CriteriaCaixa, the holding of the La Caixa Foundation, plans to allocate 300 million euros to innovative scientific and technological startups through its funds Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech.
CriteriaCaixa, the holding that manages the business assets of the La Caixa Foundation, has announced its intention to reach an investment volume of 300 million euros in innovative scientific and technological startups with high potential. The initiative will be channelled through its two funds, Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech, aiming to promote transformative therapies and technologies that prioritise long-term value creation in Spain and Portugal, and selectively, in Europe and North America.
Commitment to the Spanish Innovative Ecosystem
Currently, around 70% of the portfolio value corresponds to investments in Spain, reflecting “the firm commitment of the entity to the development of the business fabric and the innovation ecosystem of the country,” according to sources from CriteriaCaixa in a statement. This approach seeks to consolidate the entity's role as a driver of innovation in the Iberian Peninsula.
The plan is part of the Strategic Plan 2030 of CriteriaCaixa, which also includes a name change for its venture capital management company. Caixa Capital Risc, founded in 2002 within La Caixa and a 100% subsidiary of CriteriaCaixa since 2013, will operate under the brand Criteria Capital Risc. The rebranding will not entail changes in the structure or portfolio of the management company, which has been a key investor in venture capital in the Iberian Peninsula for over 20 years.
Focus on Biotechnology and Health
Criteria Bio Ventures is the investment fund of Criteria Capital Risc specialised in biotechnology and health. Its mission is to identify, finance, and support innovative companies that develop new therapies. This fund focuses on projects with a solid scientific base, highly qualified teams, and clear scalability and impact potential.
Among its current portfolio startups are Minoryx Therapeutics, which develops therapies for rare diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy and Rett syndrome, and Adaptam Therapeutics, focused on immuno-oncology. It also invests in Aboleris Pharma, dedicated to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis; NRG Therapeutics, which develops therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Parkinson's; Tolerance Bio, focused on developing therapies capable of reversing immune system aging; and Cytospire, also in the field of immuno-oncology.
For readers interested in the Spanish biotechnology sector, this investment represents a significant backing for local research and an opportunity for scientifically-based startups to access strategic funding. CriteriaCaixa thus positions itself as a key player in the innovation ecosystem, with a focus on long-term value creation.
The announcement comes at a time when venture capital investment in Spain shows signs of maturity, with growing interest from large holdings in supporting technology-based projects. CriteriaCaixa's commitment to biotechnology and health reinforces the trend of seeking solutions with social impact and economic return.
As for timelines, the entity has not specified a concrete schedule for reaching the 300 million, but the goal is aligned with its roadmap until 2030. Entrepreneurs and startups in the sector can expect greater availability of capital for projects with high scientific and technological potential.
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