With the Innovation Plan, Fomento de San Sebastián is advancing its strategy based on promoting innovation as a key factor for the city's development, focusing on talent and public- private partnerships.
San Sebastián combines a diverse urban economy linked to quality of life with an innovative science and technology ecosystem that is an international benchmark. The Innovation Plan complements the recently presented Local Employment and Development Plan 2026-2030, providing a comprehensive response to the city's dual identity and the diverse challenges it faces.
The Plan supports innovative individuals, companies, and projects, emphasizing social impact through a service based on values such as collaboration, quality, responsibility, an
innovation.
The San Sebastián City Council, through its Development Corporation, presented the 2026 Innovation Plan at an event held at EKINN, the city's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub. The event was hosted by Jon Insausti, the city's mayor, and Ane Oyarbide, the Councilor for Economy and Local Employment.
The 2026 Innovation Plan has a budget of €6.56 million, representing an 8.66% increase over the previous year. It is structured around six key strategic pillars
- Boosting municipal public innovation.
- San Sebastián as a hub for innovative entrepreneurship.
- City of science and innovation platform.
- Innovation in the urban economy.
- Developing young talent.
- International positioning.
This Plan reinforces the city's comprehensive vision for economic development, as it aligns with the recently presented Local Employment and Development Plan 2026-2030, making San Sebastián the first municipality in the Basque Country to do so.
For the city's mayor, Jon Insausti, “it is no coincidence that 3.7% of San Sebastián's GDP comes from the R&D&I sector, where we have 6,800 people working. For decades, a network based on science, knowledge, technology, and innovation has been built, and years later, it is bearing fruit. San Sebastián maintains a strong commitment to innovation and knowledge, an emerging sector in which we are well-positioned and a benchmark at the European level. We want the city's economic development, but above all, we want to create quality jobs for the people of San Sebastián. Innovation helps us channel the city's entrepreneurial spirit, whose energy and intensity are so visible at the organizational and associative levels, toward high standards of quality and competitiveness.”
According to Ane Oyarbide, Councillor for Economy and Local Employment, “this San Sebastián Innovation Plan reflects a long-term city strategy that focuses on people and the capacity of our businesses to innovate and compete in an increasingly demanding global environment. This plan embodies our commitment to facilitating entrepreneurship, attracting and retaining talent, and connecting businesses, technology centers, and universities so that the city can progress and remain a leader in science and innovation. It is also a key tool that complements the Local Employment and Development Plan, reinforcing the creation of quality jobs and greater social cohesion. Ultimately, this plan is designed to transform potential into real opportunities with genuine social impact: more jobs, more economic activity, and a city better prepared to face the challenges of the present and the future.”
San Sebastián Development Agency Innovation Plan 2026
San Sebastián, City of Science and Innovation
San Sebastián has consolidated an economic model that has made it a City of Science and Innovation, a status recognized by the Ministry of Science and Innovation in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2024. The city's investment in R&D&I has grown by approximately 44% over the last five years, representing 3.7% of the city's total GDP. According to data from the San Sebastián Development Agency´s barometer, with a population of 189,000, the R&D investment per capita reaches €1,932, doubling the average for the Basque Country (€803 per capita), making it the leading city in Spain in terms of investment and among the top in Europe.
Currently, 6,794 people work in R&D&I, representing 5.2% of the active population, compared to the Basque Country average of 2.2%. This makes San Sebastián, once again, the provincial capital with the highest R&D employment intensity, according to the COTEC Foundation's Technology Map.
Activity Summary: Consolidation of an Innovative Ecosystem.
With an investment of €6 million, Fomento de San Sebastián provided more than 6,600 services last year, assisting 2,428 individuals and 1,825 companies, representing a 15.7% increase over the previous year.
With an investment of €6 million, Fomento de San Sebastián provided more than 6,600 services last year, assisting 2,428 individuals and 1,825 companies, representing a 15.7% increase over the previous year.
