The power of University-Industry Collaboration – Fractus and the UPC. A shared vision for Innovation and Commercialization

Apr 28, 2025

Summary of the news published in the digital version of the newspaper El Periódico, on April 16, dedicated to Fractus, born as a spin-off of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and which exemplifies the transformative potential when academic excellence is combined with entrepreneurial vision. The company’s revolutionary development of the miniature multiband antenna — enabling internal integration into mobile phones at the dawn of their mass adoption — demonstrates the vital role universities play in fostering technological breakthroughs that reshape entire industries.

The power of University-Industry Collaboration – Fractus and the UPC. A shared vision for Innovation and Commercialization — Carme Borja, head of Technology and Intellectual Property at Fractus, and Jordi Ilario, general director, to the company's offices, in Sant Cugat del Vallès. Photography: El Periódico.

The strategic collaboration between Fractus and the UPC continues today through the Fractus-UPC Deep Tech Hub, a platform designed to bridge real-world technological challenges with innovative student-driven solutions. The Deep Tech Hub actively invites UPC students to tackle real problems with cutting-edge technology, cultivating a new generation of innovators with both technical acumen and entrepreneurial mindset.

Strengthening the path from Lab to Market

Carmen Borja, Fractus’ Head of Technology and Intellectual Property, emphasizes that many promising technologies born in start-ups, universities, and research centers fail not due to lack of innovation but because they lack the resources to industrialize and scale. The licensing model promoted by Fractus — and reinforced through its partnership with UPC — offers a crucial alternative: generating value from technology without the need for heavy manufacturing investment.

This approach not only maximizes the commercial potential of academic research but also empowers young entrepreneurs to protect and monetize their ideas effectively, ensuring that innovation does not stay confined within laboratories but reaches global markets.

Conclusion: A model for the future

The enduring relationship between Fractus and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya highlights the profound impact of nurturing deep collaboration between academia and industry. It proves that with the right structures — like the Deep Tech Hub — it is possible to transform groundbreaking ideas into sustainable global business opportunities, while inspiring and equipping future generations to lead the next wave of deep tech innovation.

Read the article in El Periódico: Fractus, la empresa que revolucionó las antenas de los móviles, invita a sacar todo el partido a la innovación (Fractus, the company that revolutionized mobile phone antennas, invites you to take full advantage of innovation).