A new round in the Alicante region highlights the continued push of a business accelerator led by the president of Mercadona, Juan Roig. Two regional startups were selected from a nationwide pool for the latest call in September, extending the program’s footprint into the province and reaffirming its role in fostering growth across sectors such as health, nutrition, and energy finance.
The first company to join the project is Ibions, part of the Traction program. This initiative focuses on startups that already have a defined concept but are still in their early stages. Ibions entered the program in September of the previous year, bringing together medical expertise from internal medicine physician Sara Bañón and molecular biology PhD Julio Madrigal. The venture operates an online clinic aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer patients through nutrition and targeted interventions. The goal is to enhance overall health and treatment outcomes through dietary strategies.
Sara Bañón observed that patients shown to benefit from specific dietary changes could experience notable improvements. The team emphasizes how certain foods can support gut microbiota health, a key factor when cancer therapies may disrupt the microorganisms living in the body. This approach aligns with the broader mission to help patients maintain well-being during oncological treatments.
The founder notes that one in three people will face cancer at some point. They believe their work can reach many lives by enabling better daily choices, highlighting a shift that allowed Bañón to relocate from a public health role in New York to dedicate herself fully to this venture. It marks a significant step forward in her career and a departure from previous public health responsibilities.
Specialty coffee and recycled leather products for Juan Roig Shuttle
The current team is strengthened by psychologist Angel Vergar, whose perspective on parity is seen as essential to driving the behavior changes necessary for the project. Initially, the team admitted some apprehension about an online clinic’s reception, yet the post-pandemic landscape has shown a comfort level with digital health platforms, reducing perceived barriers. A core aim upon entering the Lanzadera accelerator was to create synergy with technology firms already in residence and to develop an app that simplifies treatment tracking. Plans also include future clinical trials, with a clear stance that recommendations will be grounded in scientific evidence, while critiquing interventions in this field that lack rigorous validation.
Another venture within the program is a school initiative focused on promoting cancer prevention through nutrition, currently just getting established online. Through Lanzadera, Modelium joined the accelerator via the Start program, which supports entrepreneurs in the early shaping of their projects. Alberto Sanchez leads this effort, developing a software platform to analyze the financial aspects of renewable energy projects.
Sanchez explained that the decision to start the company followed eight years in the renewable mutual fund industry. He observed that many internal processes within this sector were insufficiently optimized and overly reliant on software tools. Although the project remains in a beta phase, its inclusion in the accelerator aims to professionalize the business and accelerate management know‑how, moving beyond initial pilot work into scalable operations.
Lanzadera has a long track record. Since its 2013 inception, the program has accelerated more than a thousand companies and provided over €21 million in loans to various projects. Today, more than 300 startups receive support within the Marina de Valencia facilities. Selected companies can access a spectrum of assistance, from a modest €1,000 up to substantial financing exceeding €500,000, complemented by extensive training and mentorship to build sustainable growth.
Cited information on Lanzadera and its portfolio comes from program records and official summaries of accelerator activities. (Citation: Lanzadera program overview)