Big Van Ciencia
Big Van Ciencia is a Barcelona-based science communication company founded in 2013 that delivers performing-arts-driven science education — including scientific monologues, clown theater, teacher training, and EU-funded school programs — to schools, educators, corporate sponsors, and the general public across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Big Van Ciencia does
Big Van Ciencia is a Barcelona-based science communication company founded in 2013 that translates rigorous scientific content into performing-arts formats — primarily scientific monologues (Monólogos Científicos) and clown theater (Clowntífics) — for school audiences, teachers, and the general public. Its core technology is a proprietary communication methodology that combines stand-up comedy, theatrical performance, and curriculum-aligned scientific content, delivered by a network of 20+ practicing scientists (PhDs in mathematics, physics, biochemistry, biomedicine, astrophysics) who are also trained stage performers. The firm operates more than a dozen branded programs including Health Show (with Fundación Pfizer), Cuestión de Ciencia (with Bayer), Ciencia Show (with Universidad del País Vasco), Reimagina la Ciencia, NBS EduWorld, Macaronight, OTTER, VALUART, and PERFORM, many funded by European Commission Horizon grants (H2020, Erasmus+, SWAFS).
The business operates four primary revenue streams: (1) live science shows and performances delivered as one-time engagements at schools, universities, and events across Spain, Europe, and Latin America; (2) teacher training courses sold on a pay-as-you-go basis (including online courses like 'Contar la Ciencia' and 'AI tools for teaching'); (3) corporate and institutional projects sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, banks, and foundations, structured as recurring partnerships; and (4) European and national research grants (H2020/SWAFS, Erasmus+, national science education initiatives) treated as managed-services revenue. Many flagship school programs (Health Show, Cuestión de Ciencia) are offered free of charge to participating educational centers, with costs covered by corporate sponsors and public grants. Distribution occurs through direct school outreach and tour scheduling, institutional partnerships with universities (UB, UNIR, UNAM, Universidad de Cantabria, Universidad del País Vasco), EU project consortia, and a digital footprint spanning YouTube (multiple channels including El Físico Barbudo, Derivando, Clowntífics), TikTok, and email/newsletter marketing. Customer segments split between primary buyers (schools/educational institutions and teachers) and secondary buyers (corporate partners, foundations, EU/national grant bodies); a retail store offers books and merchandise as a minor incremental stream.
Big Van Ciencia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Van Ciencia
- Legal name
- Big Van Ciencia
- Website
- https://bigvanciencia.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big Van Ciencia is a Barcelona-based science communication company founded in 2013 that delivers performing-arts-driven science education — including scientific monologues, clown theater, teacher training, and EU-funded school programs — to schools, educators, corporate sponsors, and the general public across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Van Ciencia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Science Communication Services
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ), Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)
Keywords
Where Big Van Ciencia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Big Van Ciencia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Live Science Shows and Performances: Revenue from presenting scientific monologues and theatrical performances at schools, universities, events, and venues across Spain and internationally
- Teacher Training Courses: Professional development courses for educators on science communication, educational technology, and pedagogical methodologies
- Corporate and Institutional Projects: Sponsored educational projects funded by pharmaceutical companies, foundations, and government institutions
- European and National Research Grants: Funding from EU Horizon programs (H2020, SWAFS), Erasmus+, and national science education initiatives
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Cuestión de Ciencia Competition |
| Other | Annual | Health Show Program |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Online Courses |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Big Van Ciencia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Van Ciencia fundamentally develops and delivers science communication experiences that combine performing arts, theatrical performance, and stand-up comedy with rigorous scientific content. The core offerings are live science shows (Monólogos Científicos for secondary students and Clowntífics for children), training courses and workshops for educators and researchers on science communication, and a portfolio of sponsored educational projects (such as Health Show, Cuestión de Ciencia, PERFORM, NBS EduWorld, Macaronight, OTTER, VALUART) delivered through schools, universities, and public events across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.
