Companies in Spain’s science and technology parks are set to break turnover records in 2025

The 2025 review confirms the positive development of these innovation ecosystems, which are strengthening their contribution to economic growth, the creation of skilled jobs and the promotion of R&D in Spain. The improvement recorded in indicators such as turnover, employment, investment in R&D, foreign companies, incubation and patents highlights the parks’ ability to attract innovative business activity and establish themselves as strategic hubs for the competitiveness of the productive sector.

One of the most notable figures for 2025 is the sharp increase in turnover of the companies and organisations based in the parks, which reached €38.597 billion, representing growth of over 22% compared to 2024. Similarly, investment in Research and Development (R&D) amounted to €2,333.65 million, 10% more than in the previous year.

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

In terms of employment, the parks were home to a total of 189,969 professionals, representing a 12.8% increase compared with 2024. Within this group, 45,092 people are engaged in R&D activities, marking a 7% increase, which highlights the growing concentration of specialist talent in these environments.

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

During the 2025 financial year, 1,818 new companies were recorded, comprising both companies incorporated within the parks and companies that had set up there, representing a 121% increase compared to 2024. Of these, 329 were companies incorporated within the parks, representing a 46% increase, and 1,489 companies set up in these spaces, 149% more than in the previous financial year.

Gender equality remains an area of focus within the parks’ activities. According to data provided by 40 parks, 772 companies and organisations are led by women, representing 18% of all companies in those parks. Furthermore, 1,321 companies and organisations have equality plans in place, a figure equivalent to 31.5% of the total, according to data provided by 39 parks.

In terms of activity, the sectoral diversity of the parks remains one of their main strengths. The information, IT and telecommunications sectors lead the way 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 the agri-food and biotechnology sectors, accounting for 6.1%; industry, at 5.4%; energy and the environment, at 5.1%; and technology centres and R&D, at 4.5%.

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

APTE also took the opportunity during its General Assembly in Walqa to present the association’s new Executive Committee, which will continue to be chaired by Felipe Romera and will comprise 15 members from 10 autonomous communities. Among the new members of the Committee are: Carlos Ortas, managing director of the Walqa Technology Park; Miren Bilbao, manager of the Euskadi – Araba Technology Park; and José Luis Vega, Avilés Isla de la Innovación Science and Technology Park.

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

The event also included a programme of activities focusing on some of the main current challenges and opportunities facing innovation ecosystems, including a talk and discussion on the impact of data centres on the economy, a meeting of the APTE Network of Technicians, and a guided tour of Podoactiva and the Aragón Hydrogen Foundation.

The event also featured a workshop organised by the European 3D-Circular project, entitled “Progress and the role of APTE member parks”, which aimed to analyse the contribution of science and technology parks to skills development, digitalisation and the circular economy within the framework of this European initiative.