From left to right: María Navarro Palacio (communication department); Ana Rodriguez Cid (ERDF technician); Mar Casanova Llorens (international director); María Torres Rodríguez (INCYDE development director); Pilar Ruíz-Huélamo (EU Delegation director); Natalia Vázquez Poza (ERDF director) and Keka Torres (EU Delegation deputy director).
Brussels, 30/01/2024.– Director Pilar Ruiz Huélamo received at the headquarters of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce Delegation to the EU the INCYDE Foundation (Cameral Institute for the Creation and Development of Enterprise). The entourage was composed of the heads of the departments of Development, International and Management of European Funds and took place from 29 to 31 January.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen institutional relations with European entities. To this end, they met the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Parliament and the Council.
The INCYDE Foundation (Cameral Institute for the Creation and Development of Enterprise), created in 1999 on the initiative of the Chambers of Commerce, is dedicated to the promotion and training of entrepreneurship, the improvement of the skills of entrepreneurs and the creation and consolidation of companies. Through its training programmes, it contributes to job creation and to the innovation and adaptation of SMEs to new markets.
Nowadays, Spanish companies are not only willing to face, but also to successfully overcome the crisis experienced in recent years, the growing inflation and the challenges ahead. Therefore, projects such as those carried out by the INCYDE Foundation contribute significantly to achieving this ambition, focusing on the creation and consolidation of business activity, the promotion of competitiveness and the promotion of sustainable entrepreneurship - Pilar Ruíz Huélamo, Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce Delegation to the EU.
In the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, the INCYDE Foundation is an intermediate body of the European Structural and Investment Funds, ERDF (regional development) ESF+ (social fund) as well as a direct beneficiary of the ESF+.
With regard to the ESF+, the following training programmes stand out:
- Business Creation and Consolidation
- Sectorial
- Retail Trade
- Business Diversification
- Innovation - NICTs
- Cultural and Creative Industries
Our commitment to the promotion of entrepreneurship is reflected in the creation of the first virtual support network for entrepreneurs, known as INCYDE_NET - Mar Casanova Llorens, director of the international department of INCYDE.
With regard to the ERDF, the projects currently being implemented are, among others:
Network of high-tech incubators
In 2014, a new technology strategy was outlined with the creation of 21 high-tech incubators. These incubators stand out as they are sectorised by activity and region, offering a specialised focus on globally strategic sectors.
Europe Sees 2023
Cajamar Innova, a company incubated by INCYDE in Almeria, won the 'Gold Star' at the final gala 'Europa Se Siente 2023'. It also received the award in the category 'Europe Feels Competitive' from the Directorate General of European Funds of the Ministry of Finance.
Digital Coworking
The digital coworking facilities, where support is offered to companies in digitalisation processes in exchange for a maintenance fee, represent another essential pillar of the foundation's activities. There are currently 26 centres in the network.
Among the foundation's areas of work, the following are particularly noteworthy:
The incubators of the INCYDE Network: a firm commitment to business innovation
With a network of more than 140 Business Incubators throughout Spain, it has established itself as the main European reference centre for knowledge and applied research. This network provides space and advice to new entrepreneurs for 2 years, with the option to extend for an additional year. These infrastructures, where payment is made only for the assignment of the space, allow the activity to start under more favourable conditions and to consolidate it through the incubation work provided at the centre.
INCYDE reaffirms its commitment to comprehensive support for entrepreneurs, providing 360º support from the conception of the idea to its full development - María Torres Rodríguez, Development Director of INCYDE.
¿Qué resultados están obteniendo con su gestión de acciones cofinanciadas con fondos estructurales?
- 330 millones de euros invertidos
- 4.000 cursos de formación impartidos
- 181.000 alumnos
- 32.000 empresas consolidadas
- 6500 empresas incubadas, de las cuales un 30% son extranjeras
- 147.000 empleos generados
These results demonstrate the fundamental role of INCYDE as an example of public-private collaboration, by integrating itself into the internal structure of private entities to provide support from the public sector - Natalia Vázquez Poza, director of the FEDER programme at INCYDE.