Juan Vicen. Zeleros’s Hyperloop UPV prototype won Best Concept Design and Best Propulsion Subsystem at SpaceX’s 2015 competition. The improved vehicle, Valentia, was slated to compete in California that summer. As of the article, six companies worldwide were developing hyperloop systems, with Zeleros representing Spain; the company has received investment from Angels Capital and support from Lanzadera and Plug & Play España.