At 10, 4YFN Expands as EIC Spotlights 15 Deep Tech Startups at MWC Barcelona 2024
- ›4YFN celebrates its 10th anniversary with a larger footprint at MWC Barcelona, expanding to two halls with seven stages and a program focused on six themes.
- ›The European Innovation Council will host an EIC Pavilion in Hall 8.1 featuring 15 EIC-funded companies selected under the ITF 3.0 programme.
- ›The EIC is also supporting 12 Tech to Market Venture Building projects at a dedicated 4YFN stand to help researchers move toward commercial ventures.
- ›Organisers and Pere Duran emphasise early commercialisation, cybersecurity, data privacy and sustainability as non negotiable considerations for startups.
- ›Exhibitors receive onboarding and pre departure briefings and are urged to use the MWC app, attend stage sessions and maximise networking opportunities to convert visibility into deals.
- ›Trade fair participation is presented as a gateway to international contacts and deals but measurable commercial outcomes depend on post event follow up and the maturity of the companies involved.
4YFN at 10 and the EIC at MWC Barcelona 2024
As MWC Barcelona approaches, 4YFN marks its tenth anniversary with a visibly larger presence inside the trade fair. Pere Duran, Director of 4YFN, outlined plans to broaden the event footprint and programming and highlighted the European Innovation Council Pavilion as a focal point for European deep tech startups. The event will take place at Fira Barcelona Gran Via from 26 to 29 February 2024.
What is changing for 4YFN's 10th anniversary
4YFN expands to occupy two halls, Halls 8.0 and 8.1, and will run four networking spaces and seven stages across four days. The programme includes keynotes, fireside chats, roundtables and pitching competitions. Names announced to appear include Sir Martin Sorrell, Nigel Toon and Pau Gasol. The curated agenda is structured around six thematic tracks and several targeted programmes aimed at accelerating startup growth and helping founders connect with investors and corporates.
4YFN also runs programmes dedicated to Digital Health, Green Tech, FinTech, impact driven innovation and a university and spin off track that seeks to showcase academic innovation. Organisers say the expanded footprint and programming aim to provide more staging and networking opportunities for founders and investors.
The EIC Pavilion and participating companies
The European Innovation Council (EIC) will host a pavilion within the 4YFN area. The EIC selected 15 EIC-funded companies to exhibit under the ITF 3.0 programme. These companies span telecoms, robotics, automation, blockchain, security, Internet of Things, 3D and optical technologies. The pavilion is intended to boost international visibility and commercial prospects for the selected startups.
| Company | Country | Sector focus |
| BILLON DIGITAL SERVICES | Poland | Blockchain and digital payments |
| Cardlab Innovation ApS | Denmark | Payments and card technology |
| CINFO CONTENIDOS INFORMATIVOS PERSONALIZADOS SL | Spain | Content personalisation |
| Codership | Finland | Distributed systems |
| COMPIRA LABS LTD | Israel | Robotics and automation |
| CyRaCo GmbH | Germany | Cybersecurity |
| DRONE HOPPER, S.L. | Spain | Aerospace and drones |
| EXCESS ENGINEERING AS | Norway | 3D and industrial technologies |
| IGNION SL | Spain | Optical and photonics products |
| ManoMotion AB | Sweden | Computer vision and gesture control |
| MYSPHERA SL | Spain | Digital health and analytics |
| NIL TECHNOLOGY APS | Denmark | Telecommunications |
| SELUXIT APS | Denmark | Internet of Things |
| SettleMint NV | Belgium | Blockchain enterprise software |
| VAULTREE LIMITED | Ireland | Security and data protection |
EIC support services and event preparation
Selected companies received onboarding calls and a pre departure briefing. The EIC provides tailored support such as market briefings, coaching on commercialisation and intellectual property, B2B matchmaking and follow up mechanisms. The stated aim is to help startups convert trade fair visibility into tangible commercial leads and partnerships.
