- The company strengthens its presence in a region characterised by strong economic dynamism while facing the challenge of increasing the share of business investment in R&D
Zabala Innovation has opened its new headquarters in Málaga, reinforcing its commitment to Andalusia and its proximity to one of Spain’s most dynamic business and technology ecosystems. The new office has been established to support companies, institutions and knowledge-based organisations in developing their innovation and investment strategies, projects and access to national and European public funding.
This launch comes amidst economic growth in Andalusia, which ended 2025 with a GDP of 234,218 million euros and real growth of 3.2 per cent, compared with 2.8 per cent for Spain as a whole. However, Andalusia has room for improvement when it comes to channelling this momentum into business innovation: in 2024, businesses accounted for 37.56 per cent of regional R&D expenditure, compared with the Spanish average of 56.01 per cent.
For Zabala Innovation, this scenario presents an excellent opportunity to combine Andalusia’s high scientific and technological capacity with greater knowledge transfer, technological investment and business scaling.
Málaga is a flourishing tech ecosystem
Having opted for Málaga reflects the remarkable growth its technology and business ecosystem has experienced in recent years. Málaga TechPark concluded 2025 with 29,018 employees and a turnover of 4,896 million euros, plus an increase of 17.11 per cent on the previous year. Furthermore, its companies and institutions invested over 255 million euros in R&D, with a 36.2 per cent increase.
This dynamism, combined with growing investment and strategic projects linked to sectors such as digital content and semiconductors, is consolidating Málaga’s position as a technology centre with a growing national and international profile.
QUOTE FROM ERIK ZABALA, CEO OF ZABALA INNOVATION
“Málaga brings together many of the elements needed to take a new leap forward in innovation: scientific capacity, talent, technology companies, investment and a clear international focus. We want to be close to this ecosystem to help turn these abilities into new projects, investment and business growth, by linking strategy, innovation and funding”.
A commitment that reflects Zabala Innovation’s growth in Andalusia
The opening of the office also reflects the expansion of Zabala Innovation’s activities in the region. The company, already present in Seville, has seen steady growth over the last four years in Málaga and Granada, which currently account for around 30 per cent of its business in Andalusia, working with companies, public entities and other knowledge-based organisations.
The new office, headed by Daniel García, will enable the company to strengthen these relationships and provide practical support to organisations in the Málaga–Granada corridor
QUOTE FROM DANIEL GARCÍA, DIRECTOR FOR ANDALUSIA AT ZABALA INNOVATION
“Andalusia possesses extraordinary scientific and technological capabilities. The next challenge is to ensure that an ever-increasing proportion of that knowledge translates into technology transfer, business investment and projects capable of scaling up. Málaga is making particularly quick progress in this direction, and we want to help accelerate this process from within the region.
Málaga’s ecosystem takes the spotlight at the opening ceremony
About thirty representatives from the business, academic and institutional sectors gathered at The Green Ray for the opening of the new headquarters.
The event featured a discussion entitled “Funding, strategy and innovation to boost the Málaga ecosystem”, with the participation of F. Javier López
Muñoz, Vice-Chancellor for Technological Innovation and Strategic Projects at the University of Málaga, and Clara Galvez, Director of Control and Procurement at Málaga TechPark, moderated by Daniel García.
Focus was placed on knowledge transfer and the need to strengthen the links between the various stakeholders in the ecosystem. Participants agreed that it is not enough just to gather together businesses, the university, public authorities and innovation stakeholders; rather, it is necessary to facilitate their interaction, bridge the gaps in their languages and objectives, and encourage the knowledge generated to be transformed into new business initiatives and solutions that reach the market.
In this regard, emphasis was placed on the role of organisations capable of bridging these fields and supporting the process from R&D through to business application, as well as the creation of start-ups from within universities and the technology sector as a means of bringing these two worlds closer together. During the meeting, Erik Zabala summed it up by saying: ‘without VAT, there is no innovation’, emphasising that innovation cannot complete its cycle unless the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge ultimately translates into products and solutions that reach the market.
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, who highlighted…
QUOTE FROM MR FRANCISCO DE LA TORRE, Mayor of Málaga
“Málaga is home to the four pillars of the quadruple helix — universities, businesses, public authorities and civil society — but it is not enough for them merely to be present: they must interact with one another. This connection enables the transfer of knowledge, the generation of new projects and the journey from research and development right through to products reaching the market. The incorporation of Zabala Innovation into Málaga’s ecosystem can help to strengthen these links and foster new initiatives that benefit the city.”
National and international growth
The opening of the Málaga office comes at a time of significant growth for Zabala Innovation. In recent years, the company has expanded its operations through its presence in Portugal, the incorporation of Proyecta Innovación and its Alcoy office, and, more recently, its entry into Poland via the incorporation of ECDF.
The company now employs over 670 professionals specialising in innovation and public funding. The new Málaga office thus joins a network that combines international capabilities with a local presence and expertise.
The opening also marks the 40th anniversary of Zabala Innovation, which was founded in 1986.