New ideas - Spain

Updated 01/2011

Legal requirements

The economy is global and highly competitive. Businesses need to develop and apply new ideas so that they can meet the challenges of the market and benefit from its opportunities.

New ideas allow businesses to develop new products and services, improve the quality of existing ones, and better manage their organisation: strategy, processes, resources, etc. Innovation is a key part of managing any business.

There is a broad framework encouraging business innovation, which encompasses many different elements: education, research and innovation systems, business participation in these systems, use of new ideas by business, culture of science and innovation in society and among entrepreneurs, rules on intellectual and industrial property. Some of these will be mentioned below.

The European Union is trying to become a knowledge economy. To that end, it wants to establish a European area for education, research and innovation. This area will help to better coordinate actions, resources and cooperation. It will also involve specific initiatives to support business innovation.

New Ideas in Europe: Your Europe portal
Europe INNOVA

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology is trying to integrate the three sides of the knowledge triangle: education, research and innovation, and business.

Education system in Spain

It could be useful to learn about the education system in Spain: primary and secondary education, vocational training, universities and research. For more information or to apply online for grants and financial support for students, teachers, researchers or institutions, use the following link:

Education system in Spain: Ministry of Education

Research in Spain

The current system of research and innovation in Spain is key to generating new ideas and innovation in business. Businesses can find out about the support, financial aid, opportunities and benefits of becoming involved in research and innovation activities.

The research and innovation system in Spain is in line with EU initiatives in this area.

More detailed information is available through the following links:

Research in Europe: Your Europe portal
R&D policy in Spain

Business innovation in Spain

Businesses can use the new ideas developed through research, experimentation and their own experience. These new ideas can involve technical or organisational aspects. Businesses can apply them in practice and improve their organisation, products and services.

National Innovation Strategy:

The National Innovation Strategy (e2i) is the action framework for the government’s innovation policy in order to help change the productive model in Spain, by creating and promoting structures that will help make best use of scientific knowledge and technological developments.

National Innovation Strategy

Transfer and use of knowledge:

The transfer to and use by businesses of knowledge developed by public research centres is a key element in the economic development of any country.

Knowledge transfer
Public finance for knowledge transfer
Transfer structures
Offices for the Transfer of Research Results (OTRI)
Innovation transfer agents: science and technology parks, centres and platforms

Promotion of business innovation:

Business innovation based on research, development and technological innovation has a fundamental role as a driver of business competitiveness and socioeconomic growth: direct economic or financial aid, tax benefits, recognition of innovative businesses or other support measures. More information is available through the following link:

Policy promoting business innovation

The Centre for Industrial Technology Development (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial – CDTI) is a public body answerable to the Ministry of Science and Innovation, which encourages innovation and technological development in Spanish businesses.

Centre for Industrial Technology Development
Business finance for innovation
Other bodies, agencies and foundations promoting innovation

Other programmes supporting business innovation through advice and financing:

Other programmes supporting business innovation

The Empresa Nacional de Innovación, S.A. (ENISA), which is attached to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, offers financing to SMEs, through the participating loan for innovative projects.

ENISA

Inocularas is a scheme that primarily aims to help improve the competitiveness of SMEs by integrating a culture of innovation in their business strategies, as a key competitive tool for achieving sustained economic growth. It is jointly funded by the European Union and involves the Chambers of Commerce.

Inocularas

Culture of science

Another important factor in the development and application of new ideas in various aspects of business is having a culture of science in society as a whole, and particularly among businesses.

The following webpage acts as a forum for scientific publication, which is intended to bring science closer to the people. Its various sections contain interesting articles and documentation on various scientific sectors and science-related events, as well as a series of recommended links.

Initiatives to promote a culture of science in Spain

Intellectual and industrial property

Individuals and businesses carry out research and develop innovations for the benefits that they will bring. There is also a general interest in innovations being widely used, given the benefits that these can bring for everyone. This means that the rules protecting rights to new ideas and inventions are key in the context of innovation. For more information:

Alongside innovation, access to R&D is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Research — Spain

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage innovation.

Intellectual property — Spain

Resources

The European Union has some specific initiatives to support business innovation, such as: financial support, networks of innovative businesses, and services. The following stand out: Europe INNOVA, Enterprise Europe Network and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

More information is available through the following links:

New Ideas and Business in Europe: Your Europe portal
Research and Innovation and the European Union: Activities
Research and Innovation and the European Union: Legislation
Research and Innovation in the European Union: European Commission
Europe INNOVA
European Institute of Innovation and Technology : this is trying to integrate the three sides of the knowledge triangle: education, research and innovation, and business
Other European initiatives supporting innovation
Ministry of Science and Innovation
Research in Spain
Innovation in Spain
Culture of Science in Spain
Centre for Industrial Technology Development
Financing for Innovative Businesses
Other bodies, agencies and foundations promoting innovation
Other programmes supporting business innovation

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

New ideas - Spain