EIC Tech to Market Venture Building projects at 4YFN
In parallel the EIC Tech to Market T2M Venture Building Programme will present 12 projects that aim to convert research results into investable ventures. The programme will host a fireside chat titled 'Turning Science into Profit' and a roundtable and networking session on 27 February to connect researchers and entrepreneurs with investors and market experts.
| Project | One line description | Objective |
| 3P-Tec | Three parent technology for crop breeding | Develop methods to produce three parent plants to accelerate climate resilient crop breeding |
| Asteasier | Engineered microalgae production platform | Produce astaxanthin and omega 3 for human and animal nutrition using engineered microalgae |
| CATCHER | Converting atmospheric humidity to electricity | Optimise and scale up power conversion from ambient humidity as a renewable energy source |
| ChipScope | Superresolution lighting on a chip | Use nanoLED arrays with pixel level control to achieve optical superresolution through illumination patterns |
| EndoSolve | Diagnostic for endometriosis | Mature a novel digital biomarker and validate a clinically acceptable diagnostic test |
| LUMINOUS | Measuring and altering consciousness | Study and develop electromagnetic measures and interventions for observable aspects of consciousness |
| Nanowings | Nanocoatings for wind turbines | Create anti icing and anti fouling nanocoatings to improve turbine efficiency and durability |
| PRISMA | Closed loop artificial pancreas | Develop a multi hormone pump and smart patch system for automated Type 1 diabetes control |
| REDCAP | Hybrid supercapacitor | Develop an energy storage device combining supercapacitor power with battery level energy density |
| SpiNNode | Neuromorphic edge computing | Bring SpiNNaker neuromorphic and hybrid AI systems from cloud scale to low latency edge devices |
| SuperClean | Plasma treated superhydrophobic membranes | Upscale membrane treatments for industrial wastewater treatment and test for longevity and fouling resistance |
| TAONas-LUAD | Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for lung adenocarcinoma | Advance AON technology toward clinical trial validation for a form of aggressive lung cancer |
Practical advice for exhibitors and investors
Pere Duran advised exhibitors to prepare in advance, use the official MWC app to arrange meetings, and to engage beyond their booths by attending stage sessions and network events such as lunches and speed dating. He emphasised that product market fit and user experience remain essential. He also recommended early focus on revenue models, cybersecurity and data privacy, and embedding sustainability into the company strategy.
What participation can realistically deliver
Trade fairs can generate leads, press coverage and partnership opportunities. The EIC and 4YFN cite examples of companies increasing sales or striking deals after participation. Those outcomes are plausible but not guaranteed. Real commercial impact depends on the maturity of the product, the quality of follow up, market readiness and whether the event leads are converted to customers or pilots. Organisers provide matchmaking and coaching but measurable success commonly requires weeks and months of post event work.
Claims of immediate commercial wins should be viewed with caution unless they are corroborated by contract details and long term follow up. Trade fair selection processes and EIC support are useful signals of quality but they do not replace rigorous due diligence for investors.
Event scale and logistics
MWC Barcelona presents over 2,400 exhibitors across multiple halls and attracts tens of thousands of industry attendees. 4YFN itself reports cumulative impact metrics from a decade of activity including connecting more than 9,200 founders with 5,400 investors, hosting over 4,500 exhibitors and welcoming about 180,000 attendees to its programmes since launch. For MWC Barcelona 2024, the EIC Pavilion is intended as one of several curated zones where European deep tech companies aim to maximise exposure.
Where to find the EIC and programme information at the event
EIC Pavilion: Hall 8.1, Booth 8.1A20. T2M Venture Building projects display: Hall 8.1, Booths 8.1B53.7 and 8.1B53.8. MWC Barcelona and 4YFN run concurrent schedules including stage sessions and networking events across Halls 8.0 and 8.1 from 26 to 29 February 2024.
Final assessment
The expanded 4YFN and the EIC Pavilion reflect the continuing effort by European institutions and event organisers to funnel attention and resources to deep tech startups. The combination of curated selection, pre event coaching and on site matchmaking increases the odds that participating companies will generate useful conversations and leads. Outcomes remain contingent on execution, post event follow up and the inherent readiness of the technologies and teams. For investors and partners, the pavilion provides a concentrated way to survey pipeline companies. For startups, trade fair participation can accelerate market access but should be regarded as one stage in a longer commercialisation process rather than a single moment of transformation.