Launching a Business in Spain: University of California Trust & IE University SciTech Alumni Entrepreneur' s Panel

Join us for a conversation with four University of California Trust and IE University SciTech Alumni entrepreneurs who have successfully launched businesses in Spain. This hybrid event will offer insights into starting a business, from the first idea to overcoming obstacles, navigating Spanish regulations, and sustaining a successful business.

The panel will be moderated by Dr. Ikhlaq Sidhu, who is the Dean of the School of Science and Technology at IE University and founding director of UC Berkeley's Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology since 2005. 

Whether you're just beginning to explore entrepreneurship, developing a business idea or preparing to launch a start-up, this discussion will provide valuable insights on the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, business development and honest advice from those who’ve done it.

Schedule of the event:

• 18:30 - Drinks Reception
• 19:00 - Panel begins
• 20:00 - Networking cocktail

Speakers: University of California Trust Alumni:
 

Anthony Awadallah (UC Santa Cruz, Kennedy Languages)

Anthony is from California, received his degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and has international experience including Accountancy at the University of California Santa Cruz, Risk Management at Barclays head office in London, England and in Marketing for a leading entertainment franchise in Dublin, Ireland.

He moved to Madrid in 1996 and began working as an English teacher for various language academies and leading national and international businesses. He detected a gap in the market with respect to the quality and focus of the language services provided and founded Kennedy Languages in 2001, which provides integral result’s-based solutions for executives and corporate clients leveraging technology and a commitment to excellence.

Eric Freeman (UCLA Anderson, Alpha Unmanned Systems)

Eric is the Co-founder and CEO of Alpha Unmanned Systems, one of Europe’s leading developers of small tactical helicopter UAVs. Originally an entrepreneur in the United States, Eric has lived in Spain for more than 20 years and has spent the past 12 years building Alpha into a globally recognized provider of unmanned helicopter drones for defence, security, and industrial missions.

Eric is a vocal advocate for defence innovation and the critical role of SME's in modernizing Europe’s defence and dual-use sectors. He is committed to shaping smarter policy, unlocking investment, and building bridges between tech innovators and defence customers to accelerate meaningful adoption of advanced unmanned systems.

Eric frequently speaks on the challenges faced by SME's in Spain, UAV innovation and defence procurement.

Angel Lopes Samartino (Berkeley Haas, Ozone Drive)

Angel is the CEO and Co-founder of Ozone Drive - a hi-tech zero-emissions mobility company, with a fresh, daring and environmentally committed mission. The concept was originally conceived at the University of California, Berkeley in 2011 with the goal to spread the use of sustainable transport and therefore accelerate the adoption of zero emissions in mobility. Their initiative is focused on the implementation of electric vehicle fleets for Hospitality, Corporations and Properties. Ozone Drive is an app designed to put the user at the wheel of the last generation of electric vehicles, bringing closer the most powerful, innovative and genuine driving experience.

Speakers: IE University Alumni:

Uliana Torkunova

Uliana is a Spanish entrepreneur of Ukrainian origin. She leads several technology projects focused on mobility and connected cars through her companies LetMePark and LetMeCharge.

After completing a Master's degree in International Finance and an MBA, Uliana left her career at one of the largest international banks to become a technology entrepreneur in Spain. After years of hard work, her company secured contracts with car manufacturers and major corporations, earning recognition as the "Best Technological Solution to Improve Mobility" in 2023 at the eMobility Expo & World Congress. In recent years, Uliana has also been recognized as Spain's Founder of the Year by the Global Startup Award in 2021, and as "Woman Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Madrid City Council and later by ASEME (Spanish Association of Business Entrepreneurs).

In 2022, Uliana was included in the Top 100 Women Leaders of Spain list. She is also an international speaker, a startup mentor, the author of the "Entrepreneurial Mindset" course, and a collaborator with several Spanish and international universities.

Mar Pujadas

Mar Pujadas is the founder and CEO of Omniloy, a company backed by the Lãberit group, specializing in transforming the healthcare sector through generative artificial intelligence.

Under her leadership, Omniloy develops hospital assistants that support physicians during consultations: quickly locating patients, automating clinical reports, and managing diagnostic test requests, as well as assistants that optimize triage and complex medical appointment scheduling.

Before Omniloy, Mar worked as a strategic consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and at the blockchain startup Crossmint in New York. She is an active speaker at national and international events on emerging technologies. Her focus on the intersection of technology and healthcare reflects her strong commitment to improving operational efficiency and the quality of healthcare.