Oriol Sans i Ballart is a seasoned professional specializing in the Catalonia-Barcelona startup ecosystem, currently serving as Senior Startups Manager at ACCIÓ since 2008, with a focus on deeptech and life sciences. Throughout a diverse career, Oriol has held various prominent positions, including Director of the Funding Unit at ACCIÓ, where responsibilities included fostering early-stage innovative firms and SMEs. Additionally, Oriol is an Angel Investor at Interstellar Lab, a Professor at ELISAVA and Universitat Rovira i Virgili, and served as an EIC Expert Evaluator for the European Innovation Council. With extensive experience in investment committee roles and board memberships across multiple venture capital initiatives, Oriol has contributed significantly to financing innovative startups in Catalonia and broader Europe. Academic credentials include an MBA from Esade and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.