Introduction
HIGHGROWTH INNOVATION is an independent, multisectorial venture-capital fund, aimed at small-to-medium enterprises located in spain and the rest if the EU and seeking finance for innovative projects, wherter in the production, commercial or organisational areas.
Investment is usually made over the short-term (3 to 6 years) and generally represents less than 50% of the share capital of the company in which the investment is made.
The fund contains some 25 million euros. Investment per project is between 0.5 and 3 million euros. Both newly created companies and consolidated compaanies may benefit, provided that the project is innovative ans designed to improve competitivity and promote growth.
Investment Criteria
HIGHGROWTH INNOVATION is a fund at SMEs outside the financial or property sectors with an annual turnover of between 0.1 and 50 million euros.
The fund invests in INNOVATIVE projects from any business sector, be they in the commercial, organisational, productive or research area.
However, it particularly focuses on the most innovative sectors, such as telecommunications, software, biotechnology, the environment, etc.
The geographical scope of the fund is not merely limited to Spain but extends to the entire European Union.
Investment decisions must all be approved by an independent Investment Comittee composed of widely acknowledged business experts.
Co-investment agreements
With a view to optimising our investment activities in the south of France we have entered into a cooperation with ICSO-Gestion, part of IRDI, a reputable venture capitaal company based in Toulouse
Mario Ezquerra
Having a PDG by IESE, Mario Ezquerra currently acts as business adviser and consultant to several companies. With 25 years experience in the financial sector, he has held posts in a range of institutions, including as Adviser to the Banca Catalana (until 2000), Assistant Regional Director for Catalonia-Balearic Islands for Banco BBV (1987-1993), Regional Business Director for Catalonia-Balearic Islands (1978-1986) and Vallès Area Director (1974-1978) for Banco de Vizcaya. Prior to this (from 1968) he was a territorial controller.
He has in-depth knowledge of the Catalan business sector and SMEs.
Andoni Olabarri
With over twenty years experience in the financial sector, Andoni Olabarri combines in-depth technical knowledge (acquired as Director of Studies in the Caja de Ahorros Vizcaya and as Head Economist in Argentaria), with vast experience in the management area. Former high-ranking financial posts include General Sub-Director for the International Division of Argentaria and Managing Director for the Belgian Gesbanque. He holds a degree in Economic Science from Universidad de Deusto (Bilbao) and a master’s degree in Economics from Universiteit Leuven (Belgium).
Enric Santamaria
Holder of an Industrial Engineering degree (majoring in Industrial Organisation) from the Universidad Politécnica de Barcelona, and MBA-GET degree from the same university in association with MIT (Massachusets Institute of Technology), Enric Santamaria is currently Senior Vice-Chairman (automotive and consumption) of the ABN AMRO Bank, NV. He previously occupied other posts in the financial sector, among them Business Account Director in the Caixa de Pensions de Barcelona (1998- 2000), Regional and Executive Director of Accounts and Head of Multinationals in Citibank NA. (1981-1998), as well as positions in the former Banco Vizcaya. Industrial experience includes posts in Armstrong Cork Co. and Algodonera San José, S.A.
Enric Santamaría is also a former lecturer and head of the Management Sciences department at the Universidad Politécnica de Barcelona (1978-1983). Since 1989, he has been a lecturer in International Finance at the Universidad Ramon Llull.
Josep Lluis Oller
Josep Lluís Oller is a Doctor of Economics and has followed a professional career in both the private and public sectors. He has held a number of posts in the public sector, as General Director of Economics of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Autonomous government) and as Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Spain and to the Ministry of Economics on several occasions. In the private sector, he has held appointments ranging from General Director of the Spanish Financial Futures Exchange, and previously as Managing Director of various companies responsible for managing investment and pension funds. In addition, he has been Economics Adviser to the Ministry of Public Works (Fomento) and the CEOE. He has been a teacher in the University of Barcelona and IESE. He has published many articles in the economic press. Moreover, he has held a variety of other appointments, including membership of the board in ENDESA, of which he is presently the client ombudsman, and board membership in several financial entities, such as ICF Holding, Bancsabadell Pensiones and Bancsabadell Vida. He is member of the Academic Councils of the International University of Catalonia and of the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies in the Pompeu Fabra University, and patron of the foundation administered by the Círculo de Economía.