2024/03/07

Science, Technology and Innovation in Euskadi: Presentation of the "Innobasque Innovation Report 2023"

Within the framework of the meeting held at CIC bioGUNE, significant progress in science, technology, and innovation in both Euskadi and Europe has been highlighted.

The presentation of the "Innobasque Innovation Report 2023" emphasizes a notable increase in R&D investment in Euskadi, solidifying its position as a "high innovation region" that surpasses European Union standards.

The Cooperative Research Center in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE) – member of BRTA - hosted a seminar focused on highlighting advances in science, technology, and innovation in Euskadi and Europe. This gathering not only underscored regional innovation but also highlighted the acceleration of digital and green transitions, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The presentation of the "Innobasque Innovation Report 2023" by Alaitz Landaluze and Iñaki Ganzarain, director and technical coordinator of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies at Innobasque, respectively, has unveiled the current situation, leaving a significant impact on science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies, and accelerating transformation in key sectors such as energy, transportation, and agri-food. This presentation highlighted a contrasting reality between the European Union and Euskadi. Despite signs of stagnation evident in the EU, surpassed by China in various metrics, Euskadi emerges as a "high innovation region," exceeding the EU average in terms of innovation.

Investment in Research and Development (R&D) in Euskadi experienced a growth of 10.5% in 2021, reaching a historic high of 1,647 million euros. This increase, surpassing the European average, is attributed to business investments, emphasizing the strategic value that companies place on innovation.

Sectoral development in Euskadi has been driven by exceptional investments from the EU and strong support from the Basque Government. This combination has accelerated the transformation of key sectors in the Basque economy, marking a significant shift compared to previous crises.

Although Euskadi has highly innovative companies, there is a push to promote innovation in small businesses, achieving growth in the percentage of innovative companies in 2021, especially in the segment with fewer than 50 employees.

Despite sustained growth, the need to strengthen investments in scientific and technological equipment and infrastructure is highlighted. Additionally, the importance of addressing the limited availability of personnel in Research and Development (R&D), exacerbated by the low birth rate in Euskadi, is emphasized as a key challenge that must be addressed to maintain innovative momentum in the region.

CIC bioGUNE reaffirms its commitment as a key center in driving research and innovation in the region, contributing to the dynamism and excellence of Euskadi in the European STI landscape.

About Innobasque

Innobasque is the Basque Agency of Innovation, an entity dedicated to promoting and driving innovation in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. Founded in 2007, Innobasque operates as a strategic agent collaborating with various stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, including businesses, public institutions, research centers, and society at large. Its goal is to contribute to the economic, social, and sustainable development of Euskadi through the promotion of innovation in all its forms.

About CIC bioGUNE

The Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Science and Technology Park of Bizkaia, is a biomedical research organization conducting cutting-edge research at the interface of chemical, structural, molecular, and cellular biology. It focuses particularly on generating knowledge about the molecular bases of diseases for use in the development of new diagnostic and prognostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA

BRTA is an alliance formed by four collaborative research centers (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE, and CIC energiGUNE) and 12 technological centers (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker, and Vicomtech). Its objective is to develop advanced technological solutions for the Basque business fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group, and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance aims to promote collaboration among its member centers, strengthen conditions for generating and transferring knowledge to companies to enhance their competitiveness, and project the scientific and technological capacity of the Basque Country internationally.

BRTA has a staff of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the R&D investment in Euskadi, records an annual turnover exceeding 300 million euros, and generates 100 European and international patents each year.

Spanish version