How can companies innovate more effectively? What role do public institutions and technology centres play in transforming an idea into an R&D&I project? These were some of the key questions addressed during the event "Public-Private Collaboration Strategies for Innovation as a Driver of Competitiveness", organised by ICECYL and La Gaceta de Salamanca.
The event brought together 15 representatives from companies across different sectors in the region to exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and discuss the opportunities created through collaboration between businesses and innovation stakeholders. The session was moderated by Augusto Cobos, Director General of ICECYL, and featured institutional participation from Susana Magdaleno, Director of La Gaceta de Salamanca, and Carmen Verdejo, Director of Innovation at ICECYL.
During the roundtable discussion, companies shared some of the main challenges they face when pursuing innovation, ranging from access to funding to the need for specialised partners capable of turning ideas into impactful solutions.
Representing AIR Institute, the only Technology Centre in the Salamanca region, Raúl García highlighted the essential role technology centres play in bridging the gap between research and industry.
"We want companies to see us as technology partners for developing R&D&I projects. In many cases, businesses identify a need or recognise an opportunity but are unaware that they can rely on a technology centre to transform that idea into an innovative project. Our goal is to support them throughout the entire process."
His intervention highlighted a reality that still exists within part of the business community: many organisations are not yet fully aware of the capabilities technology centres can offer or the collaboration opportunities available to help them develop innovation projects.
Events like this help close that gap, create new connections, and open the door to future partnerships. They also provide an invaluable opportunity to hear first-hand about the challenges companies face, enabling research and innovation activities to be better aligned with real market needs.
At AIR Institute, we work every day to bring innovation closer to industry by developing projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data spaces, quantum computing, and digital transformation. We firmly believe that innovation achieves its greatest impact when developed collaboratively and focused on solving real-world challenges.
We would like to thank ICECYL and La Gaceta de Salamanca for organising a forum that encourages dialogue between companies, public institutions, and technology centres. Creating spaces like this is essential for strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Castilla y León and continuing to promote projects that enhance the competitiveness of our regional businesses.