Oriol Iborra (Barcelona, 1991) studied Molecular Biology, a master’s degree in Genetics and Genomics at the UB and a PhD in Medicine specializing in cardiovascular diseases at the IGTP, a group led by Professor Antoni Bayés-Genís in collaboration with the CMRB and Stanford University. This was followed by a postdoc at Harvard Medical School and, in addition, training in technology transfer and entrepreneurship at La Salle Business School and the UPF School of Management. Because research has an impact when it reaches patients. And the creation of a company is the best way to do so.

Now as CEO and co-founder of NIMBLE Diagnostics, Oriol attacks one of the leading causes of death in the world: cardiovascular accidents. His startup is dedicated to the non-invasive monitoring and control of stents, devices used to restore proper blood flow.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

OI: To revolutionize cardiac care. With NIMBLE Diagnostics we want to make stent monitoring as simple as reading a barcode: noninvasive, accurate and accessible.

TB: Where are you at and where do you see it in two years?

OI: We are in the midst of clinical validation in humans and have raised 5.5 million euros. In two years, I see our devices going through the certification process to put them in leading hospitals in Europe and the United States. Changing lives.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

OI: Convincing people smarter than me to join the team. Now we work together and, no matter what, they make me look good. A CEO is only as good as his team!

TB: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

OI: Transferring technology from the university to a company. It requires navigating bureaucracies, assembling diverse teams, and transforming science into business.

TB: Best advice you’ve been given.

OI: “Don’t fall in love with your technology; fall in love with the problem it solves.” This advice has allowed me to always prioritize the patient and their needs.

TB: A role model.

OI: Professor Antoni Bayés Genís, my doctoral thesis director, has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration. His passion for cardiology and translational research (translation of research results into outcomes that benefit society), combined with a tireless dedication to the advancement of medicine, has taught me the value of excellence and innovation. His leadership at the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital and at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, as well as his commitment to the training of new professionals, have left a profound mark on my professional development. His example motivates me to pursue excellence and to contribute to the progress of medicine with the same passion and dedication he shows every day.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

OI: A technology that will shape the future is quantum computing. Although it is still in development, its potential for solving complex problems is immense. In medicine, it could revolutionize drug design by simulating molecular interactions with unprecedented precision. Beyond healthcare, it will impact fields such as cryptography, logistics optimization and artificial intelligence, enabling advances that today seem like science fiction. Its ability to process information at exponential speeds will transform entire industries, opening doors to innovations we cannot yet imagine.

TB: Face-to-face or remote?

OI: A well-balanced hybrid. Face-to-face interaction fosters creativity, but remote work improves productivity and quality of life, increasingly important in a globalized employee force.

TB: A startup or company.

OI: Boston Dynamics, a startup that is revolutionizing robotics with machines capable of moving, adapting and performing complex tasks in diverse environments. Its technology has the potential to transform entire industries, from logistics and construction to healthcare and emergency rescue. It’s a demonstration of how advanced robotics can redefine what we think is possible in work and everyday life.

TB: What makes you unplug?

OI: I play chess, a passion passed down to me from my grandfather, who was a Grandmaster. Every game with him was full of teachings and good times, and now it’s my way of relaxing and remembering him.

TB: A book to recommend.

OI: “The Innovation Stack” by Jim McKelvey. It’s an inspiring book about how to solve problems in innovative ways, even when there is no clear path. Perfect for entrepreneurs.

TB: A series, movie or song that defines your life moment.

OI: “Moneyball”, a story that demonstrates how innovation and data can challenge established rules and transform an entire industry, something that resonates very much with what we do at NIMBLE.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

OI: In winter, I especially enjoy “Carlota Akaneya,” a Japanese restaurant in Barcelona that offers a unique sumibiyaki experience, a traditional Japanese barbecue. The quality of its ingredients and the cozy atmosphere make it an ideal place for cold nights.

TB: A place in the world.

OI: Selfoss, Iceland. It’s like being on another planet: waterfalls, geysers, and pristine nature. Iceland is a place that has appealed to me my whole life.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

OI: In social impact startups or disruptive medical technologies, where every euro can transform lives.

TB:If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

OI: I would still be a researcher. My passion has always been in improving people’s health and quality of life.

TB: What does Tech Barcelona mean to you?

OI: It’s the meeting point for innovation and talent in Barcelona, a catalyst for projects that really change the world.