The Association of Science and Technology Parks in Spain (APTE) has presented activity data for the year 2024 for companies and entities located in the 53 parks that make up the association, including the Science Park University of Valencia (PCUV). The presentation took place during its second annual General Assembly, held at GEOLIT, Science and Technology Park located in Jaén, within the framework of the 25th anniversary of the park.
The figures reflect sustained growth in all indicators compared to the previous year, consolidating the role of these areas as engines of innovation and economic development.
One of the highlights of 2024 is the significant increase in investment in Research and Development (R&D), which reached 2,116.89 million euros, 24% more than in 2023 and approximately 9.5% of the national total. The turnover of companies and entities installed in the parks stood at 31,576 million euros, with a growth of 9.2%, showing solid economic activity.
Second annual General Assembly of APTE, held at GEOLIT, Science and Technology Park located in Jaén. Photo: APTE
The number of enterprises and entities located in the parks was 6,000, an increase of 1.6 per cent over the previous year. This positive development reflects the parks' ability to attract and retain talent and innovative projects.
In terms of employment, the parks registered a total of 168,462 professionals, an increase of 4.4 per cent. Within this group, 42,170 people are engaged in R & D activities, representing a growth of 9.1%, highlighting the growing concentration of specialized talent in these environments.
Gender equality is also gaining prominence: 790 companies are run by women, representing 24.5% of the total, according to data provided by 40 parks. In addition, 1,175 companies have equality plans, which is 26.3% of the total, according to data from 35 parks.
In terms of activity, the sectoral diversity of the parks remains one of their strengths. The information, informatics and telecommunications sectors lead with 24% of activity, followed by engineering, consulting and consultancy (17%) and medicine and health (7%).
Gender equality is also gaining prominence: 790 companies are run by women, representing 24.5% of the total, according to data provided by 40 parks. In addition, 1,175 companies have equality plans, which is 26.3% of the total, according to data from 35 parks
These results confirm the key role of science and technology parks in the Spanish entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem, acting as true catalysts for economic and social development.
APTE has also taken advantage of its Assembly to hold a round table on actions that parks can develop under the new Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law. Participants: Carles Fillat, head of business campus at Tecnocampus Mataro Maresme Foundation , Belén Talavera, responsible for projects in FUNDECYT-PCTEx and Javier Taibo, director general of the Tecnolóxico Park of Galicia - Tecnópole.
The discussion highlighted the role of parks as facilitators in the transition to a more sustainable, innovative and energy-ready industry. From Galicia, the importance of moving towards energy independence through renewable sources was stressed. In Extremadura, infrastructure for energy storage is being promoted, which is key to hosting new consumer-intensive industries.
In Catalonia, projects such as Reimagine Textil, which promote the circular economy and the connection with local suppliers, and other initiatives linked to environmental and social sustainability were presented. Experiences were also shared such as the project of the Scientific - Technological Park of Almería (PITA) that promotes synergies between companies in terms of circular economy (energy, water, materials).
Participants agreed that parks can be spaces where good practices are generated and shared, replicable by the industrial fabric, such as collective self-consumption solutions, sustainable mobility or reuse of resources
Participants agreed that parks can be spaces where good practices are generated and shared, replicable by the industrial fabric, such as solutions for collective self-consumption, sustainable mobility or reuse of resources.
The training and attraction of talent is emerging as another key axis. The gap between training provision and the real needs of industry was pointed out, and how parks can serve as a bridge between companies and universities to define new occupational profiles in areas such as digitisation. Malaga TechPark, for example, has working groups in which companies define the required profiles and collaborate with the university to design adapted training programmes.
In addition, the association has announced the addition of a new affiliate member: the Technological Science Park of La Rioja (TECHRIOJA), bringing the total number of members to 61, and has presented the APTE 2025 Directory, a publication that provides a detailed overview of the impact and contributions of these ecosystems to the Spanish economy and society.
Source: APTE
