Spain's Extremadura Champions Million-Euro Project to Drive SME Innovation in EUROACE Region

Extremadura takes the lead in a groundbreaking initiative, as the FUNDECYT Foundation – Science and Technology Park of Extremadura (PCTEX) coordinates the DRIVEN project with a budget of one million euros.

Aimed at fostering an innovation ecosystem, the program seeks to align research efforts with the actual needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Extremadura, Central Portugal, and Alentejo.

Funded by the Interreg VI Program for Spain Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027, DRIVEN aims to propel industrial transformation and technology-based entrepreneurship by strategically focusing on economic priorities, scientific advancements, and technological opportunities within the EUROACE Euroregion.

Running until June 2026, DRIVEN will channel resources and research capabilities towards the strategic challenges faced by the business community, with a particular emphasis on industrial SMEs. The project involves collaboration with entities such as the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of Cáceres, its counterpart in Badajoz, Alentejo Science and Technology Park (PACT), and others.

DRIVEN introduces an array of activities and strategic actions, including the establishment of a EUROACE open innovation observatory. This platform facilitates companies in expressing their challenges to the scientific community, encouraging cooperation to collect potential ideas and solutions, minimizing risks associated with internal development.

Complemented by training initiatives, the observatory will identify and launch individual and sectoral challenges for the EUROACE industry. Additionally, a comprehensive platform will be developed to centralize project information, fostering knowledge exchange, identifying technological solutions, and supporting the pre-acceleration, incubation, and acceleration of new business initiatives.

Source: El Economista