Category: Uncategorized

ALLIANCES AND MERGERS" "" "There is great redundancy in most early stage technology environments. This is usually weeded out over time by healthy mergers and acquisitions. This has yet to happen in Catalonia where this is a rather foreign concept. View in LinkedIn

CATALAN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS ARE TOO SMALL" "" "Catalan therapeutics companies have largely been funded on gas fumes rather than the kind of heavy capital engine needed to develop a new drug. It is clear that some investors in this space do not understand this reality. View in LinkedIn

GOVERNANCE TRANSPARENCY" "" "Most Catalan tech companies lack transparent and modern governance, using "Advisory Boards" in lieu of proper boards of directors with teeth to govern properly, and default to back-room deals between investors. This has to change. View in LinkedIn

WHACKY CAPITAL STRUCTURES" "" "Most Catalan tech companies lack modern capital structures (stock option plans). While the Spanish law has silly rules on this, there are work-a rounds that are viable. Some, or most, international investors demand that these are in place before investing. View in LinkedIn

WE NEED A SUCCESS STORY" "" "Catalan investors are on the sidelines regarding investing in technology in part because Catalonia has lacked a high visibility exit. Most other mature technology ecosystems notched up a few successes before the spark was lit. We need to get on with it! View in LinkedIn

BUNDLED DEALS" "" "I think in the coming year or two we will see more bundled technology deals that give investors critical mass and diversification. These kinds of deals may be needed to get over the high hurdle of attracting foreign capital to Spain. View in LinkedIn

MENTORS AND EXPERTS VALIDATE TECH COMPANIES" "" "Having international heavyweights as part of your governance gives critical third-pretty validation to tech companies. Catalan companies are way behind on learning this lesson. View in LinkedIn

YOU NEED MENTORS AND EXPERTS" "" "Catalan technology companies, for the most part, suffer from being home-grown and too local. The capital structures are often faulty, and some local investors are too controlling. There is an almost universal lack of international Mentors and Experts validating Catalan tech companies. View in LinkedIn

HUNDREDS ARE WORKING TO HELP CATALAN TECH COMPANIES" "" "It is impressive to me to meet many people overseas who are working to advance the Catalan technology company infrastructure and cause. Many are in government, others in the private sector. They are there to help you find money and partners. View in LinkedIn

ADVENTURA'S BRIDGES PROGRAM" "" "We have spent some if the past year building international bridges to Catalonia. These include Israel, Japan, Boston, Silicon Valley, Malaysia, to name a few, with hundreds of targeted cities worldwide with people ready to help on board companies. View in LinkedIn