How was StatAI Solutions founded? What was the starting point that led you to create the company?

StatAI Solutions was founded this year, but in reality this is a project that has been maturing for quite some time. I would say the 2020 CERN Challenge was the initial trigger. The second clear milestone came last year, when we won an Ekintzaile award, which gave us a strong boost of confidence. That was when I decided to leave my stable job and commit to this project 100%. It’s important to highlight that this project would not have been possible without the support of colleagues, suppliers, and institutions.

For those who are not familiar with the company, how would you define StatAI Solutions in one sentence?

StatAI Solutions is a deep-tech company specialized in the development and integration of advanced robotic systems, with a strong focus on control software and complementary capabilities in mechanical design and thermal analysis.

What is the core technology you work with, and what sets you apart from other players?

Our core technology is advanced control of physical systems, which we apply to different robotic platforms and complex mechanisms. This includes the development of high-performance controllers for multiaxial structures, sensor integration, and the development of dynamic models.

We differentiate ourselves through a strong orientation toward R&D&I and by betting on solutions that can scale in the long term. This combination is very important because in every project we take on, we aim to be at the cutting edge of what we implement in order to create impact in the coming years.

A clear example is our collaboration with the School of Engineering of Vitoria in the field of physical AI. This represents a more advanced level of control, as we are exploring how to use foundation models (similar to the generative AI models we currently use) so that existing robots can learn through imitation and reasoning. It is a very new field, but we believe it will have a huge impact over the next decade in manufacturing and aerospace.

Could you share a specific use case where your work has generated a notable impact?

Winning this year’s Tu Idea Cuenta award in the industrial category with our hexapod platform was very important for us. It was not something we expected, as we had very strong competitors and we presented it at a moment when the project was just pivoting. It gave us a strong push to stay on this path and maintain consistency.

What are your priorities for the next 12–24 months?

Our first priority is to expand academic and industrial collaborations in physical AI, an area for which we already have a defined roadmap for the coming year. We want to consolidate joint lines of work that allow us to validate new learning methodologies, advance intelligent control mechanisms, and accelerate the transition of these developments into real-world applications.

The second priority is team growth. As projects evolve, we will need highly specialized profiles in control, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Attracting this talent will be key, especially in a region with very high technical demand, and we are working to ensure we can bring in the right people at the right time.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far as a founder?

Founding the company itself, due to the uncertainty of administrative procedures while simultaneously managing technical challenges. Maintaining consistency and staying up to date with new technologies is not an easy task either.

If you could give one piece of advice to those who are just starting out, what would it be?

Enjoy the journey as much as possible, be resilient, and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary. And if things don’t work out, we will always have valuable experience under our belt and the ability to find another path forward.

How does Cristian disconnect from his project?

By going for walks with my partner and our dogs, Belka and Lu.

Quick-fire questions

Entrepreneurship-related movies you would recommend?
October Sky and The Martian. Both show a very particular kind of entrepreneurship: solving huge problems with limited resources through engineering, creativity, and persistence. They reflect very well the mindset we have in the company.

A phrase that reflects your work philosophy
Every small step forward is an investment in the long term.

If you could have a meeting with a historical figure, who would it be?
Nikola Tesla, to understand how he managed to have such a vision across different fields when thinking about the distant future.

If you could go back in time, would you become an entrepreneur again?
Without a doubt. It’s a path that offers immense learning, with all its ups and downs.