CFI-Barcelona, the newly established Centre for Funding & Innovation at La Salle Campus Barcelona, is a powerhouse for research, innovation, and global collaboration. As a key initiative of La Salle – Ramon Llull University (La Salle-URL), CFI-Barcelona drives impactful partnerships, accelerates knowledge valorisation, and secures strategic funding, reinforcing La Salle's leadership in international research and innovation.
Leading the way are Co-Directors Dr. Rafael Popper, International Director, and Dr. Rosa Maria Alsina Pagès, Local Director, who bridge academia, industry, and government to foster high-impact collaborations. CFI-Barcelona strengthens La Salle’s position within the International Association of La Salle Universities (IALU), a network spanning 60+ institutions and over 1 million students worldwide, facilitating global research and innovation.
La Salle-URL is proud to count Dr. Rafael Popper among its visionary leaders. Recently recognised as one of the World’s Top 30 Futurist Professionals for 2025 by Global Gurus, Dr. Popper is a global expert in foresight and strategic innovation. His leadership at CFI-Barcelona expands La Salle’s international reach, unlocking funding and shaping the future of research-driven solutions.
Dr. Rosa Maria Alsina Pagès, as Local Co-Director, ensures CFI-Barcelona operates at peak performance. As La Salle-URL’s Director of Research and Innovation since 2019, she has propelled the university’s research ecosystem, overseeing six AGAUR-recognised research groups and a TECNIO-certified technology transfer centre. With 90+ researchers and 80+ active projects, she guarantees that CFI-Barcelona is an engine of innovation, fully equipped to unleash La Salle’s research potential.
CFI-Barcelona thrives on collaboration, forging synergies with La Salle Technova Barcelona and the Internet of Things Institute of Catalonia (IoTiCAT). This strategic alignment fuels innovation, ensuring research translates into real-world impact. As Xavier Baño, Director of Innovation and Business Transfer, puts it, “Our strength lies in solving complex problems with a deep understanding of business needs.”
Launched in December 2024, CFI-Barcelona is more than a research centre—it’s a catalyst for change. Dr. Popper describes it best: “CFI-Barcelona is a gateway to resilience and collaboration, ensuring innovation drives societal transformation.”
By fostering a global research culture, empowering entrepreneurs, and securing high-level funding, CFI-Barcelona is shaping the future of knowledge creation. Researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers are invited to join us in building a more sustainable, innovative, and impactful world.