Programa Desafía

As we prepare for this Fall’s Programa Desafía Boston, an initiative by ICEX powered by Richi LifeSciences, we are proud to spotlight another incredible member of our alumni community: PlusVitech. Soluciones Oncológicas.

PlusVitech is a Spanish biotechnology company developing safe, targeted therapeutic treatments for cancer, driven by a vital mission to restore hope to patients who have exhausted traditional options.

Having joined us during our inaugural Desafía Boston edition, their team experienced firsthand what true immersion in the world's leading life sciences hub can unlock.

"To PlusVitech, Desafía Boston was a true gateway to the global ecosystem," shares Fran Guillén, CBO at PlusVitech. "It allowed us to engage directly with top industry experts and establish high-value relationships that continue to open doors for our international expansion."

Stories like PlusVitech’s are a great reminder of why this program exists. Seeing Spanish founders take their science to Boston, make lasting global connections, and keep building that momentum long after the immersion ends is what it’s all about.

We can't wait to see where Fran and the PlusVitech team take their technology next!

The 3rd Edition of Programa Desafía Boston powered by Richi LifeSciences has just kicked off with a day-long bootcamp in Madrid!

During this first day, we had the chance to meet each other, participants received pitching training from Pablo Caño Sterck, went over program logistics, and Ricardo Garcia, from Richi LifeSciences, led an outreach session to prepare the cohort for their immersion in Boston.

Altum Sequencing, Oniria Therapeutics, Biohope, Oncostellae, OneChain Immunotherapeutics, I+Med, JSN Biomedicals & Oncomatryx Biopharma, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Boston, here they come!

ICEX

Imagine gaining the exact tools, market intelligence, and network needed to launch your life sciences startup into the world's leading innovation ecosystem: Boston.

For Paula Garfella Lorente, CEO of BioClonal, a Spanish biotech developing innovative antibody-based approaches for Alzheimer’s disease, this became a reality after participating in Programa Desafía Boston powered by Richi LifeSciences.

"The program helped us adapt BioClonal's narrative and positioning, giving us a better understanding of how to communicate our project to international investors and potential partners," Paula shares. "That shift in focus has been fundamental to continuing our growth and internationalization strategy."

Two years later, the connections Paula built in Boston continue to open doors and drive BioClonal's expansion.

We are now getting ready to welcome the next cohort of innovative Spanish startups to Boston this Fall, with founders who are ready to make that exact same leap.

Stay tuned! We'll soon be officially announcing the selected startups joining us in Boston for this year's edition of Programa Desafía, powered by Richi LifeSciences. 🚀

ICEX

🚨 Spanish Biotech Startups: The countdown is down to 48 hours! Don't miss your chance to join the Programa Desafía Boston Fall 2026 Edition. This exclusive immersion program, organized by ICEX and powered by Richi LifeSciences, is your gateway to the world's leading life sciences hub.

📆 Take note of the specific deadline: Applications close strictly on July 2nd at 15:00 CEST. Don't wait until the end of the day, or you'll miss the window!

If your Spanish biotech startup is ready to scale and considering expanding into the US market, this is your moment. From October 19th to 30th, you'll immerse yourself in Boston's elite ecosystem and connect with the key stakeholders, investors, and advisors who can power your venture forward.

The clock is ticking, and slots are limited. Complete your application today 👇
https://boston.desafia.icex.es/

⏳ Only 1 week left to apply for Programa Desafía Boston Fall 2026 Edition!

Are you a Spanish biotech looking to scale? Don’t miss your chance to join our fast-track immersion program in the world’s leading life sciences ecosystem.

From October 21st to 30th, selected companies will plug directly into Boston's elite network, connecting with key investors, industry experts, advisors, and top-tier market players.

🚀 An investment in your global scaling: To help you maximize this opportunity, Desafia fully backs the program costs, meaning you'll only need to cover your travel and accommodation.

Competition is fierce and slots are limited. Don’t wait until the last minute to secure your spot in Boston!

👉 Learn more and apply here: https://boston.desafia.icex.es/

ICEX Richi LifeSciences

Only 2 days left! ⏳ If you’ve been thinking about expanding your Spanish biotech startup into the Boston ecosystem, this is your chance to get the inside track.

Join us this Wednesday, June 17th at 3pm CEST for an informative session on the Programa Desafía Boston 2026.

What to expect:

•⁠ ⁠Direct insights from leadership at ICEX, the Spanish Economic & Commercial Offices in Boston and Chicago, and Richi LifeSciences.

•⁠ ⁠A full breakdown of the program’s structure, benefits, and timeline.

