For those who don’t know you, how did Loraontech start and what need were you trying to solve?

Loraontech was born more than three years ago, when my brother and I began experimenting with sensors on a plot of land near Vitoria-Gasteiz. At first, it was a hobby: we tested different measurements and communication methods, until we discovered the potential of LoRaWAN—a low-power, long-range radio frequency technology.

What really surprised us was this: you can install sensors in rural areas without complex infrastructure and with battery life of up to five years. We immediately saw the potential to transform how decisions are made in agriculture. Our mission became clear: to digitize rural environments in a simple, sustainable, and accessible way.

Where does the name Loraontech come from?

The name comes directly from the technology we use: “LoRa on Technology”. LoRa (Long Range) is a wireless communication technology designed for the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s ideal for sending small packets of data over long distances using minimal energy. Unlike WiFi or 4G, LoRa allows us to connect sensors in remote or rural settings without mobile coverage or electric grid access. That versatility allows us to create real solutions for agriculture without depending on costly or complex infrastructure. Beyond the wordplay, the name reflects our commitment to a simple, efficient, and accessible technology for the rural world.

 

What sets you apart from other market solutions? 

At Loraontech, we don’t just sell sensors or software. We design and manufacture our own devices, integrate third-party technology when needed, and develop the software that allows everything to be managed efficiently. This enables us to offer complete, tailored solutions from start to finish.

We handle the entire process: we install antennas, configure sensors, generate personalized reports, and support the client to understand, interpret, and take advantage of the collected data. We’re also developing our own storage system so that all the information generated by crops remains at its origin. Our goal is clear: for the farmer to have full control over their data without it ending up on third-party servers.

Where do you see Loraontech in 2-3 years?

If all goes well—and we’re working hard to make sure it does—we see ourselves as an established company in the agricultural sector, expanding into agroindustry, Industry 4.0, and smart cities.

In the agricultural world, we want to keep helping farmers and cooperatives digitize their crops, optimize resources like water and fertilizers, and make decisions based on real data. But we also see huge opportunities in the digital transformation of industrial processes, where our sensors and LoRa technology can monitor key variables like temperature, humidity, energy consumption, or predictive maintenance—at very low cost and with high efficiency.

As for smart cities, we believe our technology can provide great value: from sensors that monitor air quality and water management to solutions for tracking parking, street lighting, or noise pollution. All of this using LoRaWAN networks, ideal for deploying long-range, low-power solutions without expensive infrastructure.

We also want our software platform to evolve into something even more powerful: an intelligent, intuitive, and customizable tool that enables real-time data visualization and integration, the use of AI to detect patterns or predict issues, all while embracing a philosophy of digital sovereignty. Every community, company, or farmer should have full control over their data, without relying on large external platforms.

And most importantly: to continue growing without losing our essence—closeness, sustainability, and a passion for useful technology.

What has been the hardest and most rewarding part of entrepreneurship so far?

The hardest part has definitely been combining entrepreneurship with our regular jobs. Launching a project like this demands a lot of dedication, and in the beginning, you can’t afford to quit your main job, so you end up stealing time from sleep and your free time.

But seeing ideas turn into real solutions, gaining the trust of clients, and seeing your effort pay off is incredibly rewarding. That moment when you realize all the effort, doubts, and exhaustion were worth it.

Wat don’t people see behind building a startup that they should know? 

What people don’t see is the mountain of hours behind it, the mental load, and often the loneliness. Entrepreneurship means starting from zero, often without a clear guide. You have to learn everything: how to build a website, issue invoices, apply for funding, negotiate with suppliers…

It’s a process full of trial and error, and each failure requires you to get back up, correct course, learn, and keep going. Resilience is essential. It’s not just about having an idea; it’s about having the strength to build it brick by brick, often without knowing if the structure will hold.

 

If you could go back and start again, would you do anything differently?

Absolutely. We’d do it all over again, but this time we’d apply everything we’ve learned from day one. That would help us move faster and make fewer mistakes.

But we also recognize that those mistakes were necessary. Experience often comes from getting things wrong… and continuing anyway.

How do you balance entrepreneurship with your personal life? Any routines, habits, or “hacks” that help you maintain balance? 

It’s tough, no doubt, especially when you have another job besides the project. What’s helped us is having clear, achievable goals, breaking them into small, measurable steps. Consistency is key, and knowing when to say “that’s enough for today.” Being surrounded by a team that shares the vision and supports one another makes a big difference in tough moments. There’s no magic formula, but good time management and celebrating small wins really help keep morale up.

Quick-fire questions

• Movies about entrepreneurship you recommend?
  • The Social Network – A good reminder of how mismanaged ambition can tear teams apart. More of a cautionary tale than pure inspiration.
  • Coach Carter –A story we love for its message: with discipline and purpose, you can change your reality. Pure inspiration for any entrepreneur.

• Brand/Company that inspires you:
  • Netflix: We’re inspired by how they completely reinvented themselves without fear of killing their original model. That kind of business courage is essential.
  • Steam (Valve): We admire how they listen to their community, innovate without losing focus, and maintain quality without giving in to trends.
• Quote that motivates you in your work: “Success doesn’t mean never falling, but getting up every time you do.”
• If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be? Leonardo da Vinci. His ability to blend art, science, and limitless curiosity is exactly the kind of mindset we admire. We’d love to know how he would approach today’s tech challenges.
• If you went back in time. Yes, no hesitation. Starting a business has been like a real-life master’s degree. Sure, we’d make fewer mistakes, but we wouldn’t trade a single lesson that got us here.