El CDTI (Center for Technological Development and Innovation) has announced the results of the call for proposals INNTERCONECTA STEP 2025This initiative aims to promote collaborative R&D&I projects between companies. This edition has established itself as a key tool for fostering business innovation. In total, [number of projects] have been selected. 100 initiatives that will contribute to strengthening the national technological ecosystem and Europe's strategic autonomy objectives.
The approved projects bring together 388 organizationswith a significant presence of small and medium-sized enterprises. Specifically251 participants belong to this category, representing 64,7% of the totalFurthermore, nearly 10% of these SMEs have taken the lead in consortia, highlighting the growing capacity of these companies to spearhead high-impact innovation initiatives.
The funded projects are distributed among the three priority technology areas defined by STEP. First, digital technologies and Deep Tech account for the largest volume of projects, representing the 62,1% of the total and 65,3% of the financing granted. In economic terms, this category has received approximately 67,5 million euros, what it means 46% of the total aid.
Biotechnology comes in second place. It represents the 21,6% of the projects were approved, and it stands out for registering the highest relative success rate., reaching the 39,5% approvalFinally, we have clean and resource-efficient technologies. They represent the 16,2% of projects, with close of 57,7 million euros granted, which is equivalent to around 40% of the total budget awarded.
These three areas are currently some of the main drivers of industrial growth in Europe. Furthermore, they will continue to attract a significant portion of public investment in innovation in the coming years.
Andalusia leads the territorial distribution
If we analyze the data at the territorial level, Andalusia leads the territorial distribution, occupying a leading position in all three technological fieldsIn digital technologies and deeptech, Andalusia and Galicia together account for approximately 51% of the bloc's financingThe Valencian Community, for its part, is consolidating its position as the third technological hub.
In terms of clean technologies, the distribution is more balanced. Andalusia is once again in the lead, but is followed, though less significantly, by the Valencian Community, Galicia, and Castile and León.
Meanwhile, in biotechnology, Andalusia maintains its leadership while Murcia, Galicia and the Valencian Community also register a particularly relevant participation.
Preparing in advance is key to increasing the chances of success
Although the call for applications for 2025 has already been resolved, INNTERCONECTA STEP is a recurring line of aidTherefore, it is expected to reopen in future editions. For this reason, companies with R&D projects in strategic technologies can take advantage of this period to define their strategy, identify technology partners, and prepare a solid proposal well in advance.
Experience shows that the Anticipation is one of the factors that most influences the success of this type of call for proposals.Especially when they require the formation of business consortia and the definition of projects of high technological complexity.
Eva Campos
Technical Manager Innovation at Euro-Funding
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