Ana Maiques facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ana Maiques
Maiques in 2021
Born	1972 (age 52–53) Valencia, Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Business Executive
Spouse(s)	Giulio Ruffini

Ana Maiques, born in 1972 in Valencia, Spain, is a Spanish entrepreneur and business leader. She is the CEO and co-founder of Neuroelectrics. This company, based in Barcelona, creates special devices. These devices help treat brain problems without needing surgery.

Maiques also leads EsTech, a group for fast-growing tech companies in Spain. She is part of the European Innovation Council Advisory Board. Ana is a strong supporter of having more women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs. She encourages women to join the tech and business worlds. She was even named one of the Most Inspiring Fifty Women in Europe.

Ana Maiques's Education

Ana Maiques studied economics at the University of Barcelona. She also earned an MBA from London Metropolitan University. Later, she completed an advanced management program at IESE Business School. These studies helped her become a successful business leader.

Ana Maiques's Business Journey

Starting Her Career

Ana Maiques began her career in 1999 in Barcelona. She worked for a Belgian company called Starlab. There, she worked with Giulio Ruffini, who later became her husband. In 2001, Starlab faced financial trouble. Ana, Giulio, and Manel Adell took over the research part of the company in Barcelona.

Starlab then developed amazing new technologies. These included advancements in space research and neuroscience, which is the study of the brain. In 2014, Ana Maiques won an award. She received third prize in the European Woman Innovator of the Year awards. This was for her great ideas in making Starlab a top science company.

Neuroelectrics: Helping Brains with Technology

In 2011, Ana Maiques started Neuroelectrics in Barcelona. It was a new company that grew out of Starlab. In 2014, she opened offices in Boston, United States. Neuroelectrics focuses on creating medical devices for the brain.

Ana describes Neuroelectrics as a "digital brain health company." Their goal is to treat brain diseases in a special way. They use technology that is non-invasive (no surgery needed) and personalized for each person.

How Neuroelectrics Devices Work

The devices from Neuroelectrics do two main things. They record brain activity and gently stimulate the brain. They do this by sending small electrical currents. The company uses brain models and algorithms. These help them create treatments that are just right for each patient.

Their special headgear can read brain activity and send electrical signals. It has been used to measure brain tiredness in NASA pilots. This technology might also help treat epilepsy. Researchers are also looking into using it for other brain conditions. These include neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. They are also exploring its use for anxiety and depression.

Starstim Device and Its Impact

Neuroelectrics created a notable device called Starstim. This technology helps stimulate the brain without surgery. It combines transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and electroencephalography (EEG). This means it can both stimulate and monitor brain activity at the same time.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Neuroelectrics made Starstim usable at home. The FDA approval allowed it to treat major depressive disorders remotely. In 2021, Ana Maiques secured $17.5 million in funding. This money helped advance studies for epilepsy and depression. It also improved the device's abilities and expanded its use in telemedicine.

Under Ana Maiques's leadership, Neuroelectrics has received awards. In 2016, Entrepreneur magazine named it one of the Best Entrepreneurial Companies in the United States.

EsTech: Supporting Spanish Tech Companies

Ana Maiques is a co-founder and the President of EsTech. This group started in March 2022. Nine top Spanish tech companies, including Neuroelectrics, Cabify, and Glovo, created it. EsTech wants to make high-growth tech companies in Spain more visible. It also aims to support them.

The group highlights how these companies help the economy, the environment, and create jobs. EsTech focuses on finding and training talented people. It also works on getting funding and educating the public about the new economy. They also talk to lawmakers about policies. Ana Maiques believes these companies will greatly impact the Spanish economy soon.

Other Important Roles and Awards

Besides her work at Neuroelectrics, Ana Maiques is very active in innovation. She is a permanent member of the European Innovation Council Advisory Board. In 2018, she became a Termeer Fellow at the Henri Termeer Foundation.

Ana Maiques has received many awards for her career. In 2022, Goldman Sachs gave her the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs award. She was also named one of the Most Inspiring Women on the Inspiring Fifty list in Europe. This happened for two years in a row, in 2015 and 2016.

Ana Maiques's Advocacy

Ana Maiques strongly supports gender equality in STEM fields. She often speaks about the difficulties female entrepreneurs face in the tech industry. She is dedicated to creating more chances for women to work in these areas.

Ana Maiques's Personal Life

Ana Maiques is married to physicist Giulio Ruffini. They have four children. She divides her time between living in Barcelona and Boston.

Awards and Recognition for Ana Maiques

• 2010: Named one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Spain under 40 by IESE Business School
• 2014: EU Prize for Women Innovators
• 2014: International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC)
• 2015: Best Start-Up Health Award (for Neuroelectrics), Wired Health (UK)
• 2015: One of Inspiring Fifty's most inspiring European female leaders in the technology sector
• 2016: One of the Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America (for Neuroelectrics) in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Entrepreneur 360" list
• 2016: One of Inspiring Fifty's most inspiring European female leaders in the technology sector
• 2022: Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs Award by Goldman Sachs
• 2023: Disruption Award by Women's Startup Awards for women entrepreneurs who are "breaking the mold."

See also

In Spanish: Ana Maiques para niños