Monthly Wrap - 6th Edition - March 2014
A steady stream of news this month. Barcelona continues to make make waves on the tourism and social gaming markets. Go us!
As always please send news and gossip to [email protected] - Let the community know what’s going on.
Sadly, its worth reading the Tech.eu piece on the new crowdfunding regulations in Spain
O Did you knOw about ODIGEO?
We are sure you have all heard, but we are fit to burst at the news that Barcelona’s very own eDreams has become the first Spanish IPO since 2011. The amazing team down in the harbour have been spreading to new markets and growing like crazy. This also marks the first time that the Monthly Wrap has linked to a story on Reuters!! *sniffle* More info here>
The wealth of social gaming companies in Barcelona is creating a virtuous circle with talent from Digital Chocolate, Social Point and others combining to create Omnidrone. This cauldron of talent has raised €1.5 million in funding from top notch VC’s Nokia Growth Partners (NGP), London Venture Partners (LVP) and Kibo Ventures. All of this before they even launch their first product. We like their style!
More info here>(spanish) or here> (english)
From our friends in Barcinno we hear that Barcelona based VC Ysios Capital is putting together a €100m fund to invest in up to 15 companies in the life sciences and medical technology fields. They will be hoping to build on their big success from 2011 when Biovex was sold to Amgen for up to €1bn. More info here>
An eagle eyed birdie has spotted job listings for Barcelona on the website of the uber-innovator. Enemy of taxistas and friend of drunken hookups, could Uber’s next target be our fair city? See our jobs links below.
Social Point are continuing their impressive growth registering a cool 168% increase in revenue in 2013, hitting an amazing €43 million. This and the four new games that are coming on stream in 2013 promises a healthy return for their investors who include Greylock Partners, Idinvest and Nauta Capital. More info here> (Spanish)
We have mentioned Knok on the Monthly Wrap several times and here we go again! They brought something new and fresh to the home-swapping market and now they have honed their product further by focusing their efforts on the family segment of the home swap market. They are also taking out the pain points by verifying identities and properties. Knoktastic! More info here>
The Next Web are running a vote on who gets to represent Spain at the prestigious TNW conference in Amsterdam on April 24. Four out of the five on the list are Barcelona based and they all kick ass. Of course here at Barcelona IO we are strictly neutral, the important thing is to have your say! More info here>
Brandcrumb is a neat idea that focuses on bring brands and content producers together. For content producers it automates the linking of the names of brand in content directly to that brand’s site. Brands only pay per click, keeping everyone happy! More info here>
Rock Your Meal is bringing innovation to your kitchen. Dust down that spice rack and input the food you have available into their clever system and it will suggest meals for you to try out. Same food, new menus, brilliant. More info here>
Complete with one of the grooviest startup names we have heard in a while, Ohlalapps are here to help non-techies build apps for their businesses. Its a white label services that offers video tutorials, a knowledge base and professional help for more ambitious projects. Magnifique! More info here>
Seedrocket will be running their “XI CAMPUS DE EMPRENDEDORES PARA STARTUPS” in Barcelona from 26 to 30 May 2014. The event offers training and access to sources of funding. Places are limited and the deadline for applications is 6 May. More info here>
Google googling the next Google
The application deadline has just closed for NEXT, a pre-accelerator program supported by Google Entrepreneurs and hosted by the epic team at itnig. Over the next 5 weeks the chosen entrants will get weekly coaching sessions and the best team will be invited to a global demo day event. More info here>
Here it is folks - those Barcelona based jobs on Uber. Don’t all rush at once!
Bibulu are looking for Part-time Customer Support / Account Management
Knok are looking for Sales and Customer Care, French Market
Redbooth are looking for UX/UI Designer
Edition 1 - September 2013 featuring Marfeel, Typeform, 3scale and Similify, among others!
Edition 2 - October 2013 featuring Teambox, Restalo, Passwordbank, Scytl and many more!
Edition 3 - November 2013 featuring Trip4Real, Treevo, Silicon Barri, Wallapop, Honest and Smile and more!
Edition 4 - December 2013 and January 2014 featuring Audiosnaps, Kantox, Redbooth, iSegurosdeSalud, Wuaki, Instaroom, Bidaway and more!
Edition 5 - February 2014 featuring Lodgify, Infantium, Medprive, UppTalk, Voz.io, Vilynx and more!
The Monthly Wrap is brought to you by Barcelona IO and is written by@QuinnDonal