The upward trend is consolidated with the creation of intensive R&D companies with the support of the main regional economic development agency, IDEPA.
On 1st December in Oviedo, the 24th Asturian Entrepreneurial Meeting took place, organised by IDEPA. During the event, the European Business and Innovation Centre (BIC Asturias) acknowledged the innovative research work undertaken by technology-based companies with an award ceremony.
The forum, held at the Hotel Reconquista, was an occasion to highlight the high level of business fabric in the field of research and innovation in Asturias, earning it a place, in the words of the Regional Minister for Employment, Industry and Tourism, Francisco Blanco “at the forefront of the market”.
With the highest degree of prosperity amongst new R&D+I-based businesses created in Asturias compared to the average, as well as the continuous creation of regional technology-based projects, this statement is well supported.
Attaining this level of technology and knowledge development in Asturias is made possible thanks to the entrepreneurs and researchers, universities and companies, and institutions that all support and promote this particular competency.
Within its organisation, Asturias has public mechanisms that drive forward knowledge and innovation. For example, thanks to the 2.1 million euros invested by IDEPA in actions and programmes, since 2012 over 30 innovative and technology-based business ideas and projects have been approved. It is expected that four million will be reached in global investment.
IDEPA does not just limit its support to regional business development by organising this type of meeting; it also aims to increasingly develop research and development in Asturian businesses. The money allocated to R&D action plans should be seen as an investment for strengthening the business fabric in the Asturian Principality, pushing all spheres of knowledge to the maximum over the coming years.
An example of these advances is that since 2000, BIC Asturias has driven forward the creation of over 270 technology-based businesses, of which 100 are highly innovative. Each year this institution acknowledges these projects and knowledge-transfer market initiatives with monetary prizes.
This year the winning companies were Nanovex, for the best technology-based project, and Aislamientos Suaval in the patents and utility models in Asturias category.
