La compañía gallega, que ha recorrido los itinerarios de Incubación, Aceleración y Consolidación de Business Factory Aero, ha obtenido la patente US 12,694,502 B1 para un sistema que combina drones, georreferenciación y visión artificial basada en inteligencia artificial para detectar y evaluar defectos en pavimentos.
Aguia Analítica Avanzada, company taking part in Business Factory Aero (BFAero), has been granted US patent No. 12,694,502 B1 in the United States for its technology for inspecting and assessing the condition of road surfaces.
The patent, granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on 28 July 2026, it protects a system for inspecting road surfaces by combining drones, image capture, geolocation, sensors and computer vision algorithms based on artificial intelligence.
The system enables pavement defects to be detected, located and measured using images captured from the air, and this information to be used to assess the condition of the pavement. In this way, the technology aims to facilitate the processing of large volumes of data and to automate some of the inspection tasks that traditionally require a significant investment of resources.
The granting of this patent recognises the technological development achieved by Aguia Analítica Avanzada and strengthens the protection of its technology – which originated and was developed within the Galician technology ecosystem – in the US market, whilst also marking a new step forward in the company’s international expansion and its commitment to applying artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial systems to the inspection and management of infrastructure.
From incubation to consolidation at BFAero
Aguia Analítica Avanzada’s journey is closely linked to BFAero. The company began its journey in the 4th edition, as part of the Incubation phase; it subsequently moved on to the Acceleration phase in the 5th edition and completed its time on the programme in the Consolidation phase during the 6th edition.
This journey reflects the gradual maturation of a technology that has progressed from its early stages of development to achieving new technological milestones and safeguarding its intellectual property, such as the recent granting of a patent in the United States.
BFAero: fostering talent and innovation in the aerospace sector
Business Factory Aero is a sector-specific programme for the incubation, acceleration and consolidation of projects in the aeronautical, aerospace and unmanned vehicle sectors, promoted by the Regional Government of Galicia through IGAPE and XesGalicia, and managed by the CEL Iniciativas por Lugo Foundation.
Since its launch, BFAero has supported 68 projects involving 49 companies, more than 80 per cent of which are still in operation. These companies generate 320 jobs and an annual turnover of more than 28 million euros, and have attracted 14 million euros in investment over the last two years.
The track record of Aguia Analítica Avanzada and the granting of this US patent thus demonstrate the ability of projects linked to BFAero to develop advanced technological solutions and bring them to new international markets.
The 8th call for proposals from BFAero is open to new projects and companies wishing to develop and scale up their solutions within this specialised ecosystem.
The Galician company Vig-Sec Drone, a participant in the Acceleration track of the 5th edition and the Consolidation track of the 6th edition of the Business Factory Aero (BFAero), has been selected by the technology accelerator DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) to take part in its Mission Track phase (a phase focused on operational adoption). Only 15 companies from the 2026 cohort – comprising 150 innovators selected from over 3,600 proposals – have progressed to this new phase of the programme.
The company is participating with Suite ACRE, a technology platform developed for the tactical management and coordination of medium- and low-altitude airspace, which enables information from the company’s own drones, counter-drone (C-UAS) systems and other aerial assets to be integrated into a single coordination layer.
Mission Track is the follow-on phase of NATO’s DIANA acceleration programme, aimed at technologies that have demonstrated strong relevance to defence and a clear alignment with the operational needs of allied countries. Its aim is to bring the selected solutions closer to operational readiness and to facilitate pathways for their adoption at scale.
The selected companies can access up to 300,000 euros in additional non-dilutive contractual funding, as well as continuing to use the NATO DIANA network of test centres and receiving specific support to advance their adoption and scaling-up processes.
Validation in international operational environments
Alongside this new development within NATO DIANA, the ACRE Suite is taking part in REPMUS26 over the coming weeks, a multinational exercise dedicated to the testing and integration of unmanned systems, which is taking place in Troia and Sesimbra, Portugal, between 31 August and 25 September.
The exercise brings together 36 countries and more than 130 dual-use technology suppliers to NATO, as well as organisations such as the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and provides a benchmark environment for testing the interoperability of new technologies in operational scenarios.
According to Vig-Sec Drone, the ACRE Suite is being used during the exercise to coordinate airspace at medium and low altitudes, thereby further validating the platform in international scenarios with high operational demands.
A career linked to BFAero
Founded in Galicia in 2019, Vig-Sec Drone has built a track record closely linked to the Galician ecosystem of innovation and technological entrepreneurship. The company took part in BFAero, joining the Acceleration programme in the 5th edition and the Consolidation programme in the 6th edition, stages during which it was able to drive the development and growth of its project within an environment specialising in the aeronautical, aerospace and unmanned vehicle sectors.
Their progress reflects the potential of the projects supported by BFAero to move from technological development to operational validation, to forge links with major players in the sector, and to expand into international markets.
