BBVA Spark and new ways to invest through innovation

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When talking about BBVA Spark and stock market investmentsIn reality, we're talking about something much broader than a simple financial product. Spark is BBVA's commitment to supporting tech startups and scaleups that are transforming entire sectors through digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data. And while it's not a trading platform in the traditional sense, its role in the investment ecosystem is key to understanding where smart money is flowing today.

In this context, operations such as financing to TaxDown (a Spanish and Mexican tax 'fintech') oa PropHero (an Australian proptech company focused on Spain) helps illustrate how BBVA Spark is becoming a strategic partner for innovative companies. Through its financial support, Spark is driving projects that indirectly influence how individuals and businesses invest, manage their wealth, and engage with the digital economy.

What is BBVA Spark and how does it fit into the world of investment?

BBVA Spark It is BBVA's business unit designed as a specialized bank for high-growth, innovative companies and venture capital funds. It's not simply a current account with a few perks, but a comprehensive offering that covers everything from day-to-day transactions to advanced financing solutions, closely linked to the world of venture capital and rapid growth.

The central idea is that technology-based startups and scaleups, as well as the funds that invest in them, can be managed in one place payments, collections, payroll, cards and treasurywhile gaining access to financing products specifically designed for capital-intensive business models with strong scalability potential.

One of the differentiating factors is access to Sources of funding such as venture debt or asset backed lendingThese alternatives allow companies that already have venture capital investors on their 'cap table' to obtain additional resources without diluting the founders' stake as much, something very relevant in advanced rounds or in international expansion phases.

Instead of simply analyzing historical balance sheets, BBVA Spark takes into account factors typical of the entrepreneurial ecosystem: the quality of the team, the level of traction, the backing of venture capital funds, the market potential or the degree of innovation in the business model. This way, it adapts better to technology companies with strong growth that do not yet fully fit the criteria of traditional banking.

This vision allows him to work hand in hand with both early-stage startups that are consolidating their product, and with scaleups that have already validated their proposal and are looking to scale operations, open new markets or strengthen their liquidity to grow faster and with less friction.

TaxDown: the fintech company that is changing the way you pay taxes

One of the most striking cases within the portfolio of companies supported by BBVA Spark is TaxDownA fintech company specializing in digital taxation has revolutionized how individuals manage their tax returns. Founded in 2019 by Enrique García, Álvaro Falcones, and Joaquín Fernández, the company's goal from the outset was to make filing taxes as convenient as using a mobile app.

The heart of their proposal is a combination of proprietary technology, artificial intelligence and expert adviceThe platform automatically analyzes the user's tax situation, cross-references data, identifies potential deductions, and generates personalized recommendations. Behind the scenes, a team of tax specialists validates and supplements the algorithms' work to deliver a robust and reliable result.

In just a few years, TaxDown has managed to add more than 4 million usersbecoming a leading provider of digital tax management solutions for individuals. Furthermore, it has helped over 500 companies integrate its services as a technology partner, offering their employees and customers a simple and hassle-free way to file their taxes.

The company actively operates in Spain and MexicoIn these markets, it has established itself as one of the leading platforms in its segment. According to available data, since its launch it has already managed more than €1.500 billion in taxes, which gives an idea of ​​the volume of declarations and procedures it has successfully processed.

Thanks to this scale, TaxDown has positioned itself as the platform that manages the most personal income tax returns in Spain, surpassing even many older private tools and traditional consultancies, which have not always managed to adapt to the level of automation and user experience provided by the new 'fintech'.

Growth, profitability and the role of artificial intelligence at TaxDown

TaxDown's model has not only grown in the number of users, it has also proven to be highly efficient from an economic point of viewIn 2025, the company exceeded 100% year-over-year growth in sales revenue and achieved profitability, a remarkable feat for a technology scaleup that continues to invest heavily in product and expansion.

