Applied Science for a Green Future: The New Wave of Cleantech Innovation

At a pivotal moment for sustainability and technological sovereignty in Europe, the Tech Transfer area of Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) is emerging as a benchmark in promoting a technology transfer model aimed at creating deep-tech startups that contribute to a digital future and address the challenges of industry and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its mission is clear: to guide technologies from the laboratory to the market through collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurial talent, industry, and investors.

Since its creation, MWCapital’s technology transfer area, through its venture building programme The Collider, has supported over 200 scientific projects and created 22 deep-tech spin-offs, generating impact not only in Catalonia and Spain but also across the European ecosystem. The programme is an active part of strategic initiatives such as the Technology to Market (T2M) of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and boasts a very high satisfaction rate among its participants.

Cleantech made in Barcelona: Jolt, UniSCool and YPLASMA

At 4YFN, three startups from our portfolio — Jolt Solutions, UniSCool, and YPLASMA — took part in the panel “Paving the Way to a Sustainable Future”, where they shared their journeys and reflections on sustainability, scalability, and cleantech investment. These companies represent different technological approaches towards a shared mission: contributing to a more efficient and sustainable world through applied science.

Jolt Solutions has developed an innovative process for manufacturing highly durable electrodes for the green hydrogen and fuel cell sector. Their technology replaces traditional methods, which are costly and resource-intensive, with a scalable, efficient, and more environmentally friendly alternative. Leon Rizzi, CEO of Jolt, highlights that global demand for green hydrogen continues to grow, particularly in regions such as Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Their technology offers a sustainable, scalable solution that can genuinely contribute to the decarbonisation of industry.

UniSCool proposes a direct-to-chip (DTC) liquid cooling system based on a proprietary heat sink design that significantly enhances energy efficiency. This innovation enables UniSCool to reduce cooling-related consumption by up to 70%, positioning it as a strategic solution amid the growth of the artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC) markets. In a context of increasing energy demand from data centres, electric vehicles, and AI applications, this technology provides clear advantages, as noted by Montse Vilarrubí, COO of UniSCool.

YPLASMA, meanwhile, has developed a technology based on eco-friendly plasma actuators that allow for the control of temperature and airflow over surfaces. Applications range from aeronautics to solar efficiency, electronic device cooling, and agricultural sanitation. This versatility positions YPLASMA as an emerging player within the European cleantech ecosystem, as explained by José Antonio González, COO of the startup.

Challenges and Opportunities in Deep-Tech Commercialisation

The three startups agree on the main challenges facing the deep-tech ecosystem: the difficulty of accessing early-stage funding; the urgent need to strengthen links between scientific research and business sectors; and the decisive influence of regulation on technological development. Overcoming these barriers is key to accelerating the arrival of innovative solutions to the market.

Despite these challenges, the cleantech sector is showing clear positive momentum. In 2024, global investment in clean energy reached $12.5 billion, once again surpassing investment in fossil fuels, according to the International Energy Agency. This upward trend is also reflected in the forecast for the global green technology market, which is expected to grow from $23.6 billion in 2024 to over $77 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 26.7%, and potentially surpass $105 billion by 2032 (Green Technology Global Market Report and Green Technology and Sustainability Market Report). Areas such as clean energy, sustainable transport, and industrial efficiency — all reflected in the models of Jolt, UniSCool and YPLASMA — attract a significant share of this investment potential.

At a national level, Spain stands out for its strategic positioning. It is the second country in the world with the greatest potential for hydrogen investment and leads in onshore wind energy capacity in Europe, with over 30,000 MW producing around 24% of the country’s electricity. Across Europe, the energy transition is being driven by policies promoting industrial efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable technology development, creating an increasingly favourable environment for scientific and business innovation.

Deep-Tech and Cleantech as Future Strategies

In this context, cleantech startups are emerging as key players in building a new economic and environmental model. Sectors such as energy, mobility, cooling, and industrial efficiency find in scientific innovation a way to reduce emissions, optimise resource use, and consolidate sustainable competitive advantages.

At Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s Tech Transfer area, we fully align with this approach: connecting science with the market and promoting the creation of scalable solutions to global challenges. Cases such as Jolt Solutions, UniSCool, and YPLASMA illustrate the transformative potential of this model, demonstrating how deep-tech entrepreneurship can act as a real driver for the green transition.