The gala of the «VII rePCV Awards» was held on Friday 7 November in the Multipurpose Hall of the Espaitec 2 building of the Jaume I University of Castellón, an event that brought together prominent representatives from the public, academic and business sectors of the Valencia region. The event began with a welcome by Juan Antonio Bertolín, director of Espaitec; Francisco Javier Sogorb, deputy director general of Advance for the Digital Society and Artificial Intelligence GVA; and Pedro Carrasco, director of the University of Valencia Science Park (PCUV) and chairman of the Valencian Science Park Network. Bertolín has highlighted that it is an honor to welcome you, from Espaitec to this VII edition of the rePCV Awards, organized by the Valencian Network of Science Parks. Today we gather here to celebrate not only the awarded companies, but everything they represent: talent, courageous innovation, commitment to the environment and, above all, a way to make business with impact from the connection with public universities in Valencia».
For its part, Sogorb has highlighted the continued support to the projects promoted by the Valencian Science Park Network by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, and will continue to do so in the next financial year. Finally, Carrasco has put in value the work of the Valencian science parks to consolidate the technological and innovative ecosystem of our territory, such as the celebration of the rePCV Awards.
The «VII rePCV Awards» recognize the activity of initiatives linked to public universities, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in the Valencian Community, considering their growth, innovative character, business strategy and contribution to the environment.
The gala continued with the performance of Helena González, PhD in biomedicine and founder of Big Van Science, who has performed a scientific monologue with great doses of humor for the enjoyment of the public. Fran Chuan, an expert on the culture of innovation and authentic leadership, then gave a talk on the culture of business innovation and how it affects the development and progress of organizations and their leadership.
The event has advanced with a new performance by Helena González, who has presented a scientific monologue with humorous references about the companies nominated, which has been well received by attendees.
The event continued with the expected award ceremony, one prize and two runners-up for each of the three categories: «Spin-off», -Off, «Start-up», Start-up and «Business-University Partnership», together with the novelty of this edition, «Special mention innovation climate events»,
David Cabedo, Vice Rector Innovation, Transfer and Scientific Dissemination at UJI; and Francisco Javier Sogorb, Deputy Director-General of Avance for the Digital Society and Artificial Intelligence GVA, have presented the awards in the «Spin-off» category, receiving the award from Calpech SL, linked to the Science Park of the University of Alicante, and the accésits in Cebimat, linked to Espaitec, and Celentis SL, spin-off of the University of Valencia Science Park. The Calpech spin-off award has been picked up by Esteban Pelayo, manager of the Science Park of the University of Alicante, a spin-off that stands out for its transformation of agricultural waste into carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles, applied to biogas production, fertilizers and environmental decontamination solutions.
Pedro Carrasco, director of the PCUV and president of the rePCV, has put in value the work of the Valencian science parks to consolidate the technological and innovative ecosystem of our territory, such as the celebration of the rePCV Awards
The trophies in the «Start-up» category were then awarded by Juan Antonio Bertolín and Pedro Carrasco. The first prize went to Arkadia Space, represented by Adelina Balan, Marketing Manager. The company located in Espaitec was recognized for its developed technology that uses green fuels based on hydrogen peroxide, also known as hydrogen peroxide, which replace highly toxic and polluting, providing a safer and more sustainable alternative for the space sector. The accésits were for Dana Assist, start-up linked to the Science Park of the University Miguel Hernández of Elche, and Hydros Power, start-up of the Science Park of the University of Alicante.
The session continued with the presentation of the awards in the category «Business-University Collaboration» by Marisa Flor, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UJI; and Francisco Javier Sogorb, awarding the award to Sacyr SL, linked to the Science Park of the University of Alicante, and the deputies in Inteligencia Turística SL, linked to the University of Valencia Science Park, and Abervian, company linked to Espaitec. The award to Sacyr has been picked up by Domingo Zarzo, director of Strategic Projects of the company, which has highlighted being a leading company in integral water cycle management, specializing in financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of large water treatment projects internationally, in countries such as Spain, Australia, Chile, Algeria, Oman or Israel.
Don’t miss the interview with María Moreno (Inteligencia Turística) in our section "The companies of the Parc"
Finally, the «Special mention innovation climate events» has been awarded by Francisco Javier Sogorb to Innova Grid SL, a newly created company located in Espaitec. The award was given to David González, one of the company’s managers, who has distinguished himself for developing digital resilience systems and alternative energy, such as integrated power solutions and backup connectivity in domotic applications, Information and communication systems for individuals and companies.
It should be noted that the companies which have obtained the prize in each of the three categories and the recognition in the special mention will be entitled to a report/interview in the magazine Economia 3 about the winners and the gala of the «VII rePCV Awards», which will be published in January 2026.
To conclude, the event was concluded by David Cabedo, Vice Rector of Innovation, Transfer and Scientific Dissemination at UJI, who highlighted the role of science parks in the transfer and exchange of knowledge between university and society. Cabedo has stressed that the Parks and their companies are key actors for the development of the most disruptive innovations that arise, mostly, from the knowledge generated in research institutions, such as universities. The Vice-Rector has congratulated the companies that have been awarded and also highlighted the importance of the work that the Valencian science parks develop in a collaborative way, of which these awards are an example. Awards that highlight the importance of business-university collaboration in sustainable growth through innovation.
Do not miss the photo gallery of the "VII rePCV Awards"
The Valencian Network of Science Parks (rePCV) is an entity formed by the Polytechnic City of Innovation - Polytechnic University of Valencia, by the Miguel Hernández de Elche University Science Park, by the University of Valencia Science Park, by the Science Park of Alicante-University of Alicante and Espaitec, Science and Technology Park of the Jaume I University of Castellón.
The main objective of rePCV is to increase the wealth of the region, promote the culture of innovation and foster the competitiveness of companies and knowledge-generating institutions installed or associated with science parks. Also, promote the diversification and growth of a new entrepreneurial and industrial fabric, of quality, differentiated and committed to social responsibility policies.
Source: rePCV
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