Four Córdoba startups—Avedian, Embryoxite, Gameet, and Pill.Ar—participated in an institutional and technological mission to the Basque Country, where they took part in B-Venture, one of the most important events in the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem, and visited key spaces within the Basque innovation system.

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The experience made it possible to establish connections with investment funds, accelerators, and corporations, as well as to gain in-depth knowledge of the collaboration model that links universities, hospitals, technology centers, and companies around scientific development and innovation.

The Córdoba Innovar y Emprender Agency supports these types of initiatives, which help project local talent and consolidate new opportunities for international cooperation for Córdoba-based startups.

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Avedian: learning and international connections

For Facundo Tabares, co-founder and CFO of Avedian, participating in B-Venture was “an extremely enriching experience,” both professionally and strategically. “We managed to make several contacts and present ourselves to investors, but we also had the chance to get to know the market, visit hospitals, and meet with key players in the healthcare system. We’re leaving with many valuable connections that open up new opportunities for the company’s development,” he shared.

The entrepreneur also emphasized that the experience was key to understanding the growth potential in the European market. “Coming here is invaluable. It allowed us to learn about the available grants and programs, the incentives for setting up a company in Spain, and the mechanisms that accelerate the expansion process. For Córdoba and for Argentina, this means more companies showcasing their products in new markets. And doing it face to face—showing demos and telling the story of each project—makes a huge difference.”

He also highlighted the value of collaborative work among the participating startups. “Beyond the event itself, the collective learning was enormous. We got to see how an ecosystem that combines innovation, investment, and healthcare is structured, and we’re coming back with a much clearer vision of how to move forward with internationalization.”

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Embryoxite: a collaboration model to follow

Among the startups co-invested by the Córdoba Innovar y Emprender Agency, Embryoxite—developer of fertility-focused technology—highlighted the level of interaction and the collaboration model of the local ecosystem observed during the mission. Its founder, Iván Anduaga, noted that the experience in Bizkaia “was a very concrete opportunity to build connections and understand how strong ecosystems are developed.”

“As a company in the healthcare sector, we were able to meet with investment funds from all over Spain and understand how opportunities are structured in Bizkaia. There were around 30 funds present, and each startup held between five and six productive meetings. That allowed us to validate our project and open new channels of conversation,” he said.

He explained that one of the biggest takeaways from the trip was seeing how the actors of the Basque ecosystem are interconnected. “They showed us how clusters, incubation programs, grants, and local funds work. It’s impressive to see the connection between universities, technology centers, hospitals, and funding bodies. Everything is designed so that a startup can grow, test, and validate its developments within a network. It’s a model worth looking at and adapting.”

The entrepreneur also highlighted the support of local institutions throughout the week. “We were able to visit different spaces, learn about startup support tools, and understand how innovation funds operate in Europe. It was a comprehensive experience that leaves us with valuable learnings we can apply to continue growing from Córdoba.”

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Gameet: connections and international recognition

Another of the startups co-invested by the Agency, Gameet, was also an active participant in the mission. Its CBDO, Fernando Javier Cardiello, described the program as a high-impact experience, both for the connections made and the international exposure achieved.

“We were welcomed by the Bizkaia Provincial Council and by BEAZ, the accelerator that works alongside them. From the BAT Tower, where startups are based, we took part in B-Venture at the Euskalduna Palace. It was an intense few days of meetings with funds, accelerators, incubators, and representatives from different regions of the Basque Country,” he explained.

Cardiello highlighted the recognition the Argentine startups received from the organizers. “They were surprised by the maturity of the proposals, and that positioned the participating companies and the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem very positively,” he said.

In addition, the delegation took part in institutional visits that deepened their understanding of the Basque system. “We toured the Cruces Hospital, where we were able to learn about different departments and technological services. We also participated in a meeting at the BAT Tower with authorities and representatives of the Basque healthcare ecosystem. It was very valuable to understand how public policy, business innovation, and private investment are connected within the same framework. We’re taking home very relevant contacts and a broader vision of how to build a collaborative ecosystem.”

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Pill.Ar: validation, connections, and a forward-looking vision

Pill.Ar, another startup co-invested by the Córdoba Innovar y Emprender Agency, was also part of the delegation. Its co-founder and CEO, Enzo Moriconi, highlighted that the experience was key to validating the company’s value proposition and connecting with strategic players in the European healthcare sector.

“B-Venture served as both a showcase and a validation space: it allowed us to confirm that the problem we address truly exists and that our solution adds value. In Europe, there is a strong need for tools that help manage healthy aging, chronic diseases, and treatment personalization, and experiences like this allow us to test our approach against industry leaders,” he explained.

He noted that the startup held more than a dozen meetings during the event, three of which will continue in further conversations. “It was a great opportunity to receive direct feedback and confirm that we’re on the right track,” he said.

Beyond the event itself, he emphasized the value of the following days. “Getting to know the Basque innovation ecosystem was impressive. We visited the Biodonostia Institute, one of the most important in the Basque Country, where they presented their research lines in precision medicine, mental health, and gynecology. There was a lot of interest in our solution, especially in the area of 3D printing of pharmaceuticals. We also toured the Bic Bizkaia incubator, which has top-level workspaces and equipment, and met with the Basque health cluster to understand how they execute the soft landing of new companies,” he detailed.

The entrepreneur also highlighted the final stage of the mission: “We took part in an event with leaders from the public and private sectors, where challenges related to regulation, innovative public procurement, and cases of collaboration between companies and the state were discussed. We had the opportunity to pitch in front of representatives from laboratories such as Bayer, Novo Nordisk, and Boehringer, and to connect with technology centers, which opens concrete doors for future validations. It was, without a doubt, the most enriching moment of the trip.”

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International linkage

The participation of the four Córdoba-based startups took place within the framework of a reverse mission of 12 Argentine health-sector ventures that traveled to Bizkaia between October 20 and 24. The goal was to learn about the local ecosystem, establish institutional ties, and explore opportunities for international cooperation.

This initiative followed up on the visit made months earlier to Argentina by representatives of the Bizkaia Provincial Council, Beaz, and BAT – B Accelerator Tower, with the aim of strengthening bilateral collaboration. In this context, the Córdoba Innovar y Emprender Agency signed a cooperation agreement with the Provincial Council, represented by Joseba Mariezkurrena, Director General of Entrepreneurship, Talent, and Business Competitiveness.

The agreement seeks to open new opportunities for connection and growth for Córdoba entrepreneurs in Europe, consolidating a network that fosters the circulation of knowledge, experiences, and entrepreneurial capital.