On July 13 the fourth edition of “Coffee with…” was led by Lluís Pareras, manager of the Innovation Division of the Official Medical Association of Barcelona (COMB) and director of the Venture Capital Fund Healthequity.

Entitled “New trends in healthcare innovation,” the event was dedicated to what is called ‘social entrepreneurship’. Lluís Pareras emphasized the distinction between social entrepreneurs and traditional entrepreneurs and the expansion of this new concept, defining ‘social entrepreneur’ as someone who cares about generating a social change. 

In his speech Pareras declared that “Health is a particularly fertile field for social entrepreneurs” and pointed out the emergence of a new type of citizen who seeks solutions to problems which neither capitalist governments nor the administration are capable to solve.  He also explained that the social entrepreneurs, together with NGOs and activism, form the three corners of a triangle that is concerned with improving the situation of developing countries or countries with large social needs. Finally, the director of the Venture Capital Fund Healthequity highlighted his wish to promote and push the so-called Venture Philanthropy - a type of venture capital fund that combines donation and investment, and which turns out to be the key of this new trend’s success. Some relevant data provided is that in Europe there are already 40 Venture Philanthropy Funds whereas Spain is just beginning to boost this kind of investment. 

The event was attended by professionals of healthcare, research and innovation areas as well as by professionals of business and institutions related to the Consortium Biopol'H. The event was broadcasted via Twitter, new built in the last edition.