CriteriaCaixa Announces €300 Million Investment to Boost Science and Technology Startups

CriteriaCaixa, the holding company based in Barcelona that oversees the business assets of ‘la Caixa’ Banking Foundation, has unveiled a revamped strategy for its startup investment division. The aim is to foster the growth of science and technology-driven emerging companies with high potential.

The company plans to inject €300 million ($343 million) into early-stage companies through its two funds, Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech. The focus will primarily be on Spain and Portugal, with selective investments in Europe and North America. Notably, Spain accounts for nearly 70% of the current portfolio’s value.

According to CriteriaCaixa, the funds will prioritize investments in transformative therapies and technologies that can positively impact society, emphasizing long-term value creation.

This substantial €300 million allocation comes amidst ongoing investments in sectors targeted by Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech.

EU-Startups’ 2026 analysis of selected BioTech, clinical-trial technology, cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, and semiconductor companies revealed approximately €321.5 million in disclosed financing. Spanish companies garnered about €198.3 million of this funding, including notable entities like Biorce, Gate2Brain, NeuralTrust, Zepo Intelligence, 8Layers, and Openchip.

CriteriaCaixa serves as the exclusive independent entity managing ‘la Caixa’ Foundation’s assets. The two entities, closely linked, operate as a group dedicated to societal impact through effective asset management.

In 2025, CriteriaCaixa’s gross asset value (GAV) stood at €45 billion, managed across four portfolios: founding stake (CaixaBank), significant investments (e.g., Naturgy, Telefónica, ACS, Veolia), alternative investments (including Criteria Capital Risc), and liquidity holdings.

As the Foundation’s investment arm, CriteriaCaixa aims to secure resources for its annual budget and grow its assets under management (AUM).

As part of its 2030 Strategic Plan, CriteriaCaixa has decided to rebrand its venture capital management company to align better with its current positioning.

Originally established in 2002 within ‘la Caixa,’ Caixa Capital Risc became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CriteriaCaixa in 2013. It will now operate under the name Criteria Capital Risc, emphasizing its role as CriteriaCaixa’s VC investment arm.

Through its specialized vehicles, Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech, Criteria Capital Risc actively engages with portfolio companies by serving on their boards.

Criteria Bio Ventures, focused on BioTech and health, seeks to identify, fund, and support companies developing innovative therapies to revolutionize disease management. The fund partners with entrepreneurs working on disruptive therapeutic solutions for unmet medical needs.

The fund’s portfolio includes Minoryx Therapeutics, Adaptam Therapeutics, Aboleris Pharma, NRG Therapeutics, Tolerance Bio, and Cytospire.

Criteria Venture Tech, specializing in technology, particularly DeepTech and key markets like AI, cybersecurity, and software infrastructure, invests in early-stage technology startups, including pre-Seed and Seed stages. It aims to take lead or co-lead positions and support high-performing companies in its portfolio, even as they advance in growth.

Current portfolio companies of Criteria Venture Tech include Ipronics, Immfly, KD, and Barbara.