The 46 companies linked to Espaitec increase their turnover by almost 18% compared to 2023.
podcast continues to drive technology and competitiveness among the business community. Its main objective is to strengthen its position as hub technological benchmark and promote entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge transfer in the society of the province of Castellón.
The Science and Technology Park of the Universitat Jaume I monitors the companies linked to Espaitec through a series of indicators detailing data related to investment in R&D&I, turnover, employability, knowledge transfer, and collaboration between universities and companies, among other aspects.
Investment in R&D&i
The R&D&I investment of the companies linked to Espaitec has exceeded 5,4 million euros, specifically 5.439.096,25 euros, a figure that represents an increase of 65,83% compared to the data obtained from the companies linked to the Park in 2023, in the resources allocated to research, development and innovation, the purpose of which is to improve their technological processes and increase their competitiveness.
Companies and billing
At the end of the 2024 financial year, Espaitec had 46 technology companies linked to the Park, 31 established, and 15 virtually connected to the Universitat Jaume I's innovative and technological ecosystem. The total turnover of the established companies amounted to €111,965.845,30 million, a 2023% increase compared to 17,61. This figure confirms the resilience, strength, and competitiveness of Espaitec companies, taking into account the international economic situation last year.
Regarding the sectors, of the 46 companies linked to Espaitec, the sector stands out with 50%. Information and Telecommunications Technologies (ICT), a sector in which all types of services are offered, from solutions based on blockchain or the Internet of Things (IoT), to industrial digitalization projects or application development. The sectors of Innovative Services, companies operating in the audiovisual or social innovation sector; the Energy and Environment; Industrial Technology y Biotechnology and Health which represents 10,9%. Finally, the sector of Materials, Nanotechnology, Optics and Electronics occupies 4,3% of the activity, together with Marketing with a percentage of 2,2%.
Employment and hiring of university talent
A total of 471 people work in the companies located there, of whom 333 are men and 138 are women. 174 workers perform skilled employment tasks directly related to research, development, and innovation, representing 36,94%. Regarding the recruitment of university talent, during 2024, the companies associated with Espaitec hosted 91 students for curricular internships. Also noteworthy is the recruitment of graduates from the Universitat Jaume I, with a total of 76 graduates joining the companies in the Park.
Expansion: national and international presence
Regarding the international presence of companies linked to the Park, it should be noted that all companies operate outside of Spain. Furthermore, more than 35% of the companies operate internationally in the following countries: Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, France, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, the United States, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Several Espaitec companies also have headquarters in European and Asian countries, such as Switzerland, Belgium, and Japan.
University-business transfer and collaboration
In 2024, companies linked to Espaitec collaborated with research groups at the Universitat Jaume I for a total of €700.363, through 45 Article 60 R&D&I contracts that regulate collaboration between the university and the business sector. The companies collaborate with 11 research groups at the UJI, through specific contracts for project development or regular collaborations, as well as regular collaboration in activities organized by the Universitat Jaume I, through conferences, workshops, or master's classes.
Furthermore, some of the Park's companies, together with the Universitat Jaume I, created a total of three business chairs and classrooms. Specifically, the Gimeno Group's companies FACSA and INTUR created the FACSA Chair of Integrated Water Cycle Innovation and the INTUR Tourism Classroom, respectively. Meanwhile, UBE Corporation Europe and the University of Madrid (UJI) founded the UBE Chair of Sustainable Plastics.
Business collaboration
One aspect worth highlighting is the increase in synergies generated between companies linked to the Park in recent years, both in the collaboration between Espaitec companies and the Business Club Castellón Global Program, a business growth and acceleration program through innovation, aimed at companies in the province of Castellón, promoted by Espaitec in collaboration with the Castellón Provincial Council. Its presence on platforms such as Innotransfer, an initiative promoted by the Network of Valencian Science Parks (rePCV), which presents technological challenges to be solved by university R&D&I groups.
equality plans
A total of 19 companies in the Park will have an Equality Plan in place by 2024, through a negotiated action between the company and the legal representatives of the workforce, with the aim of taking the necessary measures to facilitate equal opportunities between women and men within the company. Through equality plans, companies guarantee equal treatment and opportunities and advance their development within the organization. The plan involves implementing a set of policies, strategies, measures, and practices aimed at promoting gender equality and avoiding any type of workplace discrimination between women and men.
