ICEX and Red.es Announce the Fall 2024 Desafía San Francisco Program Cohort, Featuring Spanish Women Entrepreneurs

Fall 2024 Desafía San Francisco Program Cohort

Madrid and San Francisco, October 10, 2024 – ICEX Spain Trade and Investment (ICEX) and Red .es announce today the selection of the startups admitted to the Fall 2024 edition of the Desafía San Francisco Immersion Program, led by Mind the Bridge. This second edition, exclusively dedicated to women entrepreneurs leading innovative Spanish tech startups, will run from November 4 to November 15, 2024, in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

The Fall 2024 cohort features the following innovative startups:

• ADParticles – A technology-based company, spin-off of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), specializing in revolutionary dry nanoparticle dispersion technology with applications in cosmetics, polymer & cement additives, catalysis, and more. Participant: Irene Zaldívar Notario, CEO
  

• Hotel Treats – A platform that enables luxury hotels such as St. Regis, Fairmont, and Nobu to sell gift vouchers and experiences online, boosting hotel revenues by connecting with local residents. Participant: Liza Iakovleva, Co-Founder 

• Medea Mind – A Deep Tech company offering precision mental healthcare with its Clinical Intelligence Software, assisting professionals in the evaluation, treatment, and monitoring of patients. Participant: Sara Zangri, CEO
  

• Nostos Marketing – Specializes in creating engaging digital content and automating marketing strategies for businesses using advanced platforms like HubSpot and ActiveCampaign. Participant: Laura Castillo, Founder 

• Ositos & Co. – Innovators in the food and beverage industry with the world’s first brand of alcohol-infused gummies, offering a unique experience with 15% alcohol content in a variety of flavors. Participant: Tamar Gigolashvili, Co Founder & Co CEO 

• Reboot Academy – An education platform offering accelerated, practical bootcamps for in-demand tech professions as well as a talent recruitment service. Participant: Romina Ojeda Brito, Cofounder and Marketing Director 

• Velada – A curated platform for discovering top restaurants across Spain, offering AI-powered personalized recommendations and exclusive dining experiences for premium users. Participant: Alexandra Papadopoulos, CEO & Co-founder

This cohort of trailblazing entrepreneurs will embark on a two-week immersion program in San Francisco, gaining invaluable insights into the Silicon Valley ecosystem through workshops, mentorship, and networking with leading tech companies and investors. 

Bobby Amiri, Head of Startup Products and Services at Mind the Bridge, commented, “This cohort showcases the incredible range of innovation coming from Spain, from cutting-edge mental health solutions to digital marketing and revolutionary food products. We are excited to see how these entrepreneurs will leverage their time in Silicon Valley to scale their ventures internationally.”

The Desafía San Francisco program has long been recognized as a critical gateway for Spanish startups looking to expand globally, providing access to top-tier educational institutions, venture capital networks, and unparalleled opportunities in the world’s most advanced entrepreneurial ecosystem. Moreover, and even more importantly, the program has been recently awarded the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade from the World Trade Organization (WTO) - ‘Women Entrepreneurs’ category. The recognition highlights the innovative and pioneering nature of the initiative and its potential to close the gender gap in international trade. 

Following the program, participants will remain connected through the Desafía Alumni network, fostering continued collaboration and innovation among Spain’s brightest entrepreneurs.