- More than fifty international executives explored the thriving innovation ecosystem and imec’s future semiconductor centre at an exclusive event hosted as part of the Optica Global Photonics Economic Forum 2026
Málaga TechPark brought together more than fifty international executives from the photonics and microelectronics sectors, alongside leading institutional figures at local, regional and national levels, for an exclusive high-level forum held as part of the Optica Global Photonics Economic Forum 2026, which is taking place at FYCMA on 24th and 25th of September.
The day’s events began with an in-depth tour of the technopolis’s facilities, showcasing its highly competitive model to foreign investors, underpinned by a strong public-private partnership. During the forum, global leaders saw how the facility stands out as the ideal strategic partner for the development of high-impact deep tech projects, establishing itself as the leading destination for high-return investment across the southern European arc.
Key institutional figures spoke at the forum, detailing the ecosystem’s comprehensive value proposition. Also, Lourdes Cruz, Director of Business Development and Investment Promotion at Málaga TechPark, welcomed the attendees, emphasising the site’s firm commitment to four major technological areas: photonics, quantum technology, artificial intelligence and microelectronics.
Cruz emphasised in her speech that the technopolis is working intensively to build a sturdy ecosystem around these critical areas, a scenario that represents an outstanding opportunity for global industry.
Also, José María García Orois, the Executive Director of Business Development at the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT) and a public entity attached to the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, analysed the thriving innovation landscape in Spain. He highlighted the enormous qualitative leap that the Semiconductor R&D Centre, built by imec at the Malaga technology park, will represent.
The Spanish Government has invested 500 million euros in this major infrastructure project through the SETT; this is a key element of the national and European semiconductor strategy, which forms part of the Government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, within the framework of the PERTE Chip programme and the European Next Generation funds. This facility will house 60 advanced processing machines to enable research and prototyping of microchips, representing a total investment of 267 million euros, financed by #ERDF funds, of which 150 million come specifically from #STEP funds managed by SETT under the 2021–2027 ERDF Multi-regional Programme for Spain. #EuropaSeSiente
Javier López, Vice-Chancellor for Technological Innovation at the University of Málaga, then outlined the vital link between the academic world and the business sector. López outlined the UMA innTech initiative, a tool designed to promote innovation and technological cooperation in close collaboration with Málaga TechPark, whilst also examining the university’s innovative role and the workings of the co-innovation laboratory launched in partnership with Innova IRV.
Next, Marco D’Arcangelo, Senior Project Manager for Foreign Investment at Andalucia TRADE, highlighted the region’s spectacular economic growth, driven by the arrival of numerous multinational technology companies, and concluded with a clear message to international investors: ‘For a guaranteed win, invest in Andalusia’.
The institutional panel was rounded off by Marc Sanderson, a representative of Málaga Open for Business at Málaga City Council, who highlighted the city’s undeniable appeal as a location for new projects, and by Helio Fernández, Head of Institutional Relations at imec Spain, who provided further details on the multinational’s ambitious microelectronics complex at Málaga TechPark.
Guided tour of Málaga TechPark
Before the discussion session, the delegation was given an in-depth tour of Málaga’s technology park, where they were able to see first-hand the pioneering infrastructure the site has to offer. During the guided tour, much attention was focused on the milestone represented by the arrival of imec’s new semiconductor R&D centre. During the guided tour, the focus was on the milestone represented by the arrival of imec’s new semiconductor R&D centre. This strategic project positions Málaga TechPark at the forefront of key technologies on an international level and enables it to lead the new wave of innovation in the field of microelectronics.
By organising this type of business forum, the technopolis reaffirms its position as the leading technology and multi-sector hub for high-return investment in southern Europe. Visitors have been introduced to a highly competitive model that goes beyond the traditional concept of a business park to establish itself as a comprehensive ecosystem. In this regard, Málaga TechPark guarantees an unbeatable environment where qualified global talent, particularly that of the younger generations, is not forced to choose between a top-tier professional career and a lifestyle of excellence. This unique value proposition makes it easier to attract and retain professionals in critical, high-impact fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum technology.
This entire innovation ecosystem is underpinned by a highly established business community, making the park an indispensable economic driver at both regional and national levels. Málaga TechPark is currently home to more than 700 companies, which generate an annual turnover in excess of 4.8 billion euros and employ more than 29,000 highly qualified professionals. Furthermore, this dynamism is not confined to its original physical site, but extends its global innovation network through strategic locations in the city of Antequera and at the University of Málaga itself, whilst also benefiting from comprehensive connectivity with the infrastructure of the Costa del Sol and the Guadalhorce Valley. In this way, the Málaga tech park demonstrates its capacity to host the most demanding projects and shape the technological future of Europe.