Spain’s autonomous regions explore how to drive knowledge transfer and territorial impact at Transfiere 2026

From the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín Tavío highlighted how the archipelago is consolidating its position as an Atlantic innovation hub, supported by strategic areas such as the blue economy, aerospace, water and energy. She also highlighted the role of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, leadership in efficient desalination and the use of the territory as a natural laboratory for international scientific projects.

Representing the Community of Madrid, Marina Villegas Gracia noted that although Madrid already leads in innovation, the goal is to go further in knowledge transfer by scaling technology companies through collaboration between large corporations, SMEs and research centres, supported by sector clusters and talent-attraction programmes such as the Gabriela Morreale programme linked to the IMDEA institutes.

For the Valencian Government, Juan José Cortés Vélez argued that innovation is now the new way to compete. The Valencian strategy rests on three pillars: developing talent and opportunities, providing infrastructure for effective transfer, and pursuing innovation that delivers economic and social returns, with technology institutes acting as the “R&D&I departments” of SMEs.

From Galicia, Carmen Cotelo Queijo focused on talent as the main asset of the Galician ecosystem, highlighting programmes such as Oportunius, industrial doctorates and sustained investment in biotechnology, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Galicia is moving “from scientific tradition towards cross-cutting innovation”, supported by technology centres, clusters such as BIOGA and anchor companies.

Catalonia presented a strategy based on consistency and the real impact of policy instruments. Lourdes Puigbarraca described a multilevel governance model coordinating research centres, universities, hubs and companies, supported by stronger transfer offices (OTCs), calls targeting higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 6–8) and the early integration of companies into scientific projects.