Product overview
Big Van Ciencia is a science communication company offering a portfolio of educational products and services centered around making science accessible to diverse audiences. The core offerings include live performances (Monólogos Científicos and Clowntífics), training courses for educators, and over a dozen educational projects (NBS EduWorld, Macaronight, OTTER, VALUART, PERFORM, Get Up and Goals, Health Show, Ciencia Show, Reimagina la Ciencia, Cuestión de Ciencia, Imagina el teu Futur). These are complemented by online streaming services, online courses (Contar la Ciencia, AI tools for teaching), a YouTube content network, and a retail store for books and merchandise. The company serves educational centers, event organizers, and the general public across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Clowntífics: Scientific clown show combining comedy and science education for children and families
- Monólogos Científicos
- NBS EduWorld
- Macaronight
- PERFORM
- Ciencia Show
- Cuestión de Ciencia
- Reimagina la Ciencia
- Health Show
Products and services
- Monólogos Científicos Live science comedy shows featuring researchers performing stand-up style monologues that explain scientific concepts with humor and rigor, targeting secondary school, high school, and vocational training students.
- Clowntífics Clown-based science theatrical performances combining comedy and scientific experiments for children in infant and primary education, featuring characters Orilo and Arlequina.
- Formación (Training Courses and Workshops) Training courses and workshops for educators and researchers on scientific communication, featuring methodologies like monologues, stage presence, and presentation techniques.
- Formaciones Big Van Ciencia Online Online training courses for educators including Contar la Ciencia, AI tools for teaching, science on YouTube, eLearning tools, and project creation.
- Health Show Educational experience by Big Van Ciencia and Fundación Pfizer for 5th and 6th grade students to discover how science helps understand health and wellness.
- Ciencia Show Science education project through performing arts promoting scientific-technological vocations in young people using stand-up comedy style monologues with scientific content.
- Reimagina la Ciencia Program for classrooms about how scientific research confronts diseases through project-based learning, where students create audiovisual artistic pieces on oncology research.
- Cuestión de Ciencia 7.0 Science-educational initiative challenging secondary school students across Spain to address major human challenges using science guided by sustainability, aligned with Agenda 2030.
- Imagina el teu Futur Educational program for primary students presenting solutions to three major social challenges: eliminating plastics from nature, achieving sustainable food, and halting climate change.
- PERFORM Participatory process to turn secondary school students into authentic science communicators, while reflecting on critical thinking, gender, and research ethics.
- NBS EduWorld European project combining Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) with education, bringing together researchers, educators, and NBS professionals to create attractive educational materials focused on environmental merits.
- Macaronight Event organized by Big Van Ciencia at the Museo Elder in Gran Canaria, offering researchers the opportunity to present their projects and inviting educational centers to participate in scheduled activities.
- OTTER Project developed by Finland, Ireland, Hungary, and Spain to spark interest in science and environmental sustainability among young people using outdoor education tools and methodologies.
- VALUART Training program developed with Parque Explora (Colombia) and Adamas Scienza (EMBL Rome) to create effective scientific communication projects with audience appeal and social impact.
- Get Up and Goals European Commission DEAR project addressing international inequalities, climate change, migrations, and gender inequality through non-formal education and arts-based youth initiatives.
- Online Activities (Monólogos Científicos Online and Clowntífics Online) Virtual adaptation of live shows streamed via Zoom for remote participation, including scientific monologues for secondary students and Clowntífics for children.
- Tienda (Online Store) Online store offering science communication products including books and branded merchandise like t-shirts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 250,000 spectators have attended live science performances
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Big Van Ciencia
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Big Van Ciencia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Big Van Ciencia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BayercoreCo-organizer of Cuestión de Ciencia 7.0 competition providing 10,000€ in prizes for schools. Bayer sponsors the science education program targeting secondary school students across Spain.
- European CommissioncoreFunding partner for multiple EU research and innovation projects including PERFORM (H2020-SWAFS) and other science education initiatives. The European Commission has financed development of new participatory methodologies for fostering scientific vocations among youth.
- Fundación PfizercoreCo-organizer of Health Show program for 5th and 6th grade primary school students to discover how science helps understand health and wellness.
- Universidad de CantabriaminorProvides support through UCC+i (Unitat de Cultura Científica i Innovació) for Health Show program delivery.
