Alfons Carnicero Carmona (Barcelona, 1992)

CEO and co-founder of ABLE Human Motion, a startup that develops robotic exoskeletons to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. After starting his career at the Institut Guttmann – Hospital de Neuroregeneration and at the German joint prosthesis manufacturer Implantcast, Alfons has participated in several acceleration programmes and courses at business schools such as Cambridge Judge and EADA.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

AC: Making mobility easier for everyone. We create the world’s lightest and most accessible robotic exoskeleton technology to help people with disabilities regain lost mobility and independence.

TB: A good idea you have had.

AC: Using technological advances to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.

TB: A bad professional experience.

AC: Working alongside a person who does not share the values and culture of the team.

TB: The best advice you’ve ever been given.

AC: I could say several: get out of the office, and test your solution with customers and users as soon as possible; ask the right questions; learn fast, improve your product and test again; or, the market is always right, don’t be afraid to pivot!

TB: An inspiration.

AC: A young girl who, after suffering a spinal cord injury caused by an accident, always comes to try out the exoskeleton with a smile on her face. She is an example of overcoming adversity, of how to move forward despite adversity and enjoy life with optimism.

TB: What are you worried about?

AC: The war in Ukraine.

TB: A startup (other than your own).

AC: Aortix, a start-up company developing medical devices for vascular repair.

TB: A book to recommend.

AC: “The Great CEO Within”, by Matt Mochary.

TB: A series or film or song that defines your moment in life.

AC: The Last Dance” documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. After five years of not playing basketball, my lifelong friends and I have put together a team of ‘retirees’, to get back on the ball and do ‘one last dance’, despite being very out of shape. Maybe an exoskeleton could help?

TB: A recipe, a meal, a restaurant.

AC: The restaurant “Cal Magí”, in the little village of Cabó, in the province of Lleida.

TB: A city, a journey.

AC: Round Iceland in a caravan.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

AC: In start-ups that generate a positive impact on the environment and society.

TB: And a million euros?

AC: In start-ups that help groups at risk of social exclusion, such as the elderly, the disabled or those with economic difficulties.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

AC: I would have too much time on my hands!

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

AC: An ecosystem of innovation and technology that projects Barcelona to the world.

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