ACRE Suite currently has over 2,000 users and is in use by public bodies, emergency services and units of the Armed Forces. The platform has already taken part in national and international exercises such as ATLAS, Steadfast Dart and Spring Storm, and at the end of September it will also be taking part in Drone Shield 2026 in the Czech Republic.
Participation in REPMUS26 and selection for NATO DIANA’s Mission Track thus represent two milestones in Vig-Sec Drone’s international track record and highlight the ability of companies linked to the BFAero ecosystem to develop technological solutions with international applications in strategic sectors.
Business Factory Aero, promoted by the Galician Regional Government through IGAPE and XesGalicia and managed by the CEL Iniciativas por Lugo Foundation, supports projects in the aeronautical, aerospace and unmanned vehicle sectors during their incubation, acceleration and consolidation phases. The 8th call for proposals from BFAero is open to new projects and companies wishing to develop and scale up their solutions within this specialised ecosystem.
Several companies linked to the Business Factory Aero(BFAero) ecosystem, including Binarial Automatización y Robótica, Ventilation Lab, Kreios Space, and Lupeon, have been selected as recipients of the NEXOS grant program, a funding initiative by the Regional Government of Galicia aimed at promoting collaborative R&D&I between SMEs and knowledge centers in strategic sectors. With a budget exceeding 20 million euros, NEXOS seeks to boost competitiveness, sustainability, and digital transformation by mobilizing significant investments in areas such as the circular economy, agri-food, and advanced manufacturing.
In total, four companies affiliated with BFAero are participating in projects selected under this call for proposals, out of a total of 138 supported companies—representing nearly 3% of the total—which underscores the ecosystem’s presence in the program and its contribution to collaborative innovation in Galicia.
The NEXOS call for proposals will support 37 R&D&I projects in collaboration with knowledge centers, with the aim of promoting initiatives in industrial research, experimental development, and organizational and process innovation. The total budget is €22.6 million, and it is expected to mobilize approximately €39.8 million between 2026 and 2028.
Participating BFAero companies
Among the beneficiary companies are several firms involved in projects spearheaded by BFAero:
Kreios Space, S.L. and Lupeon, S.L., participants in the MANA project (Advanced Manufacturing for the New Space Age), which focuses on advanced manufacturing applied to the space sector.
Ventilatio Lab, S.L., a participant in the XIADA project, which focuses on developing solutions for smart air management and environmental disinfection in the field of health and well-being.
Binarial Automatización y Robótica, S.L., a member of the SENSOMARE project, which focuses on researching new solutions in advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence for the fishing industry.
Binarial Automatización y Robótica, S.L., a member of the SENSOMARE project, which focuses on researching new solutions in advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence for the fishing industry.
Promoting collaborative innovation
The funded projects will be carried out by consortia consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of six SMEs, with the aim of promoting collaborative work and the effective transfer of results.
In this context, the participation of companies affiliated with BFAero reinforces the ecosystem’s role as an active driver of innovation, fostering connections between companies and knowledge centers and contributing to the development of technological solutions that have an impact on strategic sectors.
Strategic Projects for Galicia
The selected initiatives fall within the strategic areas defined in the Galician R&D&I Plan 2025–2027, notably the circular economy and energy, advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and health and well-being.
The NEXOS call for proposals is part of the Activa I+G+i program, which supports collaboration between companies and the effective transfer of research results; the Galician government has allocated more than 40 million euros to this program through four major calls for proposals.
The participation of companies affiliated with BFAero in this call for proposals highlights, once again, the ecosystem’s ability to drive innovation and engage in high-impact collaborative projects, thereby helping to strengthen Galicia’s technological and industrial base.
The School of Industrial Organisation (EOI), in collaboration with the Galician Regional Government, is offering its Executive Programme in Defence Industry (Galicia), a training course aimed at professionals, managers and companies wishing to strengthen their capabilities in one of the strategic sectors with the greatest growth potential. This initiative forms part of the Regional Government’s commitment to consolidating Galicia as a region with strengthened industrial and business capabilities to access the security and defence market.
The registration deadline is today, 23 March, and the course will begin on 17 April in a blended learning format, with a total duration of 128 hours.
What will you learn on the programme?
The programme is structured around four key thematic blocks, designed to offer a comprehensive overview of the defence industry ecosystem and its opportunities:
Ecosystem and structure of the sector. Understanding how the defence sector is organised, its public and private stakeholders, and governance mechanisms.
Funding instruments and business opportunities. Learn about the main funding mechanisms and models for accessing strategic contracts and programmes.
Programme and contract management. Operational tools for managing contracts and projects within a highly regulated environment.
Innovation and business collaboration. Case studies and strategies to foster innovation, cooperation and business growth within the sector.
High-calibre teaching panel
The Executive Programme features professional experts from the institutional and business sectors, with extensive experience in advocacy, funding and programme management. The involvement of these lecturers provides a practical and up-to-date perspective that facilitates an understanding of the real challenges and opportunities within the sector.
