Jumping from a major corporation to your own startup: The Sybol method for overcoming fear, at BIG Talks

The origins of Sybol represent the dream of many intrapreneurs: an idea developed within a large organization that succeeds in becoming an independent venture with institutional backing. The journey, however, was far from simple. Raúl describes himself as analytical, highly methodical, and very engineering-oriented. His way of managing uncertainty has always been to ensure there are several alternatives available. "At least three, in case the first or second one fails.".

Making the leap and managing cash flow is incredibly important.

Moving from the comfort of a major corporation to launching a startup requires much more than technical expertise. It also demands financial discipline and emotional resilience. Raúl explains it with refreshing honesty: "Seeing something we've been working on for so many years finally take shape as a real business, and knowing we've built it from scratch."&nbspAccording to him, that feeling is what provides the motivation to keep moving forward.

One of the most common mistakes made by technology startups is focusing exclusively on technical validation while overlooking commercial validation. Mike Ivars, Senior Analyst at Bolboreta Impulsa, explains it clearly: it is not enough for a technology to work; it must also be proven that the market wants it. This is where double validation becomes essential.

"Technical validation is not simply about proving that something works. There is also a technology-market validation process that demonstrates whether the technology is truly viable in the market."

This is a critical lesson for any deep tech entrepreneur. For that reason, having access to experts capable of reducing technological risks before major investments are made becomes invaluable. But Mike goes one step further: even when a technology is protected by a patent, it still needs to be validated by the market.

When asked about Sybol's greatest asset, Raúl has no hesitation. "The people behind it . Both the current team and everyone who has believed in the project throughout all these years."Beyond technology, Sybol has succeeded in surrounding itself with talented individuals who have shared the challenges, setbacks, and achievements along the way.

That said, KPIs still matter. Like every startup, Sybol closely measures progress. Raúl is very clear about the company's primary objective: "We have a product that depends on generating significant volume. The key metric is being able to sell our solution to at least two major companies, two multinational corporations capable of bringing smaller organizations into the ecosystem."&nbspIn practical terms: "The main metric is volume and the number of licences sold.".

Sybol is building a corporate digital identity platform aligned with eIDAS2, the new European regulation that will be progressively implemented through 2027. Raúl sees this regulatory change as a major opportunity: "The eIDAS II regulation, which is already in force and will begin entering widespread use from January 2027, will create a turning point in the adoption of digital identity tools by a much broader audience.".

For Sybol, regulation is not a threat. It is a catalyst. When regulation creates new requirements, organizations need solutions capable of meeting them. This creates opportunities for deep tech startups capable of delivering secure and scalable technologies. As Raúl puts it with a smile: "Within regulated sectors such as logistics, energy, and pharmaceuticals, I'd love to see products displaying 'Powered by Sybol'.&nbsp

Throughout the interview, Raúl shared several lessons for entrepreneurs just beginning their journey. The first concerns time management. Looking back, he admits: "I would have dedicated much more time to developing the platform at the beginning before going to market."&nbspFinding the right balance between launching quickly and building a robust product remains one of the hardest challenges for founders.

He also reflected on the importance of understanding every part of a businessthe importance of understanding every part of a business. "Many people focus only on what they know how to do and delegate everything else. I think it's incredibly valuable, even if it means investing time you could spend elsewhere, to understand every department that will form part of your company from the start".

However, perhaps the most valuable advice was aimed at first-time founders: "Take the leap. Surround yourself with the best people you can find and allow yourself to be advised. Above all, listen actively. It's important to remember that you're not the first person to do this. There are many people around you who can help and genuinely want to help".

One of the strongest messages from the interview concerns the importance of choosing investors&nbspcarefully. Not every investor is the right fit for every company. In Sybol's case, the partnership with Bolboreta Innova was instrumental from the outset. "It's not just about investment capital. It's about sharing the same vision, both from a personal perspective and from an impact perspective.".

Raúl remembers the first meeting particularly fondly, even before Bolboreta Impulsa joined the investment round. "When we first presented the project, they gave us very valuable advice about our investor deck and how we were presenting the company. That made subsequent conversations with other investors much easier". The ability to contribute value beyond capital, open doors, and share practical experience is what distinguishes a true partner from a conventional investment fund. &nbsp

If you're building a deep tech company, this conversation matters

Because it speaks honestly about the challenges and opportunities that come with developing complex technologies in uncertain markets. If you would like to watch the full interview with Raúl López, you can view the complete video here