Alumni who transform their ideas into successful projects

20/11/2024

The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona stands out not only for its academic excellence and the quality of its training, but also for  the commitment and innovation of its alumni. Many have decided to become entrepreneurs, creating their own businesses and projects that are making a difference in various sectors. 

The UAB Alumni Network has seen the emergence of increasingly  relevant entrepreneurial talent in recent years, from technology start-ups to companies oriented towards social impact. Alumni are trained in the values of teamwork, creativity and social responsibility and have found in entrepreneurship a way to apply their knowledge and develop solutions that respond to current needs.

 

The UAB has become an environment that trains highly qualified professionals and supports the development of their business projects. Through the UAB Alumni Network, they can access a series of resources and a network of contacts that facilitates the process of entrepreneurship. In addition, the university has developed spaces such as Emprèn UAB, which promotes and guides those who decide to start their entrepreneurial path.

With this support, alumni can also find the help they need to overcome the initial challenges of entrepreneurship and connect with other entrepreneurs. This support network is essential in the first steps, but it also represents a long-term competitive advantage, as it allows for constant growth and opportunities for collaboration. 

 

The success of many entrepreneurial alumni demonstrates the potential that good training and a supportive ecosystem can generate. In this sense, there are people like Estel Malgosa, PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology'23 and co-founder of INARI, a UAB spin-off that reflects how ideas arising in the university field can become successful companies. Entrepreneurs like Estel have been able to take advantage of their knowledge, experience and the support of the university to take their projects to the next level. "My studies at the UAB have provided me with all the necessary knowledge when it comes to research," explains Estel.

Estel, to someone who is considering entrepreneurship, I would say "don't think about it too much, bet hard and keep going. It's not easy, but if you have a good product or service that can really make an impact,  jump into the pool."

Albert Gil, Computer Engineering'18, who is CTO of YourTech Tribe has found in entrepreneurship a way of being and living. With a career that formally began in 2019, when he registered as a freelancer after several projects, Albert has applied his experience in computer science and technology to innovate in fields such as marketing and artificial intelligence. All its initiatives have people and digital technology as a common denominator, a focus that has allowed it to add value to its projects. "The UAB has always been a benchmark for me," says Albert, who highlights proximity and campus life as decisive factors in choosing the university.

Currently, Albert leads the development of M.IA, an AI-based financial assistant that helps SMEs better manage their finances through multi-agent technologies. He is also an Associate Professor at the UAB School of Engineering, where he teaches training in Big Data and artificial intelligence. For him, entrepreneurship is "a way to create impact and value with your own ideas and in the way you want", always looking for creative ways to solve problems and generate innovative solutions. "If someone wants to be an entrepreneur, I would say that it is a path of great responsibility, but also of great freedom. It is important to have patience, a lot of perseverance and, above all, a clear vision, although you will never be sure if you have any of the three," adds Albert. He says that learning from mistakes and adapting quickly are key to moving forward. In addition, he explains that "If you had to learn a skill, let it be this, to adapt to change. If you already do things differently from the rest, entrepreneurship is your path".

 

In short, the talent of UAB alumni is demonstrating that entrepreneurship is an effective way to generate impact on society, and that with the right support, it is possible to transform ideas into successful projects. For the UAB, the success of entrepreneurial alumni is proof of their commitment to innovation and progress, and an invitation to all those who dream of creating their own professional path.

 

Emprèn UAB

For those alumni interested in entrepreneurship, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona has Emprèn UAB, a space that offers specialized advice to the entire University community that has an entrepreneurial idea or project and wants to develop it. From training in basic skills, the validation of the idea, development of the project, to the creation of the company and its acceleration.

In addition, with Alumni UAB, through events and networking activities, you have the opportunity  to connect with other professionals and learn from good practices to find the necessary impetus to start or grow their business.

If you have an entrepreneurial idea, check out Emprèn UAB!