Focus on Spain

Committed to ICT

The ICT sector has been one of the fastest growing sectors in Spain over the last decade and has become a mature sector where prestigious companies lead projects in international markets. “Not only does the software sector in Spain reveal a very diverse landscape,” Juana says, “but it is highly segmented with many SMEs struggling to stay in the market in a year that was quite complicated by COVID-19. But our commitment to the ICT sector is important. High connectivity and a qualified workforce in a diverse environment such as the EU make our country a good choice for ICT-based business projects. Consequently, the CDTI grants financial aid and facilitates access to third parties for the implementation of both national and international research and development projects. It also provides support to companies to develop in terms of international cooperation, for which it offers aid to innovation and technology transfer projects, its external network and multilateral cooperation projects, like Eureka and Iberoeka, as well as bilateral relations with Japan, China, South Korea, India, Brazil or Morocco, among others.”

Technology boost

According to the large Spanish ICT business associations, the forthcoming regulations and investment will allow the definitive boost of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the cloud, cybersecurity, the advancement of quantum computing, 5G connectivity and the digitalisation of SMEs. In terms of digital transformation, the laws and decrees that are due to be approved in Spain will usher a change in business and social fabric in record time. “We see the relevant Spanish business associations coming together in highlighting specific technological trends, and the relevant investment projects that already exist in Spain in the new technologies mentioned earlier.”

Aligned targets

“In the implementation of our internationalisation strategy for Spanish companies, Eureka is the main programme managed and financed by CDTI,” Juana explains. “The Eureka Clusters Programme, in particular, is considered a very interesting option for our companies and it is well known among our communities. It offers the flexibility our companies need and it is aligned with our national priorities. The Eureka Clusters Programme offers, on the one hand, the expert guide from its Board to experienced companies and, on the other hand, the thoughtful and valuable support for those inexperienced companies. ITEA, in particular, offers the additional support to our companies to stimulate the generation of RD&I project proposals where the whole value chain of the industry is involved. ITEA also provides strong support on improving the impact of each project, which is particularly important for us. CDTI is very well aligned with the Eureka Clusters Programme. Both have common goals from the perspective of supporting companies to succeed with their international cooperative project ideas.”