The 2025 activity report confirms San Sebastián's consolidation as one of the most advanced urban innovation ecosystems in Southern Europe. The city is positioned alongside European leaders such as Helsinki, Turin, and Grenoble, and was a finalist for the 2026 European Capital of Innovation award, reinforcing its recognition as a city of science and innovation and a deeptech innovation hub.
EKINN is consolidating its position as a key infrastructure within the ecosystem, with more than 5,500 users expected in 2025 and significant growth in participation in activities and events, acting as a connection point for startups, companies, technology centers, and institutions. Furthermore, the EKINN+ program, an accelerator for innovative entrepreneurship designed to enable innovative projects to develop under optimal conditions in San Sebastián, was a national winner and finalist for the European Business Promotion Awards.
In addition to supporting more than 2,000 young people, 224 entrepreneurial projects received assistance. €2.55 million was invested in direct aid for hiring and job creation, resulting in the generation of 909 new jobs. A third of these contracts were for highly qualified professionals hired by knowledge-intensive companies (KICs), reflecting a positive trend in economic activity linked to innovation, which has benefited from specific services and financial support.
The drive for innovation in the urban economy, with sectors fundamental to the economic and social future such as gastronomy and commerce, has also materialized in programs like EKINN+ Gastro, which supported projects such as Sukaldean and Amelia, and the launch of EKINN Dendak Merkatua as a laboratory for innovation and commercial entrepreneurship (this year with the opportunity to experiment at the Bretxa Market), in which 5 projects participated. Innovation Plan 2026: Strategic Pillars
The Innovation Plan 2026, presented by the Director General of Fomento de San Sebastián, Iñigo Olaizola, proposes a comprehensive program to support individuals, companies, and projects through personalized, high-quality support, a focus on strategic areas, and a clear commitment to collaboration with the various public and private stakeholders that make up the city's innovation ecosystem.
The Plan will be deployed along 6 lines of action:
1. Boosting Municipal Public Innovation
Its objective is to advance the incorporation of innovation as a key tool in municipal management, improving the efficiency of public services and responding to urban challenges from an agile, collaborative, and results-oriented perspective. It also seeks to strengthen the City Council's role as a driving force for innovation, capable of generating demand and energizing the business and technology ecosystem.
During 2026, initiatives such as the second edition of the Ideas Competition for solving urban challenges, the development of the XIII Public Innovation Congress in collaboration with the NovaGob Foundation, and the design and implementation of an experimental space in the Bretxa Market will be promoted. A Working Group on Public Innovation and Entrepreneurship will also be established.
2. San Sebastián as a Hub for Innovative Entrepreneurship
The objective will be to scale innovative entrepreneurial projects, energize the ecosystem, and consolidate San Sebastián as a benchmark for the development of entrepreneurial talent. EKINN, as the central hub of this strategy, will integrate services, programs, and community around entrepreneurship and innovation.
This year will see the launch of the 2027-2030 Entrepreneurship Plan and the establishment of the Entrepreneurship Advisory Council. Additionally, the Entrepreneur's Office will be strengthened, and a training program will be developed to promote new career paths, with a special focus on young people and women, and to develop entrepreneurial skills in business management and technology.
Furthermore, a new edition of the EKINN Summit will be held, the EKINN+ acceleration program will be reinforced—including new lines of support for scaling and consolidating projects—and progress will be made in developing proprietary investment tools to support the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Also noteworthy is the launch, in a strategic area such as sports, of a plan of activities to promote the sector as an entrepreneurial opportunity.
3. City of Science and Innovation Platform
Consolidating the knowledge-based city model, strengthening the connection between science, business, and society, and promoting strategic sectors linked to advanced technologies will be the objectives of this focus area, which will be developed based on values such as collaboration, quality, responsibility, and innovation.
The aim is to enhance technology transfer, the growth of knowledge-intensive companies, and the development of new areas of opportunity and innovative projects with social impact that address the city´s challenges.
