The 29 companies located in Espaitec have invested €3.279.811,24 in R&D&i, which represents an increase of 42% in resources allocated to research, development and innovation
podcast continues to promote technology and competitiveness among the business community. One of its main objectives is to continue being the hub reference technology, 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 details data related to billing, employability, investment in R&D&I, knowledge transfer and collaboration between university and company, among other aspects.
Companies and billing
At the end of the 2023 financial year, Espaitec had 29 technology firms installed in the Park and 21 linked. The total turnover of the former during the year amounted to 95.198.786,04 million euros. A fact that confirms the strength and competitiveness of the Espaitec companies, taking into account the international economic situation during the past year.
As for the sectors, considering the 50 established or linked companies, 49% stands out 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 sector of Innovative Services with 14,3%, integrating companies that operate in the audiovisual field or social innovation, among others. The sector of Energy and Environment occupies 16,3% of the activity; the one of Materials, Nanotechnology, Optics and Electronics, 6,1%, like the scope of the Industrial Technology, the sector of Marketing has a percentage of 2% and, finally, Biotechnology and Health represents 6,1%.
Investment in R&D&i
The investment in R&D&i of all the companies linked to the Park has exceeded 3 million euros, specifically €3.279.811,24. This figure represents an increase of 42%, compared to the figures reported by connected companies in 2022, in the resources allocated to research, development and innovation, the purpose of which is to improve their technological processes and increase their competitiveness.
Employment and hiring of university talent
A total of 464 people carry out their activity in the companies located in Espaitec, with 299 men and 165 women. Of the total number of workers, 35,12% carry out qualified employment tasks directly related to research, development and innovation. Regarding the hiring of university talent, during fiscal year 2023 the companies located hosted 45 students in curricular internships. As in previous years, the companies hired personnel who graduated from the Universitat Jaume I, a total of 41 graduates from the UJI.
Expansion: national and international presence
Regarding the presence of companies established in other territories, it should be noted that all of them have activity outside the province of Castellón. In addition, about 35% of the firms operate internationally in the following countries: Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, France, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, United States, Japan , United Kingdom and Switzerland. Also note that various Espaitec companies have headquarters in European and Asian countries, such as Switzerland, Belgium and Japan.
University-business transfer and collaboration
In 2023, Espaitec companies, installed and linked, collaborated with R&D groups of the Universitat Jaume I through 60 articles for an amount of 112.873 euros. The established companies collaborate with 8 UJI research groups, through specific contracts for the development of projects or regular collaborations, as well as regular collaboration in activities organized by the Universitat Jaume I, holding conferences, participating in workshops or teaching. master classes.
On the other hand, some of the companies in the Park have launched, together with the Universitat Jaume I, a total of 4 business chairs and classrooms. Specifically, the companies Facsa and Intur of Gimeno Group, and the UJI created the FACSA Chair of Innovation in the Integral Water Cycle, as well as the Intur Tourism Classroom respectively. For its part, the technological Four eighty constituted the Cuatroochenta Chair of Artificial Intelligence, Health and Wellbeing, and UBE Corporation Europe, founded the UBE Chair of Sustainable Plastics, both companies together with the Universitat Jaume I.
Business collaboration
One aspect worth highlighting is the increase in synergies generated between the companies linked to the Park in recent years, both in the collaboration between the Espaitec firms and the Castellón Global Program Business Club, the business growth and acceleration program through of innovation, and aimed at companies in the province of Castellón, promoted by Espaitec in collaboration with the Castellón Provincial Council. Also its presence on platforms such as Innotransfer, an initiative promoted by the Valencian Science Parks Network (rePCV), presenting technological challenges to be solved by university R&D groups.
Equality Plans
Highlight that 9 companies in the Park have launched their Equality Plan in 2023, in a negotiated manner between the company and the legal representation of the workforce, with the aim of taking the necessary measures to facilitate equal opportunities between women and men in companies.
Through equality plans, companies guarantee equal treatment and opportunities and advance their development within the organization. Thus, it is about implementing a set of policies, strategies, measures and practices aimed at promoting gender equality and avoiding any type of employment discrimination between women and men.
