Javier Santiso, founder of Mundi Ventures, warns Spanish deeptech investors: "Missing out on this era is unforgivable." His firm allocated €740 million to Quark Capital (QAC) and Catalan Growth Ventures (CGVZ), betting on AI and quantum computing startups. Yet critics argue Spain lags in deeptech adoption compared to Silicon Valley or Berlin.

Santiso emphasizes the sector's urgency: "We're racing against time to avoid being left behind." QAC's €740 million fund targets AI-driven healthcare platforms, while CGVZ's €89 million focuses on quantum computing infrastructure. Both aim to bridge gaps in Spain's fragmented tech ecosystem, but experts question if capital alone can overcome regulatory hurdles and talent shortages.

The backlash reflects broader concerns: Spain's deeptech sector ranks 12th globally in R&D spending, trailing the U.S. by 40%. Startups like BioNanoTech (backed by QAC) and NeuroWave AI (CGVZ portfolio) struggle to scale without cross-border partnerships. Santiso insists, "Collaboration, not just capital, will define this decade."

With €5.2 billion in pending EU grants for tech innovation, Spain's bet on deeptech hinges on translating vision into execution. As Santiso puts it: "The question isn't if we'll succeed—it's how quickly we'll adapt."