Technological improvements in last-mile logistics contribute to the sustainability of the system, as they optimise delivery efficiency and reduce environmental impact. And Albert Bladas (Sant Cugat del Vallès, 1990) leads one of these solutions as co-founder and CEO of Columat, a startup that implements smart lockers with and without temperature control. With a degree in Physical Geography and Climate Change and a Master’s degree in Project Management, Albert Bladas has extensive experience as a consultant and entrepreneur in different sectors. Always, of course, linked to sustainability.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

AB: Columat was created to solve last mile logistics, thereby reducing environmental impact, making cities more sustainable and resilient and improving people’s quality of life.

TB: A good idea you have had.

AB: There are ideas every day! Some more disruptive than others, with more or less future. Even others that can be implemented the same day. Creating Columat was a great idea, for example. Yes, you can have ideas, but if you don’t believe in them and don’t pursue them, you may not impact society in the desired way.

TB: A bad professional experience.

AB: Bad experiences are the best way to learn quickly. In my case, when I was younger, I wanted to innovate and change internal processes in a company where I worked. And time and time again, the stoppers, or more conservative people, told me that these were absurd ideas. Of course, this frustrates you because it doesn’t let you move forward or improve.

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

AB: Here are two constant and important pieces of advice that I have received since I was a child. My grandfather used to tell me: “with effort and perseverance you have no limits”. And my father: “always listen before you speak”. Obvious advice, but not easy to apply.

TB: A professional reference that inspires you.

AB: Elon Musk or any other successful entrepreneur who provides solutions to problems facing society or the environment.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

AB: Artificial intelligence will change the way we work and think. It will certainly help us a lot in our daily lives, but we should also be aware of its risks and therefore different aspects should be regulated. Alongside AI, aerospace technology will also help other ground-based technologies to grow.

TB: What are you worried about?

AB: I am concerned about the different frictions between public and private actors in combating climate change in an aligned way.

TB: A startup.

AB: One of the startups that I love is Newe – they’re a bunch of cracks! They’re empowering the circular economy for retailers and helping to mitigate waste in the consumer sector. We will hear a lot about them.

TB: A book to recommend.

AB: “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel. It is a must read for every entrepreneur.

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

AB: “The Playlist”, a TV miniseries that tells the disruptive story of Spotify.

TB: A recipe, a meal, a restaurant.

AB: Vicio’s hamburgers.

TB: A city, a journey.

AB: Barcelona is a city full of opportunities and with a perfect entrepreneurial environment.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

AB: Certainly in Columat.

TB: And a million euros?

AB: Also at Columat. The more we can revolutionise logistics and the user experience, the more we stand to gain; both society and the environment.

TB: If you were not an entrepreneur…

AB: Difficult question… I would work in a company that solves societal problems, always with urban sustainability in mind.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

AB: Tech Barcelona is one of the first innovation centres in Barcelona that has managed to form a great ecosystem with Barcelona and international entrepreneurs. Thanks to the association, many projects have flourished in the city and great synergies of collaboration between people, startups and corporations have been obtained.