• Investments worth 1.8 million euros were made from Spain in 15 startups, 29% more than the previous year. Countercraft, Ludus, Kymatio, Proppos, Humanox, Pridatec, Galgus, AliasRobots, Kenmei, Payflow, and YBVR are the projects in which Wayra Spain invested from its Madrid and Barcelona offices, while Wayra X invested in Peoople, Blabla, Nannyfy, and Suscrip. 2020 was also the year in which Telefónica acquired two startups backed by Wayra for the first time: Govertis and Ihacklabs, with the aim of strengthening its cybersecurity capabilities. Wayra, Telefónica's open innovation hub, invested a total of €4.5 million in 39 startups across Europe in 2020. and Latin America. Of the total invested by Wayra globally, investments from Spain amounted to €1.8 million in 15 startups, a 29% increase over the previous year. The projects are related to artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, video, virtual reality, cybersecurity, connectivity, data analytics, and fintech. Wayra is thus reinforcing its objective of supporting technology startups that align with Telefónica's strategic projects. Wayra's investment is up to €250,000 per company and helps companies develop business with the group and connect with key Telefónica business areas. Wayra Spain's investments are as follows:
  1. Countercraft: Wayra is investing again in this San Sebastián-based startup, a pioneer in counterintelligence and cyber deception products for detecting targeted attacks. The startup already has a long-standing professional relationship with Telefónica, has recently signed a major agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and NATO, and is part of the Telefónica Tech Ventures portfolio.
  2. Ludus: Originally from Bilbao, this platform pivoted from video game development to its successful business model: industry and emergency training through virtual reality. It offers professionals the opportunity to regularly practice action protocols in high-risk situations. This is also a reinvestment.
  3. Kymatio: is a SaaS (Software as a Service) that identifies, analyzes, and provides everything necessary to manage employee cyber risks. Developed in Madrid, its solution has become more relevant than ever for protecting employees in the context of remote work. Kymatio is also part of the Telefónica Tech Ventures portfolio.
  4. Proppos: this Catalan startup develops a smart and autonomous self-checkout system for cafeterias, cafes, and fast-food restaurants. Proppos recognizes products with AI and accelerates the shopping experience.
  5. Humanox: is the creator of the world's first connected and smart shin guards, capable of processing more than 50,000 data points per training session or match, offering players more than 40 metrics aimed at improving their athletic performance and health. Its headquarters are located in Cádiz.
  6. Pridatect: has the mission of simplifying privacy compliance for businesses through its platform and GDPR and data protection software. Pridatect is part of the Telefónica Tech Ventures portfolio.
  7. Galgus: the startup focuses on facilitating faster WiFi connections. Its Cognitive Hotspot Technology (CHT) optimizes the efficiency of WiFi access points and routers, increasing WiFi performance by up to 5 times. It plays a fundamental role in boosting connectivity in remote or sparsely populated areas. Kenmei: This Valencian company is dedicated to providing autonomous solutions for mobile network operators. It has developed a network intelligence solution that provides automation in the classification, segmentation, and resolution of network problems at different operational levels. Alias ​​Robotics: Originally from Vitoria-Gasteiz, this startup's mission is to guarantee the safety of robots. Among its products are the RIS (Robot Immune System), which protects robots from malware, and Alurity, which simplifies cybersecurity searches. Alias ​​Robotics is part of the Telefónica Tech Ventures portfolio.
  8. Payflow: Founded in Barcelona during the height of the Covid-19 crisis, this startup allows employees to receive payment for the portion of their salary they have already worked at a time of their choosing, instead of receiving the full amount at the end of the month.
  9. YBVR: Based in Silicon Valley and present in four countries, this startup, in which Wayra is investing again, specializes in immersive virtual reality experiences. It monetizes virtual tickets for events such as sporting events, allowing fans to be transported to the game and experience it from the front row.
  Wayra XWayra X, Wayra's first 100% digital hub designed to invest globally in 100% digital startups.  Since Wayra X, we have invested in the following projects:
  1. Peoople: This is an app for discovering recommendations from friends and favorite influencers on different topics such as books, restaurants, music, and all kinds of experiences. It is based in Madrid.
  2. Blabla: This is an online education platform that, through short videos, helps English students connect with content created by native speakers supported by AI and machine learning technology. Originally from Shanghai, in this case.
  3. Nannyfy: This Barcelona-based startup redirected its service with the arrival of Covid-19, going from being an offline marketplace for nannies or caregivers to launching Nannify TV and revolutionizing virtual learning and care for children under twelve.
  4. Suscrip: The app for sharing direct debit payments among several people (rent, internet, subscription to streaming platforms, etc.), linking to a bank account and simplifying debts with pre-authorized automatic payments.
  Wayra, in turn, reinforced its commitment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem by signing strategic agreements with key players in the startup world such as Lanzadera, The Venture City, Startup Valencia, and Seedrocket and BStartup, promoters of the Venture on the Road initiative, a unique roadshow designed to provide access to investors and networking opportunities in different cities across Spain.“Part of the economic recovery of our societies in 2021 depends on the reinvention and massive digitization of sectors that are key to people's daily lives. Entrepreneurs capable of solving the daily problems of millions of people have a lot to say this year and a world of opportunities to grow on a global scale,” explains Andrés Saborido, Global Head of Wayra. “At Wayra, we look to 2021 with optimism and are more committed than ever to startups.”