HISTORY

The history of Batec Mobility is closely linked to its founder, Pau Bach. In 1997 Pau was involved in a traffic accident that left him quadriplegic. He was eighteen years old and had, up until then, led a very active life. A passionate lover of motorbikes and cycling, he was in his first year of industrial design, which he had chosen because he wanted to become a vehicle designer. In addition to the after-effects of the injury itself, Pau had to struggle with an offer of technical and orthopaedic aids that did not fulfil his expectations, either in terms of mobility or in terms of lifestyle.

Frustrated with the situation, he decided to start manufacturing by hand his own mobility solutions: add-on handbikes that could be connected to his wheelchair and which incorporated technology from cycling and electric vehicles. Thanks to his inventions, Pau was able to enjoy a new kind of mobility that allowed him to practise sports, travel and get around autonomously. In doing so, he was able to engage in the normal life of a twenty-something year old.

At the age of 27, he went one step further – he decided to improve the life of others in his situation, by making the prototypes of his handbikes into viable, sellable products. That is how Batec Mobility was created in 2006.

MISSION

Batec Mobility’s mission is to radically improve the mobility of people with physical disabilities. We believe and see every day that an effective and significant improvement in the mobility of a person who has limited mobility as a result of an injury or illness, has a direct, positive impact on their quality of life. And that is why we design, manufacture and sell innovative, attractive and high quality products (the Batec handbikes) that aim to match the mobility of such people – and therefore their lifestyle – with that of people without disabilities.

You can get used to being in a wheelchair. But not to giving up on life.

SOCIAL PROJECT

Firstly, Batec Mobility is a socially-oriented company created by people with disabilities with a view to making a mark on this very sector of society, by making a positive social impact. Our greatest impact is on users of our handbikes, whose life we manage to change by improving their mobility. Secondly, Batec Mobility also creates jobs for disabled people. Lastly, we collaborate closely with institutions, promoting an active lifestyle for people with disabilities.

	"My life changed over night."		"You can integrate better with people - you can go where everyone goes."
"There's nothing stopping me now."		"You don't realise the difference it makes until you have it!"
	"My town is not accessible and thanks to Batec it is now."		"I've started to say 'I'll just nip out for...' again! It's no longer a drag to go out and run errands."
"Before, I didn't leave the house much and went everywhere by car."		"I no longer have to be constantly looking at the pavement and I can get about feeling relaxed and calm."

BATEC OF BARCELONA

Batec Mobility is located in Barcelona. The nature of this Mediterranean city, which invites people to enjoy the open air in good company, inspired us to create Batec Mobility, to enable people with physical disabilities from across the world to lead an active, dynamic lifestyle.

Barcelona is also a large city with an old tradition in industrial design, which is recognised worldwide for its added value and quality. This was also decisive when it came to developing our handbikes, which are essentially useful but also very attractive to the eye.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Since its founding, the company has been recognized with several awards, among which are:

• 2020: Finalist in the Real Innovation Awards (Innovation in adversity category) of the London Bussines School
• 2020: Finalist in the S2B Impact Awards 2020 of the Ship2B Foundation
• 2017: Premio Cambra de Terrassa - International initiation
• 2016: Second prize for New Product of the Year – Foreign countries from Health & Rehab Fair, Scandinavia.
• 2016: Pau Bach, one of the three winners to Relevant Young Award from Círculo Ecuestre.
• 2015: Seres Award 2015 - Seres Foundation.
• 2015: Somos Conciliadores Award, Somos Empresa Awards - Banco Popular, El País and Cadena Ser.
• 2014: Pau Bach, one of the three finalists to Young Entrepreneur of Catalonia 2013 award - Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Catalonia (Aijec).
• 2012: Social Enterprise chosen (from among 97 applicants) to take part in the Momentum Project programme.
• 2011: Cambra 2011 Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility category – Cambra Awards of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Terrassa.
• 2011: Finalist in the Ciutat de Sant Cugat Awards.
• 2010: Award to the company with Best Business Social Responsibility – XI Awards to the Best Business Initiatives of Diputació de Barcelona.
• 2010: Finalist in the Award to the Best and Most Innovative Company - XI Awards to the Best Business Initiatives of Diputació de Barcelona.