An AI solution to detect subclinical atherosclerosis, AItheroscope by Horus ML, and a platform to analyze gut microbiota and generate personalized nutritional recommendations, Biotasmart, have been named the two winning startups in the Longevity World Forum competition, the global longevity summit, whose fourth edition concluded today at La Nave (Madrid).
AItheroscope, presented by Jesús Prada, CEO of Horus ML, received the Longevity Potential Award. It is an advanced solution for the early detection of atherosclerosis in primary care. Using artificial intelligence, it analyzes echocardiograms and retinal images to identify early signs of the disease, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis, early intervention, and improved clinical outcomes. Prada highlighted that “50% of patients who suffer a heart attack are classified as low risk by existing calculators. Our tool has only a 5% false positive rate and enables diagnosis in 35% of patients aged 35 to 55 who were previously considered at cardiovascular risk. This represents around 4 million people.”
Meanwhile, Biotasmart was recognized with the Best Longevity Pitch Award. Olga Carbonell, founder of Biotasmart, explained that the platform analyzes gut microbiota through metagenomic sequencing and AI to generate personalized nutritional recommendations. “We provide technology to move from data to plate, emphasizing the importance of microbiota. We help healthcare professionals understand their patients’ microbiota,” she said.
The other six startups presenting their solutions at LWF2026 were: 4Habits, an AI- and neuroscience-based digital wellness and longevity coach focused on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, mindset, and recovery habits; N-Gene, a platform integrating predictive genetics into routine clinical practice to estimate the risk of multifactorial diseases; Celentis Sensores, focused on cellular aging research with rapid, real-time detection in in vivo and ex vivo models; Regemat 3D, a personalized 3D bioprinting solution with bioreactors for joint regeneration and advanced therapies; Xcure Surgical, which develops customized 3D-printed bone implants for complex orthopedic and trauma cases, such as major bone loss or prosthesis revisions; and NIB Biotec, a non-invasive urine test for advanced prostate cancer diagnosis based on proprietary molecular biomarkers.
As the Best Pitch winner, Biotasmart will receive one-to-one strategic support from the investment and funding team at Banco Sabadell BStartup10, as well as strategic consulting on technical protection and asset optimization from Longevity Zone, plus four passes to LWF 2027.
Horus ML, with its AItheroscope project, will also receive support from Banco Sabadell BStartup10 and Longevity Zone, along with comprehensive development of its strategic communication lines, guidance on positioning, building a solid narrative for investors and partners, and aligning science, business, and social impact from La Embajadora. Additionally, Columbus Venture Partners will provide strategic sessions to help the startup scale, consolidate its business, and address critical growth challenges. The company will also receive four passes to the next edition of LWF.
Competition Jury
The jury was composed of Francisco Larrey, Director of Longevity World Forum; Arnau Segura, Investment Analyst at Banco Sabadell BStartup10; Clément Destoumieux, Health Lead at the Spanish Startups Association; Juan Carlos Santamaría, Communications Director at Ubikare; Elena Pérez Mancusso, Head of Entrepreneurship at the Madrid Chamber of Commerce; Damià Tormo, Founding Partner and CEO at Columbus Venture Partners; Gloria Navarro, Director of La Embajadora; and Juan Naveira, Senior Venture Associate at Plug&Play. The awards were presented by Arnau Segura; Carolina Hernández, CEO and Founder of Longevity Zone; and Beatriz San Martín, Director of Plug & Play.
Additionally, on the final day of the Longevity World Forum, Leslie Kenny, from Oxford Healthspan, emphasized the importance of achieving both preclinical and clinical credibility. “Scientists discover and entrepreneurs translate. Researchers and physicians are skeptical that aging can be reversed, but consumers act as if it were possible. In longevity, we must build trust — and that is done with data,” she stated. The sessions concluded with a roundtable discussion on entrepreneurship in healthcare.
