Espaitec promotes the "Technological Map of the Province of Castellón", to identify, categorize and give visibility to innovative and technological companies in the territory, and create new avenues of cooperation to improve competitiveness through innovation
Currently, there are 163 innovative and technological companies throughout the province that are part of the "Technological Map of the Province of Castellón", an initiative promoted by Espaitec, the Scientific and Technological Park of the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló, with the support of the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI).
The main objective of the project is to give visibility to companies that are committed to innovation and technology, and connect them with the business ecosystem of Espaitec, and with the research environment of the Universitat Jaume I, offering services and collaboration opportunities in key sectors. : ICT; Industrial Technology; Marketing; Materials (Optics, Nanotechnology, Energy or Environment); Innovative Services; Biotechnology; Health; and Social Technology.
Espaitec has designed a work methodology, called Innovation Camp, to analyze the current technological situation and needs of companies, as well as the projects they develop, all based on the most relevant European indicators (ESI) that assess the degree of innovation and digitalization of Castellón companies. The results, in aggregate form, can be consulted on the website of the «Technological Map of the Province of Castellón».
Most innovative sectors
According to the data provided by the technology companies in the province of Castellón, and which stand out for their commitment to innovation, the ICT sector is the most representative with 31,01% of the total, followed by Industrial Technology with 25,32%. The rest of the sectors analyzed are Energy and Environment; Marketing; Materials/Optics/Nanotechnology; Innovative Services; Biotechnology and Health; and Social Technology.
Investment in R&D is another indicator that reflects the commitment of technology companies in the province of Castellón to innovation. The report indicates that the total investment in R&D was 54.701.131,01 euros. In addition, the companies also invested in equipment, machinery, acquisition of patents and licenses, with a total of 16.739.767,41 euros and an average of 105.948 euros per company.
Signatures from the province of Castellón in the market
One of the first reflections that the indicators of the "Technological Map of the Province of Castellón" show is the market positioning of technology companies, both at the regional, national, European and global level. The results show that the companies have a greater presence and recognition at the regional and national level than at the international level. Thus, 39% of companies have a prominent or leading position in the regional market and 26% in the national market, while only 11% have it in the European market and 7% in the global market.
The indicators also reveal an existing gender gap in innovative companies in Castellón. Thus, those relating to the gender of the people who manage and work in the participating companies indicate that only 6,07% of the companies are managed by women, compared to 93,5% by men.
Furthermore, the educational level by gender also reflects inequality, since women represent 28,07% of staff with non-university training, 35,13% of staff with university training, 31,67% of working doctors in the company, and 27,98% of the people who work in R&D.
Equality in R&D
Another relevant aspect in the "Technological Map of the Province of Castellón" is that of companies with an R&D department (69 in total). In this area, the gender gap is also notable, since there are only 169 women compared to 435 men. This represents 27,97% women and 72,03% men.
These data highlight the need to promote measures that encourage the participation and leadership of women in the technological and innovative sector of the province to promote equal opportunities and diversity in companies.
“Women Technologists: Fem STEM” Conference
The event will take place on October 3 «Women Technologists: Fem STEM», framed within the project, with the participation of the companies of the "Technological Map of the Province of Castellón", specifically the women technologists who work in the companies that are part of the initiative, taking into account their responsibilities and daily activity, within of the technological and innovation sectors.
It is worth highlighting the protagonism and active involvement that the STEM Degree students of the Universitat Jaume I will have during the session, with the aim of making visible the most relevant work of women technologists in the province of Castellón, as well as getting to know the companies and its values; motivating, raising awareness and encouraging, not only women in the academic field, but the entire university community, especially the students, and inspiring interest in these technological professions.
The "Technological Map of the Province of Castellón" is a useful tool to promote the transfer of knowledge and cooperation between innovative and technological companies in the province, and to boost their competitiveness and growth.