Knowing our environment is crucial to innovation with a purpose. We analyse trends, consumer habits and technological contexts to identify opportunities and guide strategic decisions.

We help businesses to:

1. React to changes in their environment and consumer habits.
2. Anticipate future scenarios.
3. Add value to their products and services.
4. Successfully implement new business models and RDi projects.

We back the setting up of New Technology-Based Businesses: firms created on the basis of scientific knowledge developed at AZTI.

We help them to validate their technology, find funding and consolidate their business model.

Important examples:

1. Zambrana: exploiting winemaking by-products to produce bioethanol and bioproducts. (Investment €32M).
2. Itsas Balfegó: sustainability and aquaculture of bluefin tuna in the Bay of Biscay. (Investment: €2M – 1st phase)
3. Lipiwell: personalised nutrition based on biomarkers.
4. DataFish: fishery analysis in real time. (Turnover: €1.3M – 12 direct employees)

These initiatives have generated 124 direct jobs and mobilised over €32M of private investment.

We foster open innovation by bringing together the capacities of multiple actors. We work in collaborative ecosystems that bring together businesses, technology centres, investors and other bodies to develop solutions together.

Innovation forums we back:

1. AZTInnova: open innovaiton network with over 200 partner companies.
2. Inkuba Sarea: accelerating FoodTech (Basque Country–Nouvelle Aquitaine–Navarre).
3. U-BAI Faktoria: backing business in Urdaibai–Busturialdea.
4. Oarsoaldea Urdina: diversifying the blue economy and creating jobs.
5. EIT Food Accelerator Network: Pan-European programme to speed up the growth of agrifood startups.
6. UnlickX & Co (Japan): strategic agreement to connect food innovation between Spain and Japan.
7. Bermeo Tuna World Capital (BTWC): global alliance for tuna sustainability.

Apart from projects with individual businesses, AZTI backs large-scale initiatives to strengthen industry and encourage sustainable development in the Basque Country.

Highlights include:

1. Food 4 Future, an international congress organised by AZTI to bring together businesses, startups and experts to share trends in technology, sustainability and digitalisation in the food industry.
2. Basordas fish farm, with over €100M invested in sustainable production of salmon and sole.
3. We also promote an investment fund and a network of business angels to support marine/food projects with seed capital and strategic support.