This balance between scaling quickly and not skyrocketing losses has positioned it as one of the More efficient fintech scaleups from Europe. In an environment where many digital projects struggle to find the path to profitability, TaxDown has demonstrated that it is possible to grow at a double-digit rate while maintaining a focus on financial sustainability.

The key to that efficiency lies, to a large extent, in the intensive use of Artificial IntelligenceThe company has made AI the core of its operating model: it automates repetitive processes, personalizes recommendations to the fullest extent, and multiplies the productivity of human advisors, who can focus on the most complex cases instead of spending time on mechanical tasks.

Through its platform, users can not only submit the statement of incomebut also discover deductions that may have gone unnoticed, receive personalized suggestions to optimize your tax situation, manage additional procedures related to the Tax Office and resolve doubts directly with experts when you need it.

The results of this approach are reflected in clear figures: approximately one in four clients who used TaxDown for the 2024 tax year achieved savings on their tax return, with an average of around €300. This ability to identify optimization opportunities is one of the platform's major advantages over manual tax returns or less sophisticated solutions.

The strategic relationship between BBVA Spark and TaxDown

The connection between BBVA and TaxDown This is not simply a financing operation, but rather the result of a long-term collaboration. BBVA Spark has joined as a financial partner to drive the next phase of growth for the fintech company, but the relationship had already been established through various joint projects.

According to Enrique García, CEO and co-founder of TaxDown, having BBVA Spark as a partner is a key step, as the funding obtained allows them to continue investing in artificial intelligence, product improvement and expansion of services. The vision is that tax management will cease to be a complex process and become something almost automated, transparent, and accessible to anyone, without needing to master tax jargon.

For their part, BBVA Spark emphasizes that TaxDown fits perfectly with the type of companies they seek to support: businesses that not only digitize a traditional sector like tax advisory services, but also... redefine from the ground upIn this case, they do so by combining AI, operational efficiency, and a user experience designed for people who want simple and quick solutions.

The relationship began to take shape at startup ecosystem events, such as 4YFN, where BBVA Spark learned more about TaxDown's value proposition. Since then, the bank has followed its progress and decided to invest in a new phase of growth that will strengthen its position in both Europe and Latin America.

Beyond financial support, TaxDown has become integrated into the very BBVA channelsSince 2023, bank customers have been able to manage their tax returns directly through BBVA, leveraging TaxDown's tax technology to streamline the process. This integration is a practical example of how Spark not only invests but also creates operational synergies between the bank and startups.

Joint innovation: Cl@ve PIN and improvements in the banking experience

One very concrete result of the collaboration between BBVA and TaxDown has been the implementation of the possibility of Open an online account using Cl@ve PINThis option, developed in collaboration with the fintech company, has reduced the time required to register new customers at BBVA by more than half.

These types of technological improvements demonstrate how a company specializing in taxation can provide value beyond tax returns, using its experience in systems integration, identity validation, and relationships with public bodies such as the Tax Agency.

Furthermore, TaxDown is a social partner of the organization itself. Tax Agency and is a member of AEDAF (Spanish Association of Tax Advisors), which strengthens its credibility with users and its ability to operate in a complex regulatory environment. This combination of institutional recognition and technological agility is especially attractive to a bank like BBVA.

For BBVA Spark, supporting projects that simplify regulated and bureaucratic processes is strategic, because it aligns with its mission to support companies that are redesigning traditional sectorsIn this case, taxation and the relationship with public administration are a critical area where digitalization still has a long way to go.

By integrating solutions like TaxDown into its offering, BBVA not only provides better service to its current customers, but also positions itself as a benchmark for users seeking a banking experience closer to the usability standard set by the best technological apps.

PropHero: digital real estate investment supported by BBVA Spark

Another relevant example of the type of companies that BBVA Spark supports, with clear implications for the world of investment, is PropHeroIt is an Australian-based digital platform specializing in real estate investment that uses technology and data to simplify the purchase of properties as an investment asset.

