Imagin Unveils Incubator to Propel Sustainable Entrepreneurship Projects
Imagin, the pioneering neobank aimed at the younger generation in Spain and backed by CaixaBank, has launched a new incubator initiative focused on accelerating sustainable entrepreneurship. This program, which kicks off in February, is designed to support young individuals with innovative, eco-conscious ideas that have the potential to make a meaningful impact on society and the environment.
The incubator will work with eight carefully selected teams, each consisting of three young entrepreneurs aged 16 and older who have previously participated in the imaginPlanet Challenge, a competition dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial ideas among the youth. This marks the fifth edition of the imaginPlanet Challenge, a key event that helps foster young talent in the field of sustainability.
The incubator’s main goal is to offer hands-on support to these promising young entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their ideas into successful, sustainable ventures. Each team will benefit from mentorship, specialized training, and access to resources that will help them navigate the journey from concept to realization. The four-month program will provide tailored guidance, with each team paired with a mentor specializing in both entrepreneurship and sustainability. These mentors will assist the teams in developing their projects and provide the tools and insights necessary for their growth.
Furthermore, the participants will receive training from a group of seasoned professionals and experts. These specialists will offer valuable insights on various aspects of entrepreneurship, from the initial idea phase to the execution of the final product. Participants will gain expertise in market research, product development, marketing strategy, and financial sustainability, all of which are critical in building a successful business. The incubator will also emphasize the importance of sustainability, ensuring that all projects have a positive environmental and social impact.
One of the key features of the incubator is the use of the ‘66 Incubation Method,’ a structured methodology that guides entrepreneurs through the essential stages of business development. This method helps entrepreneurs focus on the most critical elements needed to create a successful venture. The ‘66 Incubation Method’ is inspired by the famous Route 66 in the United States, which passes through eight states, each representing a crucial theme that participants will need to explore during the program.
These themes include topics like market research, product development, and financial planning, all of which are central to ensuring that a business is both viable and sustainable in the long run. By following this method, participants will not only have a clear roadmap for their projects but will also be better equipped to navigate the challenges of today’s competitive business world.
At the culmination of the program, Imagin will host a Demo Day, an exciting event where the teams will have the opportunity to present their projects to a panel of investors, experts, and industry leaders. This Demo Day will allow the teams to showcase their hard work and demonstrate the progress they have made during the incubation process. It will also serve as an opportunity to attract potential investors who may be interested in supporting the development of these innovative and sustainable projects.
The first cohort of teams selected for the incubator includes a diverse range of ideas, each addressing different aspects of sustainability. The following are some of the teams chosen for the first edition of the incubator:
- Agro4Data – This finalist team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2024 is made up of David Estebala Castillo and Rubén Estebala Castillo, students from Complutense University of Madrid and Carlos III University of Madrid. Their project focuses on the development of software (API/SaaS) that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize the management of agricultural resources.
- By providing predictions and insights, Agro4Data aims to help farmers use resources more efficiently during cultivation.
- Power Barley (Protein Bar-Ley) – Another finalist team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2024, consisting of María Santiago Gutierrez, Francisco José Puente Rodríguez de Austria, and María del Carmen García Barrera, from Pablo de Olavide University in Seville. Their project is centered on creating protein bars made from barley bagasse, a by-product of barley processing. This project seeks to tackle food waste while promoting sustainability. In addition, the team is committed to reducing plastic waste by using recycled paper made from the same barley waste to package the bars.
- BioTank – This team, also a finalist from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2024, includes Sandra Paniagua, Elena Álvarez, and Gema Bravo, from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. BioTank is an innovative project that uses artificial intelligence to optimize the growth of microalgae, which can absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere.
- This AI-based system adjusts environmental conditions like light, temperature, and nutrients to maximize the algae’s ability to capture CO₂, contributing to the fight against climate change.
- Oldies – A finalist team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2022, consisting of Serena Foschi, Raúl Portal, and Sandra Foschi, from the University of Granada.
- Their project aims to improve the well-being of elderly individuals by connecting them with others through an app designed to promote outdoor activities, sustainable leisure, and new social connections. The goal is to help seniors discover new ways to enjoy their time, engage with their community, and stay active.
- Som-hi – A finalist team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2021, composed of Alejandro Cavazos, Marc Fisa, and Adrià Serrano, from La Salle University, the University of Barcelona, and the Vallès School of Architecture. Som-hi is an initiative that connects the impact ecosystem with sustainable practices, bridging the gap between the two to make sustainability accessible to all.
- Utopia – The winning team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2023, made up of Cosmin, Laura, and Pablo, from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Utopia has developed an innovative AI solution for early detection of forest fires. Their technology uses cameras to detect signs of forest fires, enabling quicker responses and better prevention measures in real time.
- Juguemods – A finalist team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2023, composed of Juan, Ezequiel, and Inés, from Madrid. Their project involves a series of games designed to simulate a TV program about sustainability, targeting university students. By streaming these games, they aim to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and collaborate with NGOs, associations, and brands that support sustainability.
- Skomb-by-Tex – A team from the imaginPlanet Challenge 2024, consisting of Luisanny Lara Martínez, Brais H. Barrán, and Lucía Rodríguez Soto, from Galicia. Skomb-by-Tex focuses on the development of a sustainable biomaterial made from the residues of Kombucha tea. The material is biodegradable, compostable, and versatile, offering a potential solution to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.
Through the launch of this incubator, Imagin not only seeks to support individual projects but also to create a community of young innovators who are passionate about making a positive difference in the fight against climate change. The incubator offers a unique opportunity to nurture sustainable entrepreneurship, empowering young people to transform their ideas into impactful solutions that benefit both society and the environment. The overarching aim of the program is to promote projects that contribute to a more sustainable future, demonstrating the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time.
