Barcelona's Masia closes €18M debut fund and opens new home for frontier tech founders

Masia, a Barcelona-based venture capital firm, has concluded its inaugural €18 million fund aimed at investing in early-stage AI and frontier technology startups with a connection to the city. To coincide with the fund's close, Masia has introduced Masia House, a dedicated space in Barcelona to unite its founders, international investors, and limited partners (LPs).

The venture combines capital investment with access to global investors, talent, and expertise, bolstered by a network of founders, operators, and over 70 LPs. Masia's Co-founder and Chairman, Carlos Trenchs, highlighted the opportune timing for Barcelona, noting that the city's tech ecosystem was on the brink of a significant shift when the firm launched its first fund the previous year.

Masia House is envisioned as the next phase of this mission, providing a physical location where founders and investors can cultivate relationships, fostering growth and scale for global frontier tech businesses. Barcelona's technology scene is bolstered by recent data, with the city attracting €1.175 billion in startup investments during the first nine months of 2026, marking a 14% year-on-year increase.

The city also ranks as the sixth-largest hub for deep technology startup funding in the European Union, having secured €610 million between 2020 and 2024. Among the fund's backers are successful technology founders, industry executives, experienced investors, and two prominent institutional investors. Since its inception in 2025, Masia has invested in 46 startups, representing 60 founders, and has co-invested with 60 international and specialized venture capital firms, including Common Magic, Nina Capital, Point Nine, and Lunar Ventures.

Notable portfolio companies include Biorce, which leverages AI to streamline clinical trials and recently secured a $52 million Series A round; Prosper, an AI-driven patient journey management platform that raised $30 million led by a16z; and a Y Combinator-backed AI-native identity platform. Pepe Borrell, Masia's Founding Partner, emphasized the firm's commitment to supporting founders leveraging AI and frontier technology to tackle significant market opportunities, with an international outlook from the outset.

Masia's strategy revolves around nurturing these companies through investment and connecting them with individuals who can aid their expansion. The Masia House, situated across more than 1,000 square meters on four floors in Barcelona's Gràcia neighborhood, offers a comprehensive workspace, meeting rooms, accommodations for visiting investors, and a terrace.

Plans for a new addition on the ground floor are in the works for early 2027 and aim to extend the community's reach to the broader Barcelona frontier tech ecosystem. Carlos Trenchs reiterated Masia's global aspirations, expressing a desire for Masia House to evolve into a hub for founders and investors involved in building multinational companies, aiming to establish one of Europe's most interconnected communities.

With the fund's closure and the inauguration of Masia House, the team now comprises seven members. To lead operations, Masia has welcomed Gemma Torruella, who brings over two decades of experience in launching initiatives and implementing strategies in Spain's financial and entrepreneurial sectors. Cathy White has joined as Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, contributing over 15 years of expertise in the European tech and venture ecosystem, spanning roles in agencies and at Seedcamp.