CriteriaCaixa, the Barcelona-based holding company responsible for managing the business assets of the ‘la Caixa’ Banking Foundation, has announced that its venture capital subsidiary will now operate under the name Criteria Capital Risc, replacing its long-standing Caixa Capital Risc identity.
The rebranding reflects the firm’s closer alignment with its parent company while reinforcing its commitment to supporting innovative startups through long-term investment and active portfolio management.
Rebranding Marks a New Phase of Growth
Established in 2002 within ‘la Caixa’, the venture capital firm became a wholly owned subsidiary of CriteriaCaixa in 2013.
Under its new identity, Criteria Capital Risc will continue to take an active role in the companies it backs by serving on portfolio company boards, providing strategic guidance, and helping businesses generate sustainable long-term value.
The company said its approach extends beyond financial investment by combining industry expertise, strategic support, and access to an extensive network of leading venture capital and private equity firms in Spain and abroad.
€300 Million Investment Plan Targets High-Growth Innovation
Criteria Capital Risc plans to invest €300 million (approximately $343 million) in early-stage businesses through its two specialized investment vehicles: Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech.
The investment strategy is centered on supporting transformative technologies and scientific breakthroughs capable of delivering meaningful social impact while creating lasting value for investors.
The firm intends to focus on startups developing breakthrough healthcare solutions and next-generation technologies with strong long-term growth potential.
Criteria Bio Ventures Focuses on Healthcare and Biotechnology
Criteria Bio Ventures serves as the firm’s dedicated biotechnology and healthcare investment fund, identifying and financing companies working on innovative medical treatments and therapies.
Its investment portfolio includes several biotechnology businesses developing treatments for complex diseases.
Among its earliest investments were Minoryx Therapeutics, which focuses on therapies for rare disorders such as adrenoleukodystrophy and Rett syndrome, and Adaptam Therapeutics, a company specializing in immuno-oncology.
The fund has also invested in Aboleris Pharma, which develops treatments for autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, NRG Therapeutics, focused on therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Parkinson’s disease, Tolerance Bio, which is developing therapies aimed at reversing immune system aging, and Cytospire, another company working in the immuno-oncology field.
Technology Fund Backs AI, Cybersecurity and Deeptech Startups
Alongside its healthcare investments, Criteria Capital Risc operates Criteria Venture Tech, a fund dedicated to technology startups with an emphasis on deeptech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software, and data infrastructure.
The fund invests from the earliest stages—including pre-seed and seed financing—and is designed to take lead or co-lead investment positions where appropriate.
It also reserves the capacity to continue supporting successful portfolio companies as they progress into later growth stages.
Current investments include Ipronics, which develops programmable photonic chips for AI applications; Immfly, a provider of onboard retail and entertainment technology for airlines; KD, a company focused on advanced optical connectivity chips; and Barbara, an industrial software platform serving the Internet of Things (IoT) market.
Investment Strategy Extends Beyond the Iberian Peninsula
While Spain and Portugal will remain the firm’s principal investment markets, Criteria Capital Risc also plans to pursue selected opportunities across Europe and North America.
The regional expansion strategy is intended to give the firm access to a broader pipeline of innovative startups while maintaining its emphasis on supporting companies capable of delivering technological advancement and long-term societal impact.
Outlook
With its new brand identity and a €300 million investment commitment, Criteria Capital Risc is positioning itself for a larger role in Europe’s venture capital ecosystem.
By combining active ownership, strategic guidance, and targeted investments across healthcare and advanced technology, the firm aims to accelerate the growth of promising startups while strengthening its presence in both regional and international innovation markets.
Summary
CriteriaCaixa has rebranded its venture capital subsidiary from Caixa Capital Risc to Criteria Capital Risc as part of a strategy to strengthen its identity and expand its investment activities.
Through Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech, the firm plans to invest €300 million in early-stage biotechnology and technology companies, primarily in Spain and Portugal while selectively pursuing opportunities across Europe and North America.
The company will continue providing active strategic support to its portfolio with a focus on long-term value creation and innovation.