During 2026, progress will be made in consolidating initiatives such as the San Sebastian Science Society, the 13th edition of Innovation Week, support for raising the profile of women in science and innovation, and the launch of networking spaces such as the Donostia Innovation Club. Furthermore, initiatives related to artificial intelligence will be developed, such as the research chair in the Social Impact of Artificial Intelligence (with the University of Navarra, TECNUN), and the knowledge and strengthening of Advanced Knowledge Service Companies (SEIC) will be promoted, in collaboration with the Institute of Competitiveness - Orkestra, which already represent 48% of the local GDP.
New technology transfer services will also be launched, along with a design consulting service (in collaboration with Habic), and talent attraction and retention programs (employer branding based on values), such as EKINN Talent and the Talent House Welcome Plan, will be reinforced. Business training and innovation will also be enhanced through a program of activities on Humanistic Leadership and Business.
4. Innovation in the urban economy
This focus area aims to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of traditional sectors such as commerce and hospitality, driving their transformation through innovation, digitalization, and the development of new business models. The urban economy represents a strategic area for the city, both for its economic weight (11.8% of the city`s GDP) and for its contribution to urban identity and cohesion.
Among the main actions, and linked to the 2026-2030 Strategic Trade Plan, are the launch of a new edition of the EKINN Dendak program and the promotion of innovative city initiatives. In the gastronomic sector, the fifth edition of EKINN + Gastro will take place, along with new support services for the growth of innovative projects in collaboration with industry stakeholders, as well as specific activities to energize the EKINN Gastro project community. Furthermore, the design and launch of an experimental space at the Bretxa Market will mark a milestone as an innovation hub in the urban economy.
5. Development of Young Talent
Supporting young talent in their professional and personal development, facilitating employment, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, and positioning San Sebastián as an attractive city for talent is the objective of this focus area. Therefore, a comprehensive vision is proposed that combines different tools to promote autonomy, employability, and the creation of opportunities.
During 2026, the GazteEKINN service will be launched, providing personalized support to young people with socially impactful initiatives. A new edition of the EKINN Residences
program will be launched to facilitate access to housing, and the job opportunities portal will be revitalized, focusing on SEIC companies. In addition, specific support for hiring and youth entrepreneurship will be promoted, along with the second edition of the call for proposals for “Projects with Social Impact Promoted by Local Young Talent,” activities to foster STEM vocations, the celebration of the Science in Action final (promoted by the Innpulso Network), and an international university competition focused on innovative projects.
6. International Positioning
This pillar aims to strengthen San Sebastián's international profile, consolidating its position as an innovation hub and generating new opportunities through connections with networks, cities, and strategic partners. The international dimension is seen as a key element for attracting talent, investment, and projects.
In 2026, active participation in networks such as Eurocities will be promoted, with the city leading the Entrepreneurship and Innovation working group. Alliances will also be developed with cities like Grenoble and Porto to create European entrepreneurship networks. Furthermore, the creation of international sectoral networks will be fostered, an international innovation conference will be held with the participation of the European Commission, and there will be active participation in forums such as the iCapital Alumni Forum, reinforcing the city´s global standing.
A Key Tool for City Development
The 2026 Innovation Plan is consolidating its position as a key strategic tool for the economic and social development of San Sebastián, reinforcing its model based on innovation, talent, and collaboration.
44% of the budget is co-financed by European funds and other institutions, such as Next Generation EU funds, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, and the European Social Fund, while the remainder is financed with the Municipal Corporation's own resources. Since 2023, Fomento de San Sebastián has made a cumulative investment of €23.5 million in this urban competitiveness tool.
The presentation of the Innovation Plan was attended by numerous agents of the ecosystem, including organizations such as Elkargi and ADEGI, representatives of the Universities (Deusto, Tecnun and EHU), the Science and Technology ecosystem (Berc Polymat, CEIT, CFM, BCBL, CIC NanoGUNE, IIS Biogipuzkoa, Tecnalia), Vocational Training Centers (Easo Politeknikoa, Nazaret) as well as companies such as Viralgen, Savvy Data System, Ikor, Piolet, Okencasa, Trebe, Yorsio, Easo Ventures and other entities such as ASPEGI, Berri Up, Habic, Basque Q, EIT ManufacturingWest, Ingeniariak, Emakumeak Zientzian, Orkestra and Cybertix.