José Zudaire, Managing Director of SpainCap, was the protagonist of the first 'Los Viernes de la Cámara' meeting organized by the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce after the summer break. During his speech, Zudaire highlighted that Euskadi is synonymous with technological quality and quality of life, and emphasized the region's industrial roots, closely linked to technology.
SpainCap, the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association of Spain, brings together over 3,200 companies, mostly SMEs, and employs around 600,000 workers. With a forty-year trajectory, the association has invested approximately fifty billion euros in Spain, generating value for sustainable transition.
Zudaire praised the situation of Bilbao and Euskadi, placing them in the top positions after Madrid and Barcelona. "Euskadi is synonymous with technological quality and quality of life. You are doing well, but specialization is important, and here it is industry, which is very closely linked to technology," he stated.
He highlighted Euskadi's "ecosystem, public-private collaboration, industrial policy, and business roots," and emphasized the importance of "believing in it, going out, and telling it." "You are what you communicate. There is much to show. We have things others don't: large companies, universities like Deusto, Sarriko, and Engineers, the Chamber… There are also great entrepreneurs, public-private collaboration, bank investment… It all needs to be sold," he explained.
Zudaire also underscored Euskadi's image abroad: "Euskadi is an open country, I really like the co-investments you make, and there are many operations." He added that "Europe is not just Paris, London, or Berlin; other cities are also worth considering."
They also discussed the global context and current technological and social issues. "Our partners are management professionals and regardless of geopolitics, they continue buying and selling and raising funds. This fog makes us better, more alert, and better at spotting opportunities," said Zudaire, who mentioned Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key daily topic. "AI is already in our lives and we must learn to live with it. It is changing the way we work and we will have to adapt. It will lead us to a better world. We will be better as we apply AI in our processes to be more productive," he assured.
Finally, one of the sector's concerns is generational succession. To address this, Zudaire offered advice: "Succession is fundamental because private capital adds value; you professionalize management without ceasing to lead and chair your company. You must accept advice, and it does not take away your management."
