NanoGUNE’s Health Venture Selected Among Top 10 in the Health Category of the EIT Jumpstarter Program
A business initiative led by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Javier Plou, from the Nanoengineering Group, has been selected among the top 10 start-ups in the Health category of the prestigious EIT Jumpstarter program. The project, which focuses on developing novel spectroscopic technologies for monitoring advanced CAR-T therapies, was first prioritized by Basque Tek Ventures, validating its potential for real-world impact.
Over the past three months, Dr. Plou has been actively participating in the EIT Jumpstarter, one of Europe’s leading pre-acceleration programs for researchers and early-stage innovators. Out of 908 initial applicants across multiple sectors, the nanoGUNE-led initiative stood out in the Health category for its scientific excellence and market potential, earning a place in the next phase of the program.
The EIT Jumpstarter is a 7-month, EU-funded initiative designed to help innovators transform their research into viable businesses. Participants receive up to €12,000 in funding, intensive training in business fundamentals, and access to a Europe-wide network of mentors, investors, and industry leaders. The program culminates in a Grand Final in Budapest in November 2025, where selected candidates pitch their ventures to real investors.
"This achievement reflects nanoGUNE’s strong commitment to helping researchers translate their scientific knowledge into real-world solutions,” said Ainara Garcia-Gallastegui, Technology Transfer Director of CIC nanoGUNE. “We are excited to see how this initiative evolves and contributes to the future of personalized medicine."
The project’s focus on CAR-T therapy monitoring addresses a critical need in the rapidly growing field of immuno-oncology. By leveraging advanced spectroscopy, the team aims to provide clinicians with real-time, non-invasive tools to assess treatment efficacy and patient response—potentially improving outcomes and reducing costs.