In its first year, through its one-stop-shop for Entrepreneurs, EKINN has supported 229 innovative projects. EKINN is the new public platform for the different agents of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The objective of the plan, launched by Fomento de San Sebastián, is to develop innovative projects that boost the economy and employment in the city, with a focus ...
From July 1 to 5, it offers a unique opportunity to live an intensive entrepreneurship experience with young people from all over the world. This activity is included in EKINN Academy, EKINN´s line of training and ...
San Sebastian's economic development agency executed a total of €9 million in 2023. The entity increased its average annual investment in entrepreneurship to €2.5 million. Fomento San Sebastián provided 2,639 services last year (34,8% more than in 2022), attended 2,564 people (60,4% more than in 2022), supported 1,352 companies (+4,6%), and backed 295 entrepreneurial projects, as reflected in its 2023 activity report.
On 23 and 24 April, Fomento San Sebastian hosted the follow-up meeting of NOTRE project (Novel Methods Improving Production Innovation Potential with Examples of Senior Care- Related Solutions), financed within the framework of the Interreg Europe programme. The main goal of NOTRE, in which 11 partners from different European countries - Finland, Hungary, Romania, France, Italy, Ireland and Spain - participate, is to improve policy instruments targeting healthy ageing related innovation to advance in supporting the development of new products or services in order to strengthen the health ecosystem.
The Young Leaders San Sebastian programme promoted by Fomento San Sebastian, in collaboration with Urban Future, aims to identify talented young people from San Sebastian, who suggest innovative and sustainable ideas to transform the city.
The Guarantee Fund programme, launched thanks to the collaboration between the Department of Local Economy and Employment, through Fomento de San Sebastián, and Elkargi, has financed a total of six operations in 2023, with an average of 87,600 euros of support per operation. This amount represents an increase of 20.3% compared to last year's average. The selected projects are dedicated to Health, ICT and 4.0 industry sectors. In addition, in 2023, 50% of the financed operations were led by women.
Marianela García, entrepreneur, ViveBiotech, a company that promotes female innovation and talent, and María Muñoz Cafarell, a researcher of excellence, have received the award. Eneko Goia: “You are an example to follow. The commitment to the present and future of the city. Your example, without a doubt, will encourage many more innovative companies to bet on female talent, as well as help women to start off entrepreneurial projects”. Marisol Garmendia: “Intelligent and fair societies welcome and promote female talent, which is 50% of their creative potential, innovation and knowledge and, therefore, of their capacity to develop and the create of well-being".
San Sebastian opens EKINN, the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship lighthouse city project, with the aim of fostering innovative entrepreneurship and make the city reach new heights in terms of innovation, entrepreneurship, ecosystem development and international connections.