The Consortium of the Cádiz Free Trade Zone and the INCYDE Foundation of the Chambers of Commerce of Spain have signed a collaboration protocol in Cádiz to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological transformation in the province's business fabric. This agreement is the first of its kind signed by the INCYDE Foundation in Andalusia to implement a project developed with the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), aimed at bringing technology closer to small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and entrepreneurs.
The protocol establishes a framework for collaboration to facilitate the development of initiatives within the Cádiz Free Trade Zone's operational area, aligned with the previous agreement between Fundación INCYDE and the CDTI. This public entity, under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, is responsible for promoting innovation and technological development in Spanish businesses. The alliance seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Cádiz-based companies, promote the adoption of innovation and technological transformation processes, and support the creation and growth of innovative and technology-based enterprises.
Fran González, the State Delegate at the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, highlighted the protocol as a "new opportunity to provide companies and entrepreneurs with tools to innovate, grow, and become more competitive," especially given the current decisive technological transformation. Javier Collado, Director General of the INCYDE Foundation, described the agreement as "another step forward" in the collaboration with the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, recalling previous projects like Incubazul and the 4.0 Business Incubator. He emphasized the goal to "bring technology to SMEs, entrepreneurs, and startups" and confirmed this is the first agreement in Andalusia for this CDTI project.
Collado further indicated that this agreement paves the way for future alliances in Andalusia. Fran González added that the Free Trade Zone aims to be a "facilitator and meeting point between companies, knowledge, innovation, and public resources," and that this alliance with INCYDE aligns with that strategy to "generate new opportunities in our territory."
Specific actions for businesses include awareness and dissemination sessions on innovation, technological transformation, and innovative entrepreneurship, as well as practical workshops to identify innovation opportunities and facilitate the application of technological transformation processes. These workshops will also enhance companies' and startups' capabilities to access funding, including information on instruments managed by the CDTI. Express acceleration programs for startups and innovative companies will be launched, offering project diagnostics, specialized mentoring, and tailored action plans. Training programs focused on innovation, technological transformation, and the creation of technology-based companies will also be developed, potentially co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The protocol will provide information on funding opportunities for R&D&i projects, with a focus on CDTI instruments.
The agreement promotes collaboration with innovation ecosystem stakeholders, network generation, and knowledge exchange, bringing public support resources closer to businesses. González stressed the importance of companies knowing and utilizing these resources. The Cádiz Free Trade Zone recently joined the CDTI's PIDI Network, strengthening its role as a reference point for public R&D&i funding. This new framework complements existing collaborations.
This collaboration consolidates the relationship between the Cádiz Free Trade Zone and the INCYDE Foundation, focusing on the Blue Economy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Previous projects such as Incubazul, the High Technology Incubator for the Blue Economy, and ZF Blue Core-Business Incubator 4.0, with an investment of 10.3 million euros co-financed by the ERDF, have supported 123 projects linked to the Blue Economy. The partnership has also extended to training and self-employment, with reinforced actions in 2026.
The new protocol, valid until December 31, 2027, includes collaboration in identifying and recruiting participants for various activities and in their promotion. The Free Trade Zone may also provide suitable spaces and facilities. The INCYDE Foundation will manage and execute the planned activities, providing technical and teaching staff and necessary resources. The specific program and schedule will be determined by INCYDE in coordination with the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, considering regional needs and resource availability.
