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NANOGAP
NANOGAP is a Spanish family office investing in sub-nanometer metal-molecule catalysts for clean energy, water, and healthcare, led by Tatiana López.
NANOGAP
NANOGAP originated in 2006 as a spin-off from the University of Santiago de Compostela, founded by a team of scientists and directors including Tatiana López, David Buceta, Oswaldo Álvarez Francisco, Allen Reid, and Iria Rodríguez. The firm operates as a family office built around a proprietary materials technology — metal molecules (M-M), clusters of fewer than 20 atoms that constitute a new class of sub-nanometer catalyst. The firm's strategy combines direct co-investments and startup-stage deployment across advanced materials, clean energy, water remediation, and healthcare. Its M-M catalyst platform targets four application areas: clean hydrogen from solar photocatalysis, CO₂ valorization to fuels and chemicals, new routes to ammonia production, and direct oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide. NANOGAP has created two spin-out businesses: Arjuna Therapeutics and Hysun. Geographic focus spans Europe and North America, with offices in Spain and Silicon Valley. Confirmed portfolio applications include antimicrobial coatings, magnetic nanoparticles for early diagnostic kits, and gold nanoparticles for water desalinization. The team comprises 30 people, including eight PhDs, with four directors holding more than 80 years of combined experience. The firm holds 14 patent families and maintains a prestigious international advisory board. NANOGAP works collaboratively with customers and partners on custom projects, joint ventures, and spin-outs, sharing IP and licensing rights on commercialization. What distinguishes NANOGAP from typical family offices is its technology-incubator model: the firm uses a single platform technology — M-M catalysts — to address multiple markets, which it describes as reducing investment risk through diversification. Its close ties to academic research and a spin-out structure for commercializing breakthroughs give it a singular posture among family offices investing in deep-tech materials science.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
2006
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
Spain
City
A Coruña
Corporate office
A Coruña, Spain
Additional offices
Silicon Valley, United States
Principals
Tatiana López
Director
David Buceta
Director
Oswaldo Álvarez Francisco
Director
Allen Reid
Director
Iria Rodríguez
Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at NANOGAP?
NANOGAP is directed by a team of five directors: Tatiana López, David Buceta, Oswaldo Álvarez Francisco, Allen Reid, and Iria Rodríguez. The firm's scientific founders and eight PhDs also inform technical strategy. The firm does not publicly name a single CEO or CIO (per firm website).
How does NANOGAP source proprietary deal flow?
NANOGAP generates deal flow primarily through its own R&D and spin-out model. It develops technology in-house, incubates applications, and creates separate entities like Arjuna Therapeutics and Hysun to commercialize specific breakthroughs. The firm also collaborates with customers on custom projects and joint ventures (per firm website).
Is NANOGAP structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
NANOGAP operates as a single family office that functions like a technology incubator. It invests directly in its own M-M platform technology and spins out commercial entities, rather than deploying capital as a traditional venture capital firm. The firm states its structure allows diversification across multiple applications using a single core technology, reducing investment risk (per firm website).
Does NANOGAP participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
NANOGAP primarily engages in direct investments and co-investments, focusing on startup-stage opportunities. The firm does not publicly disclose any fund-of-funds or third-party fund commitments (per firm website).
What investment stages does NANOGAP typically target?
NANOGAP targets startup-stage investments. Its model involves incubating early-stage technology from its own R&D pipeline and spinning out companies for specific market applications, such as Arjuna Therapeutics and Hysun (per firm website).
Which sectors does NANOGAP explicitly avoid?
NANOGAP does not publicly disclose a list of excluded sectors. However, its entire portfolio and strategy are built around its M-M catalyst technology platform, so it naturally avoids investments unrelated to advanced materials, catalysis, or clean energy (per firm website).
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
NANOGAP does not publicly disclose the source of its underlying family wealth. The firm presents itself as a technology incubator backed by a single-family office, but the identity of the founding family and the origin of capital are not stated (per firm website).
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