Supporting entrepreneurs

Hubbik is where innovative ideas and entrepreneurial projects come to life. It is a collaborative ecosystem that nurtures and supports open innovation and entrepreneurial projects, helping to transfer results and develop business initiatives. This platform supports entrepreneurship through programmes such as SpinUOC or EduTECH Emprèn, a pre-acceleration programme for entrepreneurs with an innovative e-learning business idea. These projects are supported by mentoring schemes, training, in-house pilot tests and a network of experts and investors at every stage of development.

Invergy helps start-ups and spin-offs in the sectors of education and ICTs linked to the University's fields of knowledge. This academic year, the UOC made the following investments through Invergy:

Two pilot tests were launched as part of the entrepreneurship working group of the University's Competitiveness Committee.

The first application designed exclusively to help children with Down syndrome, ASD and other types of learning disabilities to learn to read.

Of this, €100,000 was invested in the share capital of the start-ups BeChallenge and Diversity Apps, and €75,000 in SeniorDomo by means of an equity loan.

An advanced telecare service for the elderly.

A platform for the education sector that makes it easier to design and manage digital learning environments based on collaboration and creativity.

The pilot tests for the start-up internship service were launched. We worked with the University's faculties and the Internship and Mobility Service to find the most suitable internships at start-ups. Thirty internships were created.

A mentoring service for start-ups and spin-offs in partnership with Alumni. The aim of this mentoring programme is to connect students with an entrepreneurial spirit, significant professional experience and a clear wish to help others with start-ups in our university community, so that they can contribute to their growth and success through their knowledge and experience.

The UOC community's call for entrepreneurship and transfer funding applications supports eight initiatives chosen for their innovative nature, potential and social impact. The final of the eighth SpinUOC was due to be held in June but, due to the pandemic, it was finally held on 1 October 2020.

The UOC supported start-ups at Barcelona Tech Spirit, an event that arose spontaneously following the cancellation of 4YFN and MWC and was held in Barcelona from 23 to 27 February 2020. The start-ups BeChallenge, Diversity Apps (Jo també llegeixo), FilmClub and B-Resol were all present at the EdTech education and technology industry event. And the Pre-seed Tech Startup Pitch: Inspiring the Future event featured the start-ups FilmClub, PotMath and Chordata. In addition, other UOC-promoted companies were present in other activities, such as Go Zero Waste, SeniorDomo and Dicus.