Companies in the science and technology parks belonging to APTE set a turnover record in 2025

The Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE) has released the main 2025 activity figures for the companies and entities located in its 53 member parks. The data were presented during the association’s second Annual General Assembly, held at the Walqa Technology Park in Huesca.

The 2025 results confirm the positive evolution of these innovation ecosystems, strengthening their contribution to economic growth, the creation of skilled employment, and the promotion of R&D in Spain. Improvements recorded in indicators such as turnover, employment, R&D investment, foreign companies, incubation, and patents demonstrate the parks’ ability to attract innovative business activity and consolidate themselves as strategic spaces for the competitiveness of the productive fabric.

One of the most notable figures for 2025 is the strong increase in turnover of the companies and entities located in the parks, which reached €38,597 million, representing growth of more than 22% compared with 2024. Likewise, investment in Research and Development (R&D) rose to €2,333.65 million, 10% higher than in the previous financial year.

The number of companies and entities located in APTE member science and technology parks stood at 6,282 at the end of 2025, representing an increase of almost 5% compared with the previous year. This positive trend reflects the capacity of these ecosystems to attract new business initiatives, consolidate innovative projects, and promote knowledge-based economic activity.

In terms of employment, the parks recorded a total of 189,969 professionals, an increase of 12.8% compared with 2024. Within this group, 45,092 people are engaged in R&D activities, representing growth of 7%, highlighting the growing concentration of specialised talent in these environments.

The innovative activity of the parks is also reflected in other key indicators. In 2025, 597 patents were granted and 502 patents were filed, with increases of 11% and 9% respectively. In addition, the parks hosted 480 foreign-owned companies, 22% more than in 2024, and 1,071 incubated companies, 31% more than the previous year.

During 2025, a total of 1,818 new companies were recorded, including both companies established within the parks and those newly located there, representing an increase of 121% compared with 2024. Of these, 329 were companies founded within the parks, a rise of 46%, and 1,489 companies were established in these spaces, 149% more than in the previous financial year.

Gender equality continues to be an area of monitoring within park activity. According to data provided by 40 parks, 772 companies and entities are led by women, representing 18% of the total companies in those parks. Likewise, 1,321 companies and entities have equality plans, equivalent to 31.5% of the total, according to data provided by 39 parks.

In terms of activity, sectoral diversity remains one of their main strengths. The information, computing and telecommunications sectors lead with 23.6% of activity, followed by engineering, consultancy and advisory services with 18.9%, and medicine and health with 8.3%. Also noteworthy are agri-food and biotechnology (6.1%), industrial (5.4%), energy and environment (5.1%), and technology centres and R&D (4.5%).

These results reaffirm the key role of science and technology parks within Spain’s business and innovation ecosystem, acting as hubs connecting companies, universities, technology centres, public administrations, and specialised talent.

APTE has also used the occasion of its General Assembly in Walqa to present the new Executive Committee of the association, which will continue to be chaired by Felipe Romera and will comprise 15 members from 10 autonomous communities. New members of the Committee include Carlos Ortas, Managing Director of Walqa Technology Park; Miren Bilbao, Manager of the Euskadi Technology Park – Araba; and José Luis Vega, Head of Promotion at the Avilés Isla de la Innovación Science and Technology Park.

In addition, the APTE Directory 2026 was presented during the Assembly, a publication containing information about the association’s members and the science and technology parks currently existing in Spain. The document is now available for download.

The day also included a programme of activities focused on some of the main current challenges and opportunities facing innovation ecosystems, including a panel discussion on the impact of data centres on the economy, a meeting of the APTE Network of Technicians, and a guided visit to Podoactiva and the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation.

A workshop from the European project 3D-Circular was also held during the day, entitled “Progress and the role of APTE member parks”, aimed at analysing the contribution of science and technology parks to capacity building, digitalisation, and the circular economy within the framework of this European initiative.