Investment in health startups in Catalonia has registered a new record this first semester, reaching 296 million euros. The 100 million euro round closed by the dental health startup Impress has largely contributed. According to Biocat data, this surpasses the amount obtained throughout 2021, when 238 million euros were reached.
Leaving Impress aside, biotech companies have been the protagonists during the first semester of 2022, registering a rebound and reaching 150 million euros. This is also the highest figure recorded to date, above the 147 million raised in 2020. This increase was due to two venture capital operations: the capital increase of 51 million euros by Minoryx Therapeutics and the 50 million euro round by Splice Bio.
The growth of medical technologies also stands out, with 110 million euros raised, mainly by Impress's megaround. For their part, digital health startups have raised 30 million euros, a figure similar to that of the same period last year.
Venture capital has continued to be the main driver of this growth in financing, accounting for 87% of the capital raised and accumulating 258 million euros in 25 operations. Of these, 95% have had international participation. Currently, about 110 foreign investors operate in Catalonia, a figure that has accelerated since 2019, when the total stood at 49.
Most funds come from Europe, mainly from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Kurma, Mangrove Capital, Idinvest, and Fund+ are the international firms that have co-invested in more rounds of Catalan startups. The general director of Biocat, Robert Fabregat, points to the presence of local venture capital funds, such as Ysios, Alta Life Sciences, Asabys, Invivo Capital, Inveready, or Caixa Capital Riesgo, as a "key lever" to attract foreign capital.