Fundación Innovación y Desarrollo ( Innovation and Development Foundation , FIDBAN) has held the 23rd Investor Round with the participation of the startups Alfa Bitcoin and Sinpa, consolidating its role as a key platform to connect entrepreneurs and investors in Cantabria and internationally.
The event, which took place in the Assembly Hall of the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), began with the intervention of Diego Lainz, director of FIDBAN and professor at UNEATLANTICO, who welcomed the attendees and gave a summary of the recent activity of FIDBAN. Lainz highlighted the foundation’s commitment to the Cantabrian entrepreneurial ecosystem and its collaboration with the Universidad Europea del Atlántico in the organisation of conferences for entrepreneurs. He also highlighted its growing international presence, as evidenced by the recent investment rounds in Central America and Mexico, as well as its important contribution to the trade mission organised by SODERCAN in Mexico in February.
Next, Fermín Mier, from Cadena SER, interviewed Juan Carlos Bugallo, founder of Startups ST and La Cantera Capital. Bugallo highlighted the potential of Cantabria to develop an investment club that provides startups with access to key investment for their growth and development.
Juan Carlos Bugallo explained that La Cantera Capital arose as a response to the need to create investment vehicles that connect projects with local and professional investors. Bugallo emphasised the importance of collaboration and support for entrepreneurs as key factors in strengthening the ecosystem. He also highlighted that Startups ST offers incubation, acceleration, investment and softlanding programmes.
The first startup to present its project was Alfa Bitcoin, led by Gael Sánchez. This platform, founded by three experts in cryptocurrencies such as Juan Pablo Mejía, Juan Rodríguez and Gael himself of Cantabrian origin, seeks to combat misinformation in the sector through analysis and education tools. Sánchez highlighted that cryptoassets are in a phase of widespread adoption and that Alfa Bitcoin offers solutions such as ‘Analysis Videos’ and ‘Investment Indicators’, as well as a membership system.
Afterwards, Gisela Silva, responsible for the implementation in Spain of Sinpa, presented this innovative SaaS for the hospitality sector. Sinpa allows customers to order, pay and tip in a single movement via a QR code, improving the user experience and optimising the operations of establishments.
The event reaffirmed FIDBAN ‘s commitment to the dynamisation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, supported by its board of trustees, composed of FUNIBER, SODERCAN, the European University of the Atlantic, CITICAN, CEOE-CEPYME and the city councils of Santander and Torrelavega.