The Provincial Council of Valencia continues its firm commitment to extending technological innovation and the startup ecosystem beyond Valencia capital and its metropolitan area. A testament to this was the organization of an event, as part of Startup Europe Week (SEW), in Aras de los Olmos, a municipality in the Serranía region set to open its new Technological Innovation Center this summer. In previous years, this event was always held in the city of Valencia.
The meeting, titled 'Innovation and Technology-Based Events in the Province of Valencia: The Valencian Innovative Ecosystem in Inland Regions -- A Commitment to Talent and Territorial Cohesion --', brought together at the Big History Building in Aras de los Olmos the Provincial Council's Innovation Deputy, Juan Ramón Adsuara; the CEO of the Valencian Association of Startups, Nacho Mas; the representative of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Betsabé Arjona; and the Director of the el Olmo Foundation, Toni Collado.
In addition to the Innovation area led by Juan Ramón Adsuara, the event was supported by the Sustainable Territorial Development area, headed by Avelino Mascarell. SEW is an initiative driven by the European Commission aimed at strengthening the ecosystem of entrepreneurs and startups at the local and regional level, according to the provincial corporation's statement.
The gathering served as a platform for representatives from various entities to analyze the state of the innovative environment in the province's inland areas, positioning innovation as a key factor for territorial cohesion. Discussions also covered support activities and services, as well as the Valencian ecosystem's collaboration in developing innovative territories in depopulated regions.
“"One of the fundamental factors for driving innovation in our towns is public-private collaboration. The involvement of administrations and other stakeholders is necessary to encourage the arrival of startups throughout the province."
He added: 'From the Provincial Council, we are working to ensure digitalization reaches every corner of our land. We are also supporting the creation of technological spaces to attract these companies and retain talent, as is the case with the CTI in Aras de los Olmos'.
The Technological Innovation Center is scheduled to open in Aras de los Olmos this summer. Named RuralTEC, its purpose is to provide innovation and digitalization services for the populations of the Serranía del Turia, from Casinos to Ademuz. It is an ICT infrastructure equipped with electronics and technology aimed at the sustainable innovation of rural areas.
The Provincial Council of Valencia has contributed 100,000 euros to its establishment. Furthermore, a collaboration agreement between the Provincial Council and the el Olmo Foundation will be signed this year to provide financial support for the next four years.
This center will serve to create an ICT knowledge management space in rural areas, designed to foster public-private collaboration, among other possibilities, such as the so-called triple helix of innovation collaboration: business initiatives (self-employed and SMEs), universities, and public administration. Thanks to the CTI, experiences in designing and developing applications that leverage ICT advantages for rural environments will be implemented in the territory, as well as for applications in agriculture and livestock farming, promoting labor diversity beyond traditional rural occupations and activities.