How to register
Interested companies and professionals should submit their application via the programme’s landing page.
The total cost of the programme is €4,400, and thanks to the support of the Xunta de Galicia, the subsidised amount payable by the participant is €660.
Companies linked to the BFAero ecosystem will be eligible for special enrolment terms, enhancing access to this strategic training.
Key training for business growth
This programme represents a unique opportunity for companies and professionals in the aerospace and technology sectors who wish to enhance their skills, expand their network of contacts and access new business opportunities in the defence industry. Make the most of the final day to register and be part of this strategic initiative
Business Factory Aero participated in Invertir en Ciencia SÍ es Rentable, a strategic meeting of scientists, investors and technology-based companies held in Santiago de Compostela, to showcase examples of accelerated companies that reinforce the slogan of this fourth national meeting, organised by UNIRISCO and Xesgalicia.
The companies Vig-Sec DroneandKreios Space participated in a round table discussion to share their experiences on the value of the Business Factory model as a lever for promoting entrepreneurship and science in the service of strategic sectors, moderated by IGAPE.
Along these lines, Noelia Gil, director of operations and co-founder of Vig Sec-Drone, explained the added value of ‘connecting with the Galician ecosystem because it opened many doors for us.’ She also acknowledged that ‘the experts we had access to helped us position ourselves in the market.’
For his part, Jan Mataró, CTO and founder of Kreios Space, explained how they decided to move the company from Catalonia to Galicia: ‘We needed a vacuum chamber to carry out some tests and, thanks to BFAero, we had the support of the Xunta de Galicia through IGAPE and we ended up getting the project off the ground.’ Having a favourable environment of public support, investors and a strong ecosystem encouraged the company to make the move. ‘Initially, eight of us moved, and now there are more than 25 of us.’
Alongside the start-ups, more than 50 speakers analysed investment in deep tech technologies as a driver of economic transformation and social impact, and the need for private capital to boost competitiveness, technological sovereignty and sustainable growth.
Patient investment
During this event, the role of public and private investors was also analysed, as well as the need for investment in science and technology-based companies to be approached as a patient investment.
Vig Sec-Drone and Kreios Space are examples of entrepreneurs with disruptive technology that has generated interest among public and private investors. At the end of 2025, Vig Sec-Drone closed a €1 million investment round to accelerate its growth and consolidate its technology. The round was led by Encomenda Capital Partners SGEIC and included the participation of Lugo Transforma, XesGalicia and Vigo Activo Sociedad de Capital Riesgo.
For its part, Kreios Space closed an €8 million seed investment round led by NATO Innovation Fund and Join Capital, making it the largest European funding round for VLEO technologies. The operation was also backed by other investors, including Xesgalicia, Grow Venture Partners, and Tasivia Global.
Slimop Space, a start-up promoted by Business Factory Aero (BFAero), received the National Industry Award “Bien hecho en España” in the Industrial Entrepreneurship category from His Majesty King Felipe VI during the 8th National Industry Congress, which is being held until 5 February in Bilbao.
The award recognises start-ups with a strong capacity for innovation in developing industrial projects with high added value that strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, digital transformation and the development of their own productive and technological capabilities.
The Regional Minister for Economy and Industry, María Jesús Lorenzana, congratulated the company on receiving the award and highlighted the importance of this recognition for Slimop Space, which is given to newly created companies for their innovative capacity. ‘One of the pillars,’ she said, ‘on which the advanced industrial policy is based, goes hand in hand with the company, the technology and the talent we have and want to attract to Galicia, consolidating us as a leading region in the acceleration of high-impact technological projects.’
This recognition represents significant endorsement of the company’s track record and reinforces BFAero’s role as a platform supporting technological and industrial entrepreneurship geared towards technological sovereignty. BFAero is now a strategic lever for business creation and acceleration within the framework of the Strategic Initiative for Security, Defence and Aerospace 2025-2030, promoted by the Regional Ministry of Economy and Industry, through Igape (Galician Institute for Economic Promotion) and Xesgalicia.
Slimop Space has been part of the Business Factory Aero ecosystem since its sixth edition, in which it participated in the Acceleration track. It has now been selected for the seventh edition of the programme in the Consolidation track.
The first edition of the National Industry Awards, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, recognise business initiatives that stand out for their contribution to strengthening Spanish industry, technological innovation, and the development of solutions with high economic and social impact, making excellence a hallmark of the industry.
BFAero, Spain’s best accelerator according to the Funcas ranking
Recognised for the second consecutive year as the best accelerator in Spain in the Funcas national ranking, the programme has had a strong economic and innovative impact in Galicia.
Since its launch in 2018, it has supported 58 projects, created 15 new technology companies, and promoted the relocation of 13 companies to Galicia and the creation of more than 270 skilled jobs. The projects in the 5th and 6th editions have attracted more than €14 million in investment.
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