- Universidad del País VascocoreJoint organizer of Ciencia Show program through Cátedra de Cultura Científica. Universities collaborate on science education competitions and teacher training.
- Parque ExploraminorScience museum in Medellín, Colombia that collaborated on developing the VALUART training methodology for science communication projects.
- EMBL RomaminorEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory in Rome collaborated on science communication training methodology development.
- UNESCOcorePartner institution for global science communication initiatives and science education programs.
- CERNcoreEuropean Organization for Nuclear Research, collaborating institution for science outreach and public engagement activities.
- CSICcoreSpanish National Research Council, collaborating institution for science communication and research dissemination.
- FECYTcoreSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology, partner for science communication initiatives in Spain.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Big Van Ciencia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- QuantumFracture: Spanish science YouTube channel (José Luis Crespo) focused on physics communication. Comparable as a Spanish-language science-content creator competing for the same student and educator audience using engaging, narrative-driven formats.
- CdeCiencia: Spanish science communication blog and YouTube channel founded by researchers. Comparable as a peer-operated science outreach property in Spanish targeting general and student audiences.
- FameLab: International science communication competition and training program run by Cheltenham Festivals. Comparable because Big Van's founder won FameLab Spain and the company delivers the same monologue-style format that FameLab popularized.
- Naukas: Leading Spanish-language science communication platform and event series (Naukas Bilbao/A Coruña). Directly comparable as a Spain-based, audience-facing science outreach brand combining live talks, blogs, and multimedia in Spanish.
- Científicos Sobre Ruedas (Big Van Latinoamérica): Big Van's own pan-Hispanic sister brand. Listed as a near-self comparable given overlapping mission, Spanish-language output and Latin American tour activity.
Broad incumbents
- Exploratorium: Established US science museum and educator-training institution in San Francisco. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in the same space of interactive science communication and teacher professional development.
- Science Museum Group: UK national science museum network. Comparable as a broad incumbent running large-scale public engagement programs, teacher training, and touring science exhibitions that overlap with Big Van's offering.
Regional players
- Parque Explora: Interactive science museum and aquarium in Medellín, Colombia. Comparable as a Latin American science-communication institution that has co-developed methodology (VALUART) with Big Van and serves similar student audiences in the region.
- Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología: Science museum in Gran Canaria, Spain, and host of Macaronight. Comparable as a regional Spanish venue partner that commissions science communication programming similar to Big Van's live shows.
Others
- FECYT (Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología): Spanish government foundation funding science communication initiatives. Comparable not as a competitor but as an ecosystem enabler/funder — Big Van is a partner — that influences who wins Spanish science outreach contracts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Big Van Ciencia social profiles
Digital presenceBig Van Ciencia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Van Ciencia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Big Van Ciencia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Van Ciencia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big Van Ciencia
What does Big Van Ciencia do?
Big Van Ciencia fundamentally develops and delivers science communication experiences that combine performing arts, theatrical performance, and stand-up comedy with rigorous scientific content. The core offerings are live science shows (Monólogos Científicos for secondary students and Clowntífics for children), training courses and workshops for educators and researchers on science communication, and a portfolio of sponsored educational projects (such as Health Show, Cuestión de Ciencia, PERFORM, NBS EduWorld, Macaronight, OTTER, VALUART) delivered through schools, universities, and public events across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.
Is Big Van Ciencia a public or private company?
Big Van Ciencia is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Big Van Ciencia founded?
Big Van Ciencia was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big Van Ciencia based?
Big Van Ciencia is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Big Van Ciencia make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Live Science Shows and Performances are the primary driver. The others are teacher Training Courses, corporate and Institutional Projects and european and National Research Grants.
Who are Big Van Ciencia's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are QuantumFracture, CdeCiencia, FameLab, Naukas and Científicos Sobre Ruedas (Big Van Latinoamérica). Broad incumbents are Exploratorium and Science Museum Group. Regional players are Parque Explora and Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología. FECYT (Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología) is listed as an others.
Does Big Van Ciencia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Van Ciencia.
What industry is Big Van Ciencia in?
Big Van Ciencia's product category is Science Communication Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs), with a secondary code of MPACALAD, Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses. Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.