- The strategic significance of this meeting is even further heightened as it coincides with the €9.6 million injection that the company from Barcelona has just received from the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT)
Málaga TechPark continues to consolidate its position as the leading innovation ecosystem in southern Europe for the development of cutting-edge technologies and the attraction of high-return investment. Against this backdrop, the technology park has hosted an official visit from the quantum computing company Qilimanjaro, led by its chief executive, Marta Estarellas, and its director of business development, Jesús Huertas.
The strategic significance of this meeting is all the more pronounced as it coincides with the €9.6 million injection the company has just received from the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT). This institutional financial backing underlines the technopolis’s ability to attract highly capitalised companies and to be the preferred location for the key players who will shape the global technological future and critical European technologies.
This leadership has been definitively reinforced by the milestone represented by imec’s arrival at the Park to spearhead a new wave of innovation linked to microelectronics. This major infrastructure, in which the Spanish Government has invested 500 million euros through the SETT, and which also benefits from investment by the Regional Government of Andalusia and Málaga City Council, bringing the total to over 600 million, is key to the national and European semiconductor strategy, included in the Government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, within the framework of the PERTE Chip 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 this total, 150 million comes specifically from #STEP funds managed by SETT under the 2021–2027 ERDF Multi-regional Programme for Spain, whilst the remaining amount corresponds to investment by the Regional Government of Andalusia through the 2021–2027 ERDF Programme for Andalusia, managed by the Andalusian administration. #EuropaSeSiente.
A global ecosystem
The institutional agenda for the Qilimanjaro delegation’s visit highlighted the strength of the local innovation network and its close links with various organisations, showcasing the value of intangible assets in generating business. The morning began at Málaga City Council’s Digital Content Hub, where the delegation held a working meeting with its director, Raúl Silleras.
Afterwards, the delegation travelled to the Málaga TechPark headquarters in order to explore in greater depth the opportunities and certainties that this well-established ecosystem offers to pioneering international companies. The delegation was later welcomed by Lourdes Cruz, Director of Investment Attraction at the technology park; Natalia Pérez, Director of Communication and Innovation; and Javier López, Vice-Rector for Technological Innovation at the University of Málaga and Director of the UMA innTech office. This working group was also joined by Manuel Blázquez, CTO of the Innova IRV Foundation, demonstrating the strong structural alliance between university, business and public institutions.
The tour drew particular attention to the development of quantum technology and the associated critical infrastructure. These are strategic and essential areas for the sustained growth of Málaga TechPark.
In this regard, Qilimanjaro’s executives also held meetings with representatives from Quantums Labs, specifically with its Chief Executive, Javier Romero, and its Chief Technology Officer, Emilio Alba.
The scientific immersion and knowledge transfer continued at the University of Málaga’s Biocomputing Building under the guidance of Emilio Zapata, director of the SCBI. Finally, the delegation explored the demanding challenges posed by advanced cybersecurity and certification at Dekra’s headquarters, where they were received by the executive vice-president, Fernando Hardasmal, and the head of cybersecurity research and development, Anders Möller.
A multi-sectoral catalyst
Through these kinds of deep tech partnerships of the highest calibre, Málaga TechPark proves itself to be much more than a traditional physical space, and is establishing the image of a comprehensive, leading-edge environment where professional development goes hand in hand with an unbeatable quality of life, designed to attract and retain young, specialised global talent.
Currently, the site acts as a powerful multisectoral economic catalyst, home to more than 715 companies, which collectively generate an annual turnover in excess of 4.8 billion euros. These companies also support a solid talent network comprising more than 29,000 highly qualified professionals.
Thanks to these operational figures and its strategic vision, Málaga TechPark stands as the undisputed destination for the deployment of complex technologies and the establishment of international companies that will lead the new wave of European innovation.