ICE is the instrument that the regional government of Castilla y Leon has devoted to the entrepreneurial development and the services for the companies. It belongs to the Regional Ministry of Economy and Treasury, and it works in three main areas:
The IBC is responsible for promoting the development of actions that increase innovation activities in our region and that enhance technology transfer from universities and technological centers to the business sector. It is also responsible for the attraction of resources aimed at the innovation and participation in technology cooperation networks. Additionally, it promotes the digitalization and sustainability of the business sector, as key factors in the improvement of business competitiveness. All of this is carried out under the goals and guidelines stated in the Strategy for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the Regional Government of Castilla-León (EEI27).
To achieve such goals and to support innovation in companies established in Castilla-León, the IBC has a series of mechanisms in place, including the lines of R&D&I grants for SMEs, the recognition of strategic R&D plans and its support through subsidies, and the promotion of technology transfer through the Technology Centers Network, encouraging collaboration between these centers and, with tools such as innovation vouchers and technology transfer vouchers.
Additionally, in the IBC, we support the creation of new businesses by fostering entrepreneurship. For this purpose, we have Wolaria, the first public business accelerator in Spain, and one of the most relevant at the national level. We also have a network of vertical accelerators in sectors such as biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, agri-food, or aerospace industry, including the European Space Agency (ESA) support for the latter.
The innovative ecosystem of Castilla-León is composed of several leading entities. It is worth mentioning Science Parks, startups emerging from business accelerators, both public and private, research centers, some of which are national benchmarks, or the network of Technology Centers, which promote competitiveness in businesses by providing technological solutions in areas as diverse as artificial intelligence, digital transformation and industry 4.0, cybersecurity, energy and environment, mobility, use of advanced materials, aerospace and space, agri-food, chemistry and biotechnology or natural and cultural heritage.