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.
During 2023, nearly 2 million euros were invested in employment support and job creation programmes, in collaboration with various entities, benefiting 2,564 individuals. The effort led to the creation of 1,697 new jobs, 56% of which were aimed at people under 35 years of age.
According to the Councillor for Local Economy and Employment, Ane Oyarbide, these figures reflect “the commitment of this department, Fomento San Sebastián and the entire city Council, to support entrepreneurship in the city, generate employment, and offer opportunities for personal and professional development to our youth. We continue to strive to reduce the gender gap in employment and to provide opportunities to groups with difficulties entering the labour market. Likewise, the city´s firm commitment to continue making San Sebastián a benchmark in innovation, science and research is unwavering”.
Fomento San Sebastán consolidates its commitment
Fomento San Sebastián consolidates its sustained commitment to promote the development of innovative projects that boost the economy and employment in the city, with a special focus on people and through a collaborative model.
For the Managing Director of Fomento de San Sebastián, Iñigo Olaizola, “this commitment involves offering individualized support to people, companies, and projects in collaboration with different public and private agents that form the city's rich innovation ecosystem.
Supporting entrepreneurship
In 2023, 295 new entrepreneurial projects received support, 44% of which were innovative in nature. Of the total, 49% were projects aimed at industry 4.0, 26% in the field of biosciences and 25% were linked to energy and new materials. 750 people participated in programmes and services related to entrepreneurship, among which 52% were women, 46% under 35 years of age and 28% immigrants.
Last year, trough EKINN+ programme, we backed 23 startups, making a total of 126 projects since 2015. With a survival rate of 98,8% the supported startups have managed to triple their workforce in 5-7 years.
The guarantee programme, in collaboration with Elkargi S.G.R, allocated 526.000 euros to 6 local startups with an average financing of 87.600 euros per operation.
Launched in 2024, EKINN, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub located in the city centre, reflects this commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Pushing forward the science and innovation ecosystem
This initiative is focused on technology transfer, attracting research talent, and supporting local talent, focusing on youth and gender equality.
Awareness-raising actions to promote STEAM vocations should be highlighted as well and actions to promote equality in collaboration with initiatives such as Emakumeak Zientzian (women in science) and Aspegi Association (Association of professional and entrepreneur women). Fomento San Sebastián supported more than 1000 women, contributing to the signing of 814 new contracts, and supported 100 business projects lead by women.
- The 10th Innovation Week, WeekINN, “embarked” 3,000 participants on an “Xpedition” towards innovation and entrepreneurship, with the collaboration of 60 entities.
- Through the Talent House programme, since 2011, we provided accommodation to 2,300 researchers and their families, attending a total of 3,316 people.
- As for the Technology Vouchers, 32 vouchers were granted with a total amount of 400,000 euros.
Urban Economy
With an investment of 1.3 million euros, Fomento San Sebastián supported close to 700 retail and hospitality establishments. NEXT projects stand out for driving sustainability and innovation and promoting competitive improvement in these sectors.
One of the novelties of 2023 was EKINN+ Gastro. This programme that aims to identify and promote talent and growth of gastronomic business projects has started off positively.
The local e-commerce Platform DSS Market Plaza, generated 312.00 euros in sales, and the Christmas Campaign, with an economic impact of 22.5 million euros, contributed 18 euros to the local economy for every euro invested.
The UBA Hostel School has been a strategic project to create new employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Designed in collaboration with various entities in the city, it allows to combine the daily activity of an accommodation business with training and work experience in this sector.
It is also worth mentioning the actions developed within the Integral Urban Regeneration Plan of Altza neighbourhood, with a budget of more than 12 million, the project will be implemented in several stages until 2025.
Fomento San Sebastián complements this plan of action with a training and employment programme in different phases which is part of an itinerary to improve employability and in which 20 people belonging to vulnerable groups have participated.
Supporting young talent from San Sebastián
Focused on providing training, employment, and housing opportunities for young people, as well as attracting young talent, it is important to note that we granted 49 international mobility scholarships and implemented initiatives to support employment and job creation. In addition, more than 350 young people attended the III. Talent Fair, where 46 innovative companies offered a total of 156 job vacancies.
In 2023, we worked with 2,000 young people in innovation and entrepreneurship activities, highlighting the 7th edition of the Donostia Innovation Challenge, a challenge-based learning programme to develop skills linked to innovation, with the participation of 23 educational centres and 65 local collaborating entities.