•⁠ ⁠A live Q&A session to sharpen your application ahead of the July 2nd deadline.

📅 When: Wednesday, June 17th at 3:00 PM (Spanish Time / CEST)
📍 Where: Online

Spaces are filling up. Grab your seat today!
https://www.icex.es/es/agenda/conferencia-desafia-boston-empresas-biotech-2026

Thinking about expanding your Spanish biotech startup into the Boston ecosystem? Get all your questions answered directly by the experts. 🇺🇸

Join the informative webinar for Programa Desafía Boston 2026, organized by ICEX and powered by Richi LifeSciences. Discover how this immersion experience can connect your biotechnology innovation to the world’s most active life sciences hub.

The session will feature:
- Welcome Words by Gonzalo A. Navarro Hernández (Director of Infrastructures and Industrial Technology, ICEX), Erik Rovina Mardones (Economic and Commercial Counselor, Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Chicago), and Isabel Rata (Economic and Commercial Counselor, Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Boston).
- Program Presentation by Ricardo Garcia García (President, Richi Foundation).
- Q&A Session to help optimize your application before the July 2nd deadline.

📅 When: Wednesday, June 17th at 3:00 PM (Spanish Time / CEST)
📍 Where: Online (Free registration required)

🔗 Secure your spot now: https://www.icex.es/es/agenda/conferencia-desafia-boston-empresas-biotech-2026

If your biotech startup’s roadmap doesn’t include Boston, it’s time to redraw the map. 🗺️

Programa Desafía Boston 2026 applications are officially open!

Organized by ICEX and powered by Richi LifeSciences, this immersive program is the ultimate bridge between Spanish innovation and the world’s most active life sciences hub.

What you’ll get:
- Executive Training: Master U.S. health regulations, legal frameworks, and funding strategies.
- Strategic Networking: Connect with top-tier investors, VCs, and key ecosystem players.
- Site Visits: Tour elite incubators, hospitals and state of the art institutions in Boston.
- 1-on-1 Mentoring: Get personalized guidance from sector experts.
- Demo Day: Pitch your technology directly to active Boston stakeholders.

Don’t miss the chance to join the global Desafía community and scale your technology and science!

👇 Learn more and apply today: https://www.icex.es/es/agenda/desafia-biotecnologia-boston-2026

That’s a wrap on Programa Desafía Boston, powered by Richi Entrepreneurs! 🎉

In the final days of the program, our Spanish biotech startups participated in high-impact sessions on fundraising, investor engagement, U.S. market strategy, negotiation tactics, and startup valuation. They put their skills to the test in an exciting pitch contest, receiving valuable feedback from expert jurors.

A special moment was our visit to the , where participants connected with the mission behind Richi Entrepreneurs—supporting families facing childhood cancer.

We closed this incredible journey with Toast to Impact, a networking event that brought together participants, industry leaders, and Boston’s life sciences community for an evening of connections, inspiration, and celebration.

A huge thank you to all the experts who shared their knowledge and time!

We can’t wait to see what’s next for these incredible startups! 🚀

ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones

Programa Desafía Boston by Richi Entrepreneurs is off to an incredible start! 🚀

As we dive into the second week, our Spanish biotech startups are not only gaining key insights to expand into the U.S. market but also having a great time along the way!. Today, we explored the U.S. healthcare system, immigration regulations, and visited the cutting-edge LabCentral facilities.

Last week, participants honed their pitches for the U.S. market, mastered the art of engaging with venture capitalists, and explored alternative funding avenues like philanthropic ventures. They also took part in insightful panels with top investors and visited state-of-the-art spaces like SmartLabs.

A huge thank you to all the speakers and partners who have shared their expertise : Chris Ilsley, Benjamin Bradford, Chuck Goldstone, Doug Zingale, Ricardo García, John Higgins, Samuel Shafner, Marla Jalbut, MD, MBA, Hugh (Ren) Roome, Joachim Scholz, Peter Bak, Scott Requadt, Giovanni Abbadessa, Robert Gottlieb, Valerie Vigoda, MBA, CIPP, Donald B. Hawthorne, Thomas Goss, Daniel Blanchard, Alan Braly, Ellen Sullivan, Lindsey Tillman, David Vaughn MSM, Argenis Pena and Michael Bambery.

To celebrate this incredible journey, we’re hosting a special networking event on Wednesday, the 26th, at 5 PM at Cambridge Foundry! 🎉 Join us for an evening of meaningful connections, insightful conversations, and a toast to innovation. Spots are limited, and only a few remain—secure yours now!

🔗 https://www.richifoundation.org/rsvp-toast-to-impact