Throughout the year, the Park has continued to act as a bridge between the UAB research community and the socio-economic environment. This involves identifying needs and opportunities in both areas, gaining first-hand knowledge of local council and business priorities, understanding UAB groups' capabilities and lines of research, and maintaining direct relationships with clusters, social agents, and organisations operating in strategic sectors.

• Read more about Connection, innovation and growth: the UAB Research Park in 2025

Knowledge transfer, as a mission and commitment, is articulated through the creation of an ecosystem where academic research meets market demand and social need.

Research as a driver of socio-economic returns

The most direct link between the academic and business worlds materialised at the Innovation Fair, one of the highlights of Innovation Week. This space managed to mobilise more than 70 R&D groups, 10 start-ups and 120 companies, with the explicit aim of connecting the business, investment and research ecosystems.

• Read more about The Innovation Week establishes itself as a meeting point between research, business and society

Once again, the event wants to showcase the commitment of the UAB and the UAB Research Park with innovation and collaboration between research and business. The Fair wants to the focal point that promotes the connection between the academic and businesses world, while giving visibility to R&D&I projects and promoting strategic alliances. In this regard, this year alone more than 80 UAB research groups and spin-offs will show their technological and innovative potential.

• Read more about The UAB celebrates the 3rd Innovation Fair to strengthen links among research and businesses

With a multidisciplinary and collaborative look, UAB promotes pioneer projects that address ecological transition from science, technology, territorial planification, economy, and governance. In this article, we are analysing the lines of action and capacities to make UAB a referent in green transformation.

Capacities by UAB departments

• Read more about UAB, a referent in environmental and sustainability research

These initiatives allow for organizations to raise real-world challenges that require creative and multidisciplinary solutions, opening a space of interaction with the university community and, particularly, with the emerging talent of students.

• Read more about Promoting innovation playfully: real-world challenges to connect talent and businesses

An industrial doctorate is a research project developed in collaboration between a company and a university or research centre. The aim is to solve real challenges posed by the company through research at a high academic level leading to a doctoral thesis. The PhD student acts as a link between the company and the academic world, combining scientific rigour with practical applicability.

• Read more about Industrial doctorates: turning ideas into real innovations

Innovation is part of the human DNA. Even the most conservative minds adapt to change when circumstances demand it. We live in an ever-changing world, and companies have no choice but to innovate if they want to keep up with the times. But just because innovation is necessary does not mean it is easy - far from it.

• Read more about Open innovation: collaboration as a driver of new solutions

But which are the ways in which these two worlds can work together? Next, we will explore some of the main paths of collaboration the University gives to businesses and entrepreneurs. 

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We live in world progressively more intertwined, facing bigger social and environmental challenges. We are entering uncharted territory where problems are exponentially more complex and their changes, complex. Scientific reports alert us to the fact that we are transgressing planetary boundaries, those that regulate the well-being of people and the planet's life support systems, and that determine a safe operating space for humanity. The challenges ahead are not only technical, but also ethical. 

• Read more about Knowledge transfer: mission and promises

• The total budget amounts to 1.400 million euros, almost 200 more than in 2024.
• Launching of a 300 million euro initiative to provide scale up finance up to 30 million euros per project as part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) program, with a shortened evaluation process and facilitated access to Invest EU Venture Debt support.
• Award of STEP Seal to facilitate access to alternative and complementary funding.
• An additional €250 million to support early-stage companies on specific technology enterpri

• Read more about What are the main novelties of the new program of the European Innovation Council?