The 27 firms located in the Scientific and Technological Park of the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló, employ 446 people, of which 120 are graduates of the UJI, which represents 26,9% of the total workforce.
podcast, managed by the General Foundation of the Jaume I University, continues to strengthen its annual growth. One of its main objectives is to continue being the reference technological hub, promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and the transfer of knowledge in the society of the province of Castellón.
Espaitec monitors the companies in the Park through a series of indicators, which detail data related to billing, employment, knowledge transfer and collaboration between university and company.
Companies and billing
At the end of the 2022 financial year, Espaitec had 27 companies installed in the park. Their total turnover during the year amounted to 104,42 millones de euros, a figure that represents an increase of around 27% compared to the turnover for fiscal year 2021, confirming the growing trend of recent years. Another aspect to highlight is the investment in R&D, exceeding 2 million euros, specifically €2.308.134,37, made by the group of firms installed in the Park.
Regarding the sectors, considering the 47 companies installed or linked virtually, the information and telecommunications technologies (ICT) stands out with 48,9%, a sector in which all types of services are offered, from solutions based on the blockchain or the Internet of Things (IoT), to projects industrial digitalization or application development. Regarding the innovative services sector (12,8%), with companies that operate in the audiovisual field or social innovation, among others. The energy and environment sector occupies 14,9% of the activity; materials, nanotechnology, optics and electronics, 8,5%, as well as industrial technology, the marketing sector has a percentage of 2,1% and, finally, biotechnology and health represents 4,3% each.
Employment and hiring of university talent
A total of 446 people carry out their activity in the companies installed in the Park, being 313 men and 133 women. Of the total number of workers, 17,93% carry out qualified employment activities directly related to research and development.
Regarding the hiring of university talent, during fiscal year 2022 the firms installed They welcomed 52 students in internships, both through the UJI Office of Professional Integration and Internships (OIPEP) and the Universitat Jaume I Foundation – Company (FUE-UJI). As in previous years, the companies hired UJI graduates who completed internships at Espaitec companies and, currently, 446 workers, 120 are university graduates, which represents 26,9% of the total workforce.
Expansion: national and international presence
Regarding the presence of companies established in other territories, it is worth noting that more than 90% have activity outside the province of Castellón. In addition, about 30% of the firms operate internationally in the following countries: Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, United States y Switzerland. It should also be noted that various Espaitec companies have headquarters in European countries such as Switzerland o Belgium.
University-business transfer and collaboration
In 2022, companies linked to Espaitec, installed and virtual, collaborated with R&D groups from the Universitat Jaume I through articles 83 for an amount of 163.497 euros. The established companies collaborate with 8 UJI research groups through specific contracts for the development of projects or regular collaborations. Furthermore, the firms installed in the park regularly collaborate with activities organized by the Universitat Jaume I, holding conferences, participating in workshops or teaching master's classes.
Business collaboration
48,14% of the installed companies collaborate with other Espaitec firms both in the development of joint projects and in providing specific services or organizing events such as Hackathon Castellón. It is worth highlighting how the synergies between the companies have increased in recent years, as well as the collaboration between the Espaitec firms and the Castellón Global Program Business Club, the business growth and acceleration program aimed at firms in the province of Castellón promoted by podcast in collaboration with Diputación de Castellón.
