- With the deployment of critical infrastructures, a turnover exceeding €4.8 billion and the imminent arrival of Europe’s most advanced quantum computer, the Málaga-based technology park is establishing itself as a global innovation hub
Málaga TechPark and the University of Málaga, through the UMA innTech Office, are advancing towards their goal of becoming the most influential and cutting-edge technology innovation and development hub in Southern Europe. Beyond the physical space of the business complex itself, the Park encompasses a comprehensive, dynamic and exceptional ecosystem that extends throughout the province of Málaga and aims to become a magnet for global talent. Today, Málaga TechPark is home to 719 companies, generating a combined annual turnover of more than €4.8 billion and employing over 29,000 professionals.
In the current era of technological dominance, Málaga TechPark is strengthening its close alliance with UMA innTech, the University of Málaga’s office within the Park, which acts as the perfect catalyst for effective knowledge transfer from university research groups to the powerful corporate ecosystem. Within this specific context, quantum computing has emerged as the technology park’s new major driving force, a sector that has taken centre stage throughout much of the year in Málaga’s technology landscape.
Quantum leadership
Málaga TechPark is set to achieve a historic milestone by housing the ORIGIN WUKONG quantum computer at the University of Málaga’s Supercomputing and Bioinformatics Centre (SCBI). Operated by the Spanish-owned company Quantum Labs, this infrastructure will be equipped with 431 qubits, breaking existing records and exceeding by almost 50% the processing capacity of the most advanced system based on the same technology currently operating anywhere in Europe.
Furthermore, this outstanding technological asset will operate in close collaboration with the Picasso supercomputer, which has recently received €3.2 million in FEDER funding to multiply its high-speed storage capacity to the petabyte scale and incorporate new ultra-powerful nodes dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence processing. These technological milestones are underpinned by the strength of the Quant·UMA initiative and the research groups promoted through UMA innTech.
This technical potential has already impressed global industry during the “Presentation Day of Málaga’s Quantum Ecosystem: Innovation, Capabilities and Opportunities”, a high-level strategic summit jointly organised at the Park by Málaga TechPark and UMA innTech. The event brought together the companies and public institutions with the strongest presence in today’s technological landscape.
During these sessions, experts such as Javier Delgado from the State Secretariat for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, and Jorge Fernández from Bullnet Capital, highlighted that venture capital plays a vital role in driving the growth of deep-tech startups within this fertile and secure ecosystem. In addition, industry leaders such as Quside demonstrated the importance of critical infrastructures in ensuring quantum sovereignty, while multinational companies such as Dekra showcased their innovative testing and certification capabilities to address upcoming challenges in civil and military security.
As Felipe Romera, director of Málaga TechPark, explained, the Park is taking these technologies to an unprecedented level, providing a powerful boost that goes beyond the traditional concept of a technology park and consolidating its position as a leading global reference in disruptive technologies. This vision is supported by Javier López, director of UMA innTech and Vice-Rector for Technological Innovation and Strategic Projects, who reaffirmed the importance of bringing together all stakeholders, including investors, to guarantee the success of this complex future.
More cutting-edge technology
Málaga TechPark’s ambition knows no boundaries, and its qualitative leap forward in computing infrastructures is developing in parallel with growth in the microelectronics and semiconductor sectors. The unwavering strength of the technology hub has been a determining factor in securing the arrival of the research and prototyping centre of the prestigious imec institute. The first construction works for this project have already been awarded, with a value of €168 million, supported by regional government funding of €131 million.
This driving effect has led to the emergence of new assets, such as the opening of Núcleo, an innovative hub promoted by Málaga City Council and equipped with more than 26 offices dedicated exclusively to incubating semiconductor startups that will shape the future of this sector. At the same time, university-born innovation ventures such as AGPhotonics, as well as multinational giants such as ESTEL, have secured multimillion-euro investments to expand their laboratories and photonic chip production lines in strategic buildings across Málaga TechPark.
Looking ahead, Málaga TechPark continues to promote advanced training programmes to prepare its local ecosystem while participating in leading international events. Among the most notable are those taking place this September, including the prestigious European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) and the Global Photonics Economic Forum.
Through unwavering public-private partnerships, the provision of high-value services and the integration of international innovation networks (direct connections to more than 200 cities worldwide), Málaga TechPark is therefore emerging not merely as a growing technology hub, but as the definitive ecosystem: the only global setting where startups and multinational corporations can access the infrastructure and talent required to lead Europe’s industrial future.