i4KIDS advances the Impact4kids programme within the framework of the Catalan institutional mission to California
The paediatric innovation hub i4KIDS took part in the institutional mission to California held from 12 to 15 May 2026, as part of the official visit led by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa. The delegation also included the Minister for Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat; the Minister for European Union and Foreign Action, Jaume Duch; and the Director General for Knowledge Transfer and Society, Javier Selva. The mission aimed to strengthen strategic alliances in key areas such as biomedical research, technology and innovation.
Within this context, one of the mission’s central pillars was to highlight concrete examples of collaboration between Catalonia and California. Among them, the partnership between i4KIDS and Impact1 Stanford Biodesign stood out. This collaboration, initiated in 2022, has driven a range of activities aimed at strengthening connections between ecosystems. These include opening the “Stanford Innovator’s Forums” to projects developed in Europe, enabling them to benefit from specialised mentoring sessions led by US-based experts. More recently, this relationship has been further reinforced with the launch of the Impact4Kids acceleration programme, consolidating a structured collaboration model with a strong international outlook.
Day one: advancing paediatric innovation with Impact1
The first full day of the agenda featured a key milestone: the institutional visit to Stanford Biodesign and the Impact1 programme, one of the world’s leading initiatives in paediatric and maternal health innovation.
The Catalan delegation was welcomed by Dr Josh Makower, Director of the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign, and Dr Janene Fuerch, Co-Director of Impact1. They presented their ecosystem and its strategic collaboration with i4KIDS, represented by its Director and Innovation Coordinator at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Arnau Valls, and Sofía Ferreira, Head of Internal Innovation at SJD.
During the visit, participants shared the progress achieved since the beginning of the partnership, which has enabled the launch of the Impact4kids programme. This pioneering transatlantic acceleration initiative connects the innovation ecosystems of the United States and Europe to foster solutions in paediatric and maternal health. The programme provides access to expert knowledge in key areas such as regulatory frameworks (FDA and EMA), market access, clinical strategy and funding, helping to accelerate both development and market entry of new solutions.
Following the success of its first edition, and thanks to the support of a Catalan donor, a second edition of the programme is scheduled to launch this summer, further strengthening its continuity and international impact.
The President of the Government of Catalonia highlighted the value of international partnerships built on trust and collaboration, emphasising programmes such as Impact4kids as examples of the kinds of initiatives Catalonia aims to continue promoting in the field of innovation.
The agenda on 13 May concluded with an institutional lunch organised by ACCIÓ with the Catalan community in Silicon Valley, bringing together more than forty professionals, entrepreneurs and researchers. This gathering helped identify new opportunities for collaboration in areas such as clinical research, advanced therapies, and the attraction of talent and companies to the Catalan ecosystem.
The day closed with an institutional dinner with representatives from the research and academic sectors, helping to strengthen ties between Catalonia and leading international institutions, and to consolidate spaces for dialogue around innovation and knowledge transfer.
Day two: exploring new strategic collaborations
On 14 May, the delegation continued its programme with a visit to the Gladstone Institute, one of the most prominent biomedical research centres in the United States, renowned for its work in fields such as neurology, cardiology and infectious diseases.
Throughout the day, working meetings were also held with the Impact1 leadership team to further develop ongoing lines of collaboration. In addition, the delegation met with the company FOCUS, which specialises in the development of medical devices under FDA and CE regulations, to explore potential synergies in biomedical innovation and technological development.
A further step in i4KIDS’ international positioning
The mission has contributed to strengthening the strategic relationship between i4KIDS—representing the Catalan and European paediatric and maternal innovation ecosystems—and the Stanford Biodesign ecosystem, while reinforcing its positioning as a relevant international player.
In the words of Arnau Valls, Director of i4KIDS, “this visit has strengthened a strategic collaboration that highlights the value of connecting innovation ecosystems at an international level. The partnership with Impact1 Stanford Biodesign allows us to share knowledge and accelerate the development of solutions with a real impact on the health of children and their families, while positioning Catalonia as a leading hub in global paediatric and maternal innovation.”
The trip also underscored the key role of the Catalan community in California as a bridge for generating new collaboration opportunities, as well as the importance of international cooperation in advancing research and innovation, enhancing business competitiveness, and attracting and retaining talent.
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