The Basque Country Technology Park in Gipuzkoa celebrates 30 years of service to talent, innovation and sustainability

The 203 companies established there and more than 6,500 individuals who work at the Donostia and Hernani Campuses of the Basque Country Technology Park are benchmarks in transformative and innovative projects

The 30th anniversary celebrations were attended by Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu and the President of the Basque Country Technology Park, Estibaliz Hernáez. During the event the slogan which will accompany the Technology Park in Gipuzkoa this year was presented: Innfiniturantz

Donostia Campus hosted the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the start of the Basque Country Technology Park in Gipuzkoa with a ceremony attended by representatives from a large number of the 203 companies who currently operate in this space. Companies that contribute to making the space a place for the innovation and technological development that promotes the economic and social development of Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country.

Iñigo Urkullu, Lehendakari of the Basque Government, and Estibaliz Hernáez, President of the Basque Country Technology Park, were invited to speak before those present, which included a wide institutional representation headed by Arantxa Tapia, Regional Councillor for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment; Bakartxo Tejeria, President of the Basque Parliament; Eider Mendoza, President of the Regional Council of Gipuzkoa; Eneko Goia, Mayor of Donostia-San Sebastián; Aitor Urzelai, Director General of Spri and Eduardo Ruiz de Gordejuela, Director General of Kutxabank.

As highlighted in the speeches, the Donostia Campus of the Basque Country Technology Park, together with the Hernani Campus, is one of the main exponents in the transformation experienced by the Basque and Gipuzkoan economies in the last 30 years. A total of 203 companies and R&D agents carry out their activities in a distinctive top quality space. These companies, which generate a combined turnover of 1,405 million euros and globally invest 172 million euros in R&D, employ more than 6,500 people, over half of whom have university degrees.

More specifically, Estibaliz Hernáez spoke more of the future of the Technology Park in Gipuzkoa, rather than the history of success of the last 30 years, summarising it into three words: talent, innovation and sustainability. In this respect, the President linked the path of the Technology Park to the slogan chosen to celebrate the 30th anniversary: Innfiniturantz, which represents the spirit of the Technology Park and its links to innovation and dynamism.

The words of the President of the Technology Park were endorsed by the Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu, who highlighted the importance of the Donostia and Hernani Campuses for the Basque ecosystem of science and technology and, in particular, the development plans in the Gipuzkoa region.

In this respect, the ceremony served to recall that the occupation of buildings on the Donostia Campus is close to 100%, making the extension envisaged in the area of Illumbe more necessary than ever, and for which conversations are underway with the City Council of Donostia-San Sebastián.

Furthermore, support for the growth of the Hernani Campus, where a new building is to be built, and for the Hondarribia Campus, is considered key. In the latter case, this is pending the new municipal land-use plan.

Commitment to Gipuzkoa
Over its 30 years of history, activity at the Technology Park has taken place in a unique framework. The commitment to a corporate future takes place in a natural environment, where sustainability is a central concept, where the quality of the urban planning and architecture of the spaces is a hallmark feature. And where the people who work in key sectors for the progress of our society are encouraged, motivated and cared for.

In addition, since its foundation the Technology Park has highlighted its clear vocation for popularising science and technology among the society, sharing knowledge that is key for progress by means of different initiatives. In particular, it has encouraged careers in science and technology among young people, and raised awareness about the role of women in science and technology.

The Donostia Campus is one of the six active campuses (Zamudio/Derio, Leioa, Donostia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Hernani and Abanto) and three proposed campuses (Ortuella, Bilbao and Hondarribia) forming part of the Basque Country Technology Park, an ecosystem of talent and knowledge that focusses on giving innovation and internationalisation leading roles in the Basque industrial policy.

Lastly, the event has also served to recognise the work of those people who have been and are part of this project, the true creative forces behind the place of reference currently occupied by the Donostia Campus of the Basque Country Technology Park, which faces a promising future, thanks to the talent, knowledge and innovation brought together by the companies and R&D centres established there.

Following the official photos, the guests were able to enjoy the performance of the EuskalHerrikoGazteOrkestra (EGO) string quartet, who are based on Donostia Campus, and a version in Euskera of a track from the musical “Over the rainbow” given by DemodeQuartet.