- Delegate of Economy of the Regional Government of Andalucía presents the NFTB certifications at BIC Euronova, the European Business and Innovation Centre in Málaga
The Málaga-based company AGPhotonics and the Huelva-based company HFF Protein have been awarded the NTBF Certification (New Technology Based Firm), a recognition endorsed by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism as well as ENISA (the Spanish National Innovation Company). The certification is granted by the National Association of Spanish BICs (ANCES), headquartered at BIC Euronova in Málaga TechPark.
The award ceremony took place this morning at BIC Euronova, the European Business and Innovation Centre in Málaga. It was led by the Territorial Delegate for Economy, Finance, European Funds, and Industrial and Energy Policy of the Regional Government of Andalucia in Málaga, Antonio García Acedo, who also is the president of BIC Euronova. He was joined by General Director of the centre and President of ANCES, Álvaro Simón de Blas.
The NTBF Certification, which has nationally recognized AGPhotonics and HFF Protein as New Technology Based Firms, “is a distinction that acknowledges companies with high technological capacity, extraordinarily innovative products, strong growth potential, and business models rooted in scientific and technological innovation, with R&D investment above average,” explained Delegate Antonio García. He also emphasized the excellence of both companies and their applied technologies: AGPhotonics with its design of devices and systems based on integrated photonics, and the biotech company HFF Protein with its patented process for producing high-value-added hydrolyzed protein for animal feed and organic farming.
Director of BIC Euronova and President of ANCES, Álvaro Simón de Blas, highlighted the high technological qualification and positive impact of both companies. He emphasized the value of the NTBF Certification as a distinction that brings prestige and contributes to enhancing the national and international positioning of the companies.
AGPHOTONICS
Founded in May 2023, AGPHOTONICS, S.L. is a start-up recognized as a Technology-Based Company (TBF) by the University of Málaga (UMA). It was established by a team of researchers from the Photonics & RF Research Lab, led by Professor Íñigo Molina Fernández. The company possesses extensive expertise in designing devices and systems based on integrated photonics, a field of knowledge focused on the use of light (photons) and characterized by the miniaturization and integration of optical components and systems into microchips, akin to integrated circuits in microelectronics. This approach offers significant advantages over discrete optical solutions in terms of size, weight, and energy efficiency, commonly referred to as SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power efficiency).
The founding team has experience in a wide range of integrated photonics applications, including fiber and free-space optical communications, remote sensing, photonic biosensing, photonic computing, and quantum applications.
AGPhotonics’ mission is to enable access to Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) systems through the complete integration of transceiver systems into miniaturized chips. These transceivers, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver, are designed to send and receive information using optical carriers. Additionally, the company’s technology will allow both the transmitter and receiver to be composed of an array of integrated optical antennas, enabling dynamic electronic beam steering without the need for any mechanical systems.
To achieve this, the company’s main goal is the development and commercialization of fully integrated optical transceivers through a Business-to-Business (B2B) model. Potential clients for this technology include OEMs for operators and system integrators in the Defense sector. AGPhotonics holds three patent families licensed by the University of Málaga and is on track to file up to three new patents this year related to integrated photonics technologies for OWC communication transceivers.
For more information, visit AGPhotonics’ website.
HFF PROTEIN
HFF Protein is a biotechnology company specialized in the valorization of animal by-products. They use their own patented process to produce high-value-added hydrolyzed protein for animal feed and organic farming.
Thanks to their technology and innovation, they offer hydrolyzed proteins with superior characteristics compared to conventional meals, including higher solubility, low molecular weight, and the absence of chemical additives. These properties ensure rapid absorption, high digestibility, and enhanced food safety by eliminating risks such as the transmission of pathogenic prions. Furthermore, their product provides probiotic benefits, promoting animal intestinal health and improving the quality of agricultural crops.
Their commitment to sustainability is reflected at every stage of their operations. They promote a circular economy by repurposing fresh, local by-products, reducing carbon footprint, and minimizing waste generation. In the agricultural sector, their hydrolyzed proteins act as eco-friendly biostimulants, optimizing crop production, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, and helping farmers adapt to climate change through more resilient practices. In animal feed, their product promotes local food sovereignty by providing a sustainable, competitive, and accessible protein source that meets the growing demand for nutritious and responsible pet food.
For more information, visit HFF Protein’s website.
36 Málaga based firms with the NTBF Certification
A total of 36 companies from Málaga have been recognized with the NTBF Certification in the province of Málaga, through BIC Euronova: Entersoftweb, Ihman, Naoset Sistemas, Netblue Ingenieros, Enercome, Arpa Solutions, Centro Mediterráneo de Fotobiología, Nerea, Aquaculture Solution Biotech, Probio, Ingelabs, Brain Dynamics, Stockholm Precision Tools, Pesyr I+D, Agrolaboratorios Nutricionales, Torsa Clock y Melomics, DHV Technology, Eneso, Métrica6, Aganova, Next Generation Rail Technologies, Tupl, Aeorum, Byevolution y I+Db Accoustic, eMarset, WeVoice, Predictiva, Vectorpipe, Onversed, Activacar, Ynsat, Gecor, Visitas Virtuales and AG Photonics. HFF Protein from Huelva also joins this list. Of the 36 companies recognized in Málaga, 9 are SPIN-OFF awards from the University of Málaga, highlighting a strong connection between the University and the creation of businesses in Málaga. Additionally, 14 of these companies have been incubated at the European Business and Innovation Centre of Málaga, BIC Euronova.
NTBF (New Technology Based Firm)
The NTBF Certification, led by ANCES (Spanish National Association of BICs in Spain) and supported by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, was launched in 2001 to assist in the creation and consolidation of New Technology Based Firms in Spain. This certification has had BIC Euronova, the European Business and Innovation Centre of Málaga, as a local hub since its inception. BIC Euronova has been working with the goal of stimulating the technological framework of the province, fostering employment through the creation of companies that generate added value, strengthening the mechanisms that bridge research and business innovation, and systematizing a working methodology for all CEEIs. Since 2018, APTE (Association of Science and Technology Parks of Spain) has also collaborated in promoting the certification among companies established in Spanish Technology Parks.
BIC Euronova, home of the National Association of Spanish Business Innovation Centres (ANCES) since 2009, has continuously supported Málaga’s innovative companies in obtaining the EIBT certification, acting as a local partner for the project.