3rd TECNIO Conference

On 21 November, the 3rd TECNIO Conference was held with the slogan “Transferring knowledge to boost competitiveness.” After the previous editions held in Girona and Vic, this time it was held in Terrassa thanks to collaboration from the UPC and the city council.

The conference brought together representatives from TECNIO groups with the aim of sharing experiences and encountering synergies for business needs within our environment. Collaboration between businesses and the TECNIO centres has become a common practice for industrial innovation based on knowledge transfer.

The event featured various presentations, roundtables, and a networking space to promote connection and dialogue among all participants. Many representatives from government and other entities were present at the institutional welcome and closure, highlighting the need to bring applied research from universities to companies for technology transfer and the resulting innovation for the development of new products and their introduction into the market.

Attendees spoke of improving impacts, of the need for more collaboration between universities (research centres, technology centres, etc.) and companies, and about the situation regarding the level of research and transfer in Catalonia compared to the rest of Europe and other countries around the world. In general, the conference continued with what unfolded at the event in 2023. Depending on how one looks at it, the figures show that we are doing quite well (or not), but that there is a long way to go. They show that more public and private policy and investment are needed, that incentives must be produced to recognize transfer activities, that more empathy is needed for collaboration to work, and that collaboration works when we understand one another.

One of the highlights of the event was the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the IT Network, the precursor of TECNIO, with the presentation of commemorative plaques to the representatives of the first nine groups recognized as drivers of technology transfer to companies. Currently, there are 57 groups with TECNIO accreditation that had revenue of 84 million euros in 2023 from contracts with companies, with 64 doctors transferred to industry, 7 new spinoffscreated, and 30 patents transferred.

Of all the presentations, talks, and roundtables, I would like to highlight the interview that Dr Nora Ventosa, outgoing president of the TECNIO Association, gave to Mr Josep Lagares, president of the company Metalquimia. Although the interview focused on science-based innovation as a driver to boost competitiveness, many other issues were discussed as well. We were able to get to know Josep, an entrepreneur and innovator from top to bottom, a person who never stops, has very clear ideas, and is deeply committed to his environment, supporting young people, music, and sports. Not only was it a very interesting and entertaining interview, but I was also pleased to see two professionals from the same IQS class speaking in front of the auditorium to share their experiences. The two are excellent examples of what IQS produces.

The most unfortunate part of the event was the minor presence of women in the programme. In terms of attendance there was balance, but the people who participated as speakers were men by quite a large majority. I was not the only one who left thinking that most of those who hold important positions are men and that women do not form part of the R&D&i ecosystem in Catalonia. This should not be the image we hope to give.

Dr Núria Vallmitjana

Director of IQS Tech Transfer