Initiatives that develop quantum simulations for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, machines that transform seaweed into reusable resources, a revolutionary injectable to treat sepsis, powders that encapsulate the benefits of the Mediterranean diet or the revaluation of vegetable by-products for use in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, are some of the startup initiatives whose CEOs will be trained in this edition of the HiTech CEO Academy.

This training programme, designed by UCAM HiTech with the support of Santander Universities, was inaugurated this afternoon, with the aim of providing CEOs with the necessary skills to lead science and technology-based start-ups in areas such as investment, finance, corporate development, communication, legal aspects and intellectual property. 

Over a period of six weeks, until 16 November, participants will receive both onsite as well as online continuing education. The programme includes two onsite blocks at the UCAM HiTech facilities, the innovation and business acceleration hub of the university (included in the Incyde Foundation's High Technology Incubator Network), as well as online masterclasses given by leading experts in the business and technology sector.

In this edition, nearly 90% of the participating startups come from outside the Region of Murcia, with a notable representation of companies from the Valencian Community, Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia. This reflects the national reach of the programme and its ability to attract entrepreneurial talent from across the country.

Juan Manuel Nuñez, director of Institutional Banking at Banco Santander in the Region of Murcia; Rosa Sánchez, head of startups Levante at Banco Santander, and Carlos Caballero, director of UCAM HiTech, participated in the opening ceremony of this training. It was also attended by renowned leaders of the business and innovation ecosystem, who addressed topics focused on communication, investment, scientific entrepreneurship and tech transfer. 

Learning from leaders in scientific entrepreneurship

With a commitment to scientific entrepreneurship, HiTech CEO Academy has added key figures from the sector to its programme, such as José María Lagarón (Head of the Joint Unit CSIC-UJI in Polymer Technology and Nanotechnology), Coco Newton (researcher at King's College Cambridge), Julio Sánchez Mariñas (Innovation Director CINFA), and Natalia Rodríguez (founder and CEO of Saturno Labs and National Innovation Award 2023), among others. 

The programme is taught through online sessions and flexible masterclasses, which allow for close interaction between participants and experts. The Q&A sessions provide a valuable opportunity for attendees to address their questions directly with experts in scientific entrepreneurship and tech transfer. 

The finishing touch; Pitch competition and €6,000 prize money

At the training programme finishes, a pitch competition between startups will be held with a prize of €6,000 for the most outstanding startup. Moreover, Daniel Oliver (Director of Capital Cell), Isabel Portero (Founder&CEO Biohope) and Francisco Muñoz (Senior Research Scientist at AstraZeneca), will also take part in the programme. 

HiTech CEO Academy is one of the key initiatives within the value offer that UCAM offers to researchers. Along with the UCAM HiTech Bootcamps, designed to accelerate startups in the health, food and sports fields, providing a unique opportunity to scale projects and attract investment.