PropHero falls within the 'proptech' universe, that is, companies that use technology to improve or reinvent services related to the real estate sectorIn this case, the goal is to democratize access to investment in housing and other real estate, making it easier for users to identify opportunities and manage the entire process with much less friction.

The company already operates in four countries and has established itself as one of the most innovative platforms in its ecosystem, with more than 10.000 active usersTheir forecasts include more than doubling their activity by 2025, relying on the development of their technology and the growing demand for digital investment services in real estate.

To boost this expansion phase, BBVA Spark has signed a new financing agreement with PropHero for a total of 2,5 millones de eurosThese funds are intended to strengthen their operating liquidity and support its growth plan, especially in Spain, which has become its main market and to which it has recently moved its headquarters.

The agreement also has the backing of European Union and the European Investment Fund (EIF) under the InvestEU program, which underlines the institutional interest in projects that combine technological innovation with impact in key sectors such as real estate.

Why PropHero fits into BBVA Spark's strategy

BBVA Spark emphasizes that PropHero represents exactly the type of company they want to support: digital, ambitious and with a real impact on its sectorTheir real estate investment model, based on data and artificial intelligence, aligns with the bank's priority of supporting innovative businesses that are also aligned with... sustainability criteria and efficiency.

By using big data analytics models, the platform can identify properties with strong profitability potential, optimize purchasing decisions, and help users diversify their exposure to the real estate market. This is especially interesting for investors looking to go beyond traditional home purchases without professional tools.

As the company itself has emphasized, BBVA Spark's confidence has been a key factor in boosting its growth strategyThe agreement strengthens PropHero's ability to scale operations, meet growing demand, and continue transforming the real estate investment experience through technology.

In parallel, this operation illustrates how Spark is not only focused on pure fintech, but is also investing in proptech and other verticals where digitalization is changing the nature of investment. The line between investing in the stock market, investing in startups, or investing in real estate is blurring when everything is managed on digital platforms with a strong analytics and AI component.

For the ecosystem, having a banking player like BBVA Spark backing projects with this approach adds extra credibility and opens the door to future synergies, both in financial products for end users and in collaborations with other funds and investment platforms.

BBVA Spark, startup ecosystem and impact on investment

BBVA Spark has established itself as a relevant player in the ecosystem of technology startups and scaleupsTheir proposal goes beyond simply putting capital on the table: it combines tailored financing, advanced banking services, and a network of contacts and sector knowledge that is especially valuable for companies in growth phases.

By investing in companies like TaxDown and PropHero, Spark is channeling resources toward business models that are redefining the way to invest, save and manage moneyAutomated taxation influences how individuals plan their disposable income, while digital real estate investment expands options for asset diversification.

For investors interested in stock market investments associated with BBVA Spark, it's important to note that Spark primarily acts as a bank for innovative companies and venture capital funds, not as a retail broker. Its impact on investment is mainly seen in its support for companies that may become IPO candidates, raise funding rounds with listed funds, or generate new investment opportunities for individuals.

In the case of TaxDown, for example, its consolidation as a leader in digital taxation in Spain and Mexico positions it as a Scaleup with potential for continued growth In other markets, this may attract the attention of investors specializing in financial technology. In PropHero's market, the evolution of the proptech sector and the professionalization of digital real estate investment may generate interest in products linked to real estate technology.

BBVA Spark, therefore, acts as a catalyst: it identifies high-potential companies, offers them tailored financing, sometimes integrates them into the bank itself, and helps expand its reach to more users. For those who closely follow the investment world, understanding the types of companies Spark supports is a valuable tool for identifying trends and potential opportunities in the medium and long term.

Overall, BBVA Spark's role as a bank for innovative companies, coupled with cases like those of TaxDown and PropHeroThis paints a picture where digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data are redefining how taxes are managed, how real estate is invested, and how personal finances are planned. While Spark isn't a traditional stock trading platform, its influence on the investment ecosystem is undeniable, and as these companies continue to grow, their relevance for those seeking new ways to invest will only increase.