Innovation begins here

WE SUPPORT YOU AT EVERY STAGE

Successful entrepreneurs start with a great idea, but they need additional capabilities to help them grow their businesses. Let us connect you to a wealth of resources ready to help you at every step of your project's development—from the initial idea through development and market launch to the growth of your business.

Strategic Guidance

Whether you're just launching a project or want to accelerate its development in San Sebastian, we offer unique programs to help:

If you’ve decided that San Sebastián is the place for your project:

Connections Across Strategic Areas

We connect entrepreneurs with key players across a variety of relevant business and technology areas:

01. GASTRONOMY

GOE (Gastronomy Open Ecosystem)
Talento Gastro NEXT SS DCC
Basque Culinary Center
EKINN + Gastro ( Generational Change)

02. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

GOE (Gastronomy Open Ecosystem)
Talento Gastro NEXT SS DCC
Basque Culinary Center
EKINN + Gastro ( Generational Change)

03. TALENT

TALENT HOUSE - Reception Plan
FABRIKA - High Performance Center for the Cultural Transition of Organizations

04. ADVANCES SERVICES FOR THE INDUSTRY

Zuatzu Advance Services Pole

05. ELECTROMOBILITY

ELECTROMOBILITY HUB (Mubil, CIDETEC, Tecnalia, Vicomtech

06. INDUSTRIALIZATION OF SCIENCE

Biotech Foods
Vivebiotech
Viralgen

07. BIOSCIENCES

VIRALGEN
VIVEBIOTECH
Columbus Biotech HUB

08. SCIENTIFIC PARK EXPANSION

09. QUANTUM

IBM 6º world´s Quantum computer (IBM Euskadi Quantum Computacional Center IKERBASQUE building)
DIPC New building
Multiverse European leader in software quantum
Basque Quantum
Quantum TOWER
Quantum Motion (UK company)

10. ENERGY

HIDROGEN (Tecnalia) Pioneering Lab in Europe

11. ENTREPRENEURSHIP

EKINN development and attraction of entrepreneurial talent

12. EVENTS

Passion for knowledge / Donostia Innovation Week / Bioquity / SS Gastronomia / International Water Congress / Quantum Matters.

Access to Ecosystems and Networks

Our professional network not only spans industries, it spans geographies across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.

Local connections

01. EKINN community: Access to Fomento San Sebastián's contact network.
02. R&D and industry connections: Our connection services help you find contacts and opportunities within the San Sebastián R&D and industrial ecosystems.
03. Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) network: Offers diverse scientific and technology entrepreneurship initiatives and programs, as well as access to talent for technology-based startups.
04. Accelerators and incubators: EKINN can facilitate introductions to leading entrepreneurial organizations, including BIC Gipuzkoa, BIND, Berriup, Camara de Guipuzkoa, and EIT Food.

National and international connections

01. Fomento San Sebastián's International Network: Access to contacts for facilitating meetings, calls, and entry to other programs.
02. EKINN Entrepreneurship Summit: During this event, local projects connect with international ecosystems, such as Silicon Valley, Lisbon, Porto, Grenoble, Torino, or Espoo.
03. WeekINN: An annual flagship event that celebrates innovation in San Sebastián.
04. International events: Connect with global thought leaders at international events held in San Sebastián, such as BioEquity, SS Gastronomika, the Water Congress, and Quantum Matters.
05. Access to national organisations that promote R&D&I projects: Connect with key entities that support and fund research, development, and innovation initiatives.
06. Visits to international innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems: Discover leading global hubs in sectors such as biosciences, artificial intelligence, and more.

Access to Talent

Our talent pool is extraordinary. With 4 universities, 17 vocational training centres, and 52 schools, we have a large, highly educated talent pool.

30%

of higher education studies are in engineering.

Financial Support

EKINN offers several types of financial support and provides access to financial tools. Startups can potentially benefit from:

01. Grants of up to €20.000 to help you incorporate talent.
02. Funding to cover strategic expenses and accelerate growth.
03. Tech Transfer funding for technology projects of up to €15.500.
04. Financing tools for projects with growth potential:
Matching service with potential investors, Microcredits and Guarantee fund.

Tax Incentives

We also provide access to tax resources that support every stage of project development. These include patent boxes, R&D+I deductions, tax incentive for innovation, and 64BIS program.

Soft Landing Services

EKINN provides a warm welcome with soft landing services to make the move easier:

Talent House building for researchers, with 80 apartments.
EKINN building for entrepreneurs , with 70 apartments in the city centre.
Open spaces or meetings and collaboration.
Assistance with navigating visas, banking, schools, the local language, degree equivalences, and the city's sociocultural opportunities.
Family support through a guidance service to help project promoters’ partners find employment.

Why start a business in San Sebastián?

Recognised four times as a City of Science and Innovation by Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, San Sebastián stands out for its amazing range of cultural activities and quality of life.

With more than 15,800 companies, it is the third most business-dense city in Spain and a hub for pioneering projects in globally strategic sectors such as biosciences, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence.

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