everis foundation acknowledges Juan Abascal with the Spain everis Award 2019 for the promotion of the Washercap project, developed by Abanza Tecnomed. This biomedical company created a soft connective tissue fixation system for the reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) of the knee. This is the first device able to fix soft tissue regardless the quality of the bone. It is also minimally invasive and solves an injury that affects more than one million people annually.

"Thanks to this award we will be able to start a multicenter clinical trial so in a close future nobody needs to hear what I heard when I was younger: say goodbye to football for the rest of your life", said Abascal.

According to the jury, Washercap is not only an innovative system, but it also has a local application and a global reach, as it benefits anyone with an active lifestyle who may suffer a knee injury.  

Abascal’s team will receive for their project an award of non-refundable €30,000, as well as mentoring services by the everis Group and a pass to the international final of the 18th edition of the everis Awards to entrepreneurship, where an additional award of €60,000 is at stake.

In this final, to be held on 28 November in Madrid, Spain will participate together with the winning projects of Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Mexico, Peru and Portugal.

Washercap focuses on the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, one of the most prevalent sports injuries worldwide. Its objective is to improve the results obtained in the market with current procedures and devices, providing the means to ensure patients a faster and more effective rehabilitation.

In this edition, more than 730 Spanish startups have presented their technological innovation projects in three categories: Industrial Technologies, New Business Models in the Digital Economy, and Biotechnology and Health. 

everis foundation promotes technology-based entrepreneurship and innovation projects that are scalable and sustainable, and contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of society.