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Key people at InnoCells.
InnoCells operates as Banco Sabadell's digital innovation hub and corporate venture arm, developing new digital ventures. It builds advanced technological solutions and integrates cutting-edge fintech capabilities to enhance the bank's services. This involves incubating internal projects and strategically acquiring external startups, bolstering the bank's digital offerings.
Established by Banco Sabadell in 2017, InnoCells was founded on the insight that agile digital transformation and external innovation are vital for financial sector competitiveness. This initiative blends startup dynamism with the stability of a major bank, fostering rapid development and strategic investment from its Barcelona, Spain base.
InnoCells' developments directly benefit Banco Sabadell's clients, providing advanced digital banking tools and improved financial experiences. Its vision positions Banco Sabadell at the forefront of financial technology, continuously integrating innovations that redefine the future of banking.
# InnoCells: High-Level Overview
InnoCells is the corporate venture capital and innovation hub of Banco Sabadell, Spain's fifth-largest banking group.[4] Founded in 2017 in Barcelona, InnoCells operates as both an investment vehicle and business builder, combining the agility of the startup world with the institutional strength of a major financial institution.[2][5]
The firm's mission centers on identifying and nurturing digital technology startups that can transform the financial services sector.[1] InnoCells invests primarily in seed and Series A stage companies across fintech, digital health, and software, with a focus on ventures that blend design, strategy, and technology.[1][3] Rather than functioning as a traditional passive investor, InnoCells actively collaborates with startups and external partners to develop new digital business models, positioning itself as an operator-first venture builder that drives value through hands-on support and strategic guidance.[1][5]
# Origin Story
InnoCells emerged in 2017 as Banco Sabadell's answer to digital disruption in financial services.[2] The firm was conceived as a dedicated innovation engine—a place where the bank's deep expertise in banking and financial services could intersect with entrepreneurial energy and modern technology practices.[5] Rather than remaining siloed within the parent organization, InnoCells was designed as a hub that bridges two distinct business philosophies: the values and agility of the startup ecosystem and the operational rigor and market knowledge of an established banking institution.[5]
The fund manager brings substantial experience, having executed over 30 deals across Europe and North America with a focus on early to growth-stage companies in technology and healthcare.[1] This background has shaped InnoCells' data-driven, thematic investment approach and its emphasis on identifying high-potential sectors early.[1]
# Core Differentiators
# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
InnoCells operates at the intersection of two major trends reshaping financial services: digital transformation of banking and fintech innovation.[3] The firm captures the reality that traditional banks must innovate or risk disruption, positioning itself as a bridge between incumbent financial institutions and the startup ecosystem.
By investing in early-stage fintech and digital health ventures, InnoCells influences how financial services evolve—not as a disruptor, but as an institutional player actively shaping the future of digital finance from within the banking system.[1] This model has become increasingly common as large financial institutions recognize that venture capital and innovation labs are essential to remaining competitive against pure-play fintech challengers.
The timing of InnoCells' founding in 2017 proved strategic, coinciding with accelerating regulatory openness to fintech and growing consumer demand for digital-first financial services. The firm's focus on Spain and European markets also positions it to capture opportunities in a region with strong regulatory frameworks and emerging fintech ecosystems.[6]
# Quick Take & Future Outlook
InnoCells represents a maturing approach to corporate venture capital—one where large financial institutions actively participate in shaping their own disruption rather than passively watching from the sidelines. The firm's emphasis on business building and strategic returns suggests it will continue playing a dual role: incubating innovations that strengthen Banco Sabadell's competitive position while generating financial returns that justify the venture investment.
As digital banking becomes table stakes and AI/ML reshape financial services, InnoCells' thematic investing discipline and access to institutional resources position it well to identify and scale the next generation of fintech leaders. The key question ahead is whether the firm can maintain startup-like agility while leveraging its corporate parent's scale—a balance that will determine whether InnoCells becomes a model for institutional innovation or a cautionary tale about corporate venture constraints.
Key people at InnoCells.
InnoCells has 3 tracked investments across 2 companies. The latest tracked deal is $2.2M Seed in Mitto in September 2019.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 16, 2019 | Mitto | $2.2M Seed | — | Athos Capital |
| Feb 1, 2019 | Bud | $20.0M Series A | — | AV8 Ventures, OAK HC/FT, Outrun Ventures, Outward VC, Pinto Ventures, Mulenga Agley, Stanley Fink, 9Yards Capital, ANZ, Goldman Sachs, Raman Bhatia, Investec |
| Oct 27, 2017 | Bud | $2.0M Other Equity | Banco Sabadell, Innocapital, InnoCells, Investec | Force Over Mass |
