Multinational company Ghenova to reach 100 jobs in Gran Canaria
Multinational company Ghenova to reach 100 Jobs in Gran Canaria
Spanish multinational Ghenova is expanding its presence in Gran Canaria as part of a decisive commitment to international growth in advanced engineering, naval design and consulting services tied to maritime navigation, shipbuilding and energy.
The company, which began operations on the island in 2024, currently employs a team of 50 professionals and plans to add 20 more in 2026 and an additional 30 in 2027, aiming to reach 100 employees in Gran Canaria.
This expansion aligns with Ghenova’s broader growth strategy, which focuses on consolidating its footprint on the island and leveraging local talent to develop specialized engineering and technological service projects.
Specialized training to boost local employment
Ghenova’s growth in Gran Canaria is accompanied by a partnership with the Gran Canaria Economic Promotion Agency (SPEGC) to attract local talent. Through the TECNOVA initiative, both entities have launched two specialized training courses in detail engineering and marine electrical drafting, designed for 35 professionals to enhance their qualifications and facilitate their recruitment into the firm.
A specialized environment for business growth
Setting up operations in new offices at the Marine-Maritime Innovation Center, managed by the SPEGC, streamlines Ghenova’s integration into a specialized business hub alongside other companies developing advanced tech solutions and services for the maritime and port sectors.
This expansion reinforces Gran Canaria’s standing as an attractive destination for engineering and advanced technology enterprises, while actively supporting the island's economic diversification and high-skilled job creation.
Engineering and technology for global projects
From Gran Canaria, Ghenova aims to continue scaling its technical capabilities and strengthening its involvement in international projects, drawing upon the island's maritime expertise and pool of qualified professionals.
With a track record spanning more than 40 years, Ghenova provides multidisciplinary engineering, consulting, and digital solutions. It delivers projects across more than 25 countries and maintains an international footprint in markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and South Korea, among others.
Its core sectors include naval engineering, defense and security, energy and water, industry, infrastructure, and ports.
Are you considering setting up or expanding your technology business in Gran Canaria? Contact Best in Gran Canaria to learn more about the facilities, services, and opportunities the island offers to help grow your business.
Japanese companies explore Gran Canaria’s opportunities in video games and animation
A delegation of 13 prominent Japanese studios from the video game, animation, and live-action sectors visited Gran Canaria this week to explore opportunities for developing productions and building synergies with the local industry.
Organized by Proexca with the institutional and logistical backing of the Economic Promotion Agency of Gran Canaria (SPEGC), the mission presented Gran Canaria as a prime destination for audiovisual, gaming and animation projects, while connecting Japanese firms with the island's professional ecosystem. The primary objective was to explore opportunities for collaboration and corporate establishment, backed by a value proposition combining tax incentives, local talent, and specialized infrastructure.
An environment to grow and develop content
The visiting companies learned about the combination of talent, specialized services, and infrastructure available across Gran Canaria. For video game and animation studios, this environment offers significant potential for partnerships in content creation, software development, and production services.
In the live-action sector, the island’s offering pairs purpose-built facilities -such as Gran Canaria Platós- with diverse outdoor locations and favorable year-round climate conditions that facilitate continuous filming.
Incentives for audiovisual and technology sectors
The itinerary included a presentation on the Canary Islands Economic and Tax Regime (REF) and the pathways for setting up operations through the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC).
Subject to applicable requirements, international audiovisual productions can access tax deductions of up to 54% on the first million euros of eligible expenditure incurred in the Canary Islands, and 45% on amounts thereafter. Meanwhile, technology projects benefit from targeted tax credits for R&D and technological innovation, depending on the nature of their activity.
The trade mission established key contacts for future partnerships between Japanese companies and the Gran Canaria business community, spanning both content production and technological development.
As a real-world case study of a successful setup in Gran Canaria, the delegation gained firsthand insight into the experience of Gigglebug Entertainment, an international animation studio operating on the island since 2024. Its management and technical team shared their 2D animation workflow, which balances developing proprietary intellectual property with high-profile service work for major global brands, including titles such as The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti and 101 Dalmatian Street (Disney), Best & Bester (Nickelodeon), The Last Kids on Earth (Atomic Cartoons) and the animated feature Merry Little Batman (Warner Bros. Animation).
Looking for a hub to develop your video game, animation, or audiovisual projects? Contact Best in Gran Canaria to discover what Gran Canaria can offer your company.
13 international production companies and location managers visit Gran Canaria to discover the advantages of filming on the island
The delegation, made up of 13 producers, location managers and audiovisual executives from the United States, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom explored Gran Canaria’s locations and production resources to assess incorporating them into future audiovisual projects.
This week, Gran Canaria welcomed professionals specializing in location scouting to get a firsthand look at the possibilities the island has to offer. The initiative presents those responsible for choosing filming destinations with a mix of diverse landscapes, solid infrastructure, specialized services, and competitive tax incentives.
Among the companies taking part in this visit were Disney & 20th Century Studios, Squib, Goldheart, Nafta, ITV Studios and Sunshine Film Locations.
During their stay, the delegation learned about the Canary Islands Economic and Tax Regime (REF) and the benefits of the ZEC (Canary Islands Special Zone) for company establishment. In the case of international productions, audiovisual incentives provide access to tax deductions of up to 54% on the first million euros of eligible expenses incurred in the Canary Islands, and 45% on the remainder, both subject to applicable requirements.
A diversity of landscapes on a single island
Gran Canaria combines urban environments, traditional architecture, coastal areas, mountains, and desert landscapes. This variety accommodates different narrative needs within the same island, reducing travel time between locations. The international producers and scouts experienced this firsthand by visiting multiple sites across the island.
