Diana Ballart from Empordà, recognized for her work as CEO and co-founder of The Smart Lollipop, has received an award at the second edition of the Universitat de Girona's Alumni Awards 2026 in the Entrepreneurship category. Her company develops an innovative lollipop-shaped medical device for disease diagnosis using saliva samples, aiming to avoid invasive tests and offering a universal and inclusive solution.
Beyond the recognition, the awards include an economic endowment of 500 euros. Ballart has decided to donate these funds to Projecte Lola, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating about animal respect. This choice reflects a deep personal connection to the cause, which Ballart considers a fundamental part of her daily life.
Projecte Lola works to promote the idea that animals are part of the family and to foster responsible coexistence, particularly among children and families. Ballart's decision highlights her committed vision, which is also reflected in her professional career in technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ballart, who resides in Girona, is a publicist and holds a PhD in communication for deeptech startups. Her career has focused on innovation and technological entrepreneurship, earning recognition for promoting entrepreneurship, including a campaign for FC Barcelona.
Currently, The Smart Lollipop offers two product lines: the One model, used in hospitals such as Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Trueta de Girona, and the Core model, under development, which incorporates biosensor technology for point-of-care analysis. The company is currently seeking private investment to boost commercialization and growth.