This wide and varied range of outdoor settings is complemented by the Gran Canaria Platós studio facilities, managed by the Economic Development Agency of Gran Canaria (SPEGC), which the delegation also visited to explore opportunities for indoor shooting. The visit’s agenda included meetings with Gran Canaria production companies and audiovisual firms to learn about available services and capabilities for potential collaborations.
Gran Canaria, the best destination for your next production
The Gran Canaria Film Commission, an initiative of the SPEGC, provides information and advice on locations, tax incentives, and production resources. This support streamlines project preparation and facilitates connections with the local industry.
Looking for locations for your next production? Contact the Gran Canaria Film Commission and discover the possibilities Gran Canaria has to offer.
This event is co-funded by the Regional Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade of the Government of the Canary Islands, as part of the Best in Gran Canaria Project.
The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s Science and Technology Park is home to 65 companies connected to the university ecosystem
The Science and Technology Park at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) is establishing itself as an attractive base for technology companies and innovative businesses seeking to collaborate with the university and access skilled professionals and research talent.
With 65 companies and more than 500 professionals, the Science & Technology Park brings together a business community offering solutions in software development, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud services, cybersecurity, telecommunications and electronics. These capabilities serve sectors including tourism, healthcare, industry, natural resource management and oceanography. ULPGC’s knowledge and expertise add value to these projects.
Located on the university campus, just minutes from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Science & Technology Park gives companies easy access to research teams, skilled professionals and the island’s business community.
Companies based at the Science & Technology Park also benefit from advice and information to help them make the most of its resources, activities and opportunities for collaboration.
If you are considering establishing or expanding your business in Gran Canaria, ULPGC’s Science & Technology Park offers an environment where your project can connect with expertise, talent and an innovative business community.
Best in Gran Canaria can help you assess the options for establishing your business and connect with the right resources and partners to support its development on the island.
Gran Canaria strengthens its appeal for startups and tech companies at Canarias Destino Startup
The Canary Islands' entrepreneurial ecosystem gathered last week in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to congregate at the fourth edition of Canarias Destino Startup, the flagship event for startups, investors, and companies committed to innovation and entrepreneurship across the archipelago.
The Gran Canaria Economic Promotion Agency (SPEGC), the driving force behind the Best in Gran Canaria initiative, was present at the event to highlight the island's unique competitive value as a destination through the presentation ‘Advantages and Opportunities for Tech Companies in Gran Canaria’. Attendees also learned about available resources-such as advisory services, identifying incentives, and financing options-designed to support the establishment and growth of tech companies and the scaling of startups.
Through the Best in Gran Canaria initiative, businesses and projects considering establishing themselves on the island have access to comprehensive guidance and support provided by the SPEGC to facilitate their landing and integration into the local tech ecosystem.
Are you considering setting up your tech company in Gran Canaria? Get in touch with Best in Gran Canaria and tell us about your project.
Ascentio Europe establishes a base at Gran Canaria to support its European expansion
The subsidiary of Argentine company Ascentio Technologies opens its first European office in Gran Canaria, connecting with the island's aerospace and technology ecosystem.
Ascentio Technologies has chosen Gran Canaria as its base for expansion into Europe. Its subsidiary, Ascentio Europe, is moving into the University of Las Palmas Gran Canaria Science Technology Park, bringing its engineering expertise closer to clients and projects across the European market.
Founded in Argentina in 2008, the company specialises in designing, developing and operating complex technological systems. It develops software, hardware and firmware for the aerospace, industrial, energy and telecommunications sectors.
Technology for space missions
Ascentio develops control centres, planning and simulation systems, scientific data processing solutions and systems engineering for different stages of space missions. The company has contributed to satellite missions and international Earth observation programmes.
A European base in Gran Canaria
Established in 2026, Ascentio Europe is part of the company’s international expansion strategy. Its location at ULPGC’s Science and Technology Park provides opportunities to connect with Gran Canaria businesses, specialist infrastructure, research teams and technology professionals.
Operating from Gran Canaria will also enable the company to benefit from the competitive tax incentives available for its activities in the Canary Islands.
Its arrival adds expertise to the local ecosystem and highlights Gran Canaria’s offering for international technology companies seeking a base to serve the European market.
Considering establishing or expanding your technology business in Gran Canaria? Contact Best in Gran Canaria to explore business locations and the support available for your project.
Argentine production companies discover what Gran Canaria offers the audiovisual industry
A delegation of 16 companies is exploring Gran Canaria’s film incentives, production facilities and opportunities to partner with the local industry.
The visit showcases Gran Canaria as an audiovisual production destination and connects Argentine companies with the island’s professional network. The aim is to explore opportunities for co-production and business establishment, supported by a combination of tax incentives, infrastructure and diverse locations.
Film incentives and production facilities
The delegation learned how the Canary Islands Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) supports audiovisual production, alongside the opportunities available through the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) for companies setting up on the island. International productions can benefit from tax rebates of up to 54% on the first €1 million of eligible expenditure in the Canary Islands and 45% on the remaining eligible spend, subject to the applicable requirements.
The programme also included a visit to Gran Canaria Platós, the studios managed by SPEGC, to explore their indoor filming capabilities. Beyond the studios, Gran Canaria offers a wide choice of outdoor locations and a climate that supports filming throughout the year.
Connecting with the local industry
Meetings with production companies and audiovisual service providers based in Gran Canaria helped the delegation identify potential partners, source local talent and services, and discuss co-production opportunities.
The mission gives Argentine companies a direct insight into the island’s production capabilities and helps build relationships for future projects.
Considering Gran Canaria for your next production? Get in touch with the Gran Canaria Film Commission for advice on filming locations, tax incentives and local production services.