‘Ports of Spain Tradetech Fund’ (#Ports4.0) is now open and Gran Canaria is the BEST location to benefit from it. Find out why!
The Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA) has given the green light for the Ports 4.0 Fund, which has already opened the application period for ideas and projects. For the current year 2020, the aids to be granted within the framework of this call amount to €12 million.
The Ports 4.0 Fund is an initiative by the 28 Spanish State Port Authorities, including the Port Authority of Las Palmas. It is the most important disruptive project for the adaptation of the Spanish logistic-port sector to the 4.0 economy and has emerged as a model of open innovation for companies and professionals from any background and origin, whether already operating in the maritime industry or not.
This call is looking for market-oriented innovative solutions (products, services or processes) which benefit the logistics-port community in any part of its value chain.
Eligibility, financial support and submission period:
- Open to companies or entrepreneurs of any nationality, regardless of its nature (public and private).
- The Fund covers three lines depending on TRL: IDEAS (TRL 1 -2), PROJECTS IN PRE-COMMERCIAL PHASE (TRL 3 to 6), PROJECT IN COMMERCIAL PHASE (TRL 7 to 9).
- In addition to the financing (non-refundable), a unique program is offered, including technical support to support in the application process and the possibility of accessing the services of incubation/acceleration by consultants and national experts.
- In the case of Ideas, the aid will consist of a fixed and invariable amount of €15,000
- For Projects in the pre-commercial phase, support will consist of a maximum amount of 60% of the budget directly associated to innovation, capped at €1 million. Minimum project size is €50,000 in innovation-related expenditure.
- For Projects in the commercial phase, support will consist of a maximum amount of 80% of the budget directly associated to innovation, capped at €2 million. Minimum project size is €100,000 in innovation-related expenditure.
- The applications for ideas and projects shall be submitted within two and three months, respectively, from the day following the publication of the call (27/07/2020)
Read the terms and conditions and register your submission at https://ports40.es/.
National call, local delivery
Whereas the call is open on a national scale, there are several reasons that explain why Gran Canaria is the ideal base to run your idea/project:
- ‘Ports 4.0 Incubator’ HQ: Gran Canaria is home to ‘Ports4.0 Fund’ HQ in the Canary Islands. All other 13 bases are located in mainland Spain. SPEGC supports in the soft-landing process.
- Location: The ‘Port of Las Palmas’ is a well-known EU-port located at the heart of Atlantic traffics, right at the gateway of West Africa and the 'Deepwater's Golden Triangle'. Thanks to its weather, year-round activity is guaranteed with no testing/ops. restrictions.
- Port Size & Scope: Welcome to an upgraded service-centre covering all sort of traffics and maritime activity (Transhipment node, Bunkering, Repairs, Supplies, O&G). No other port in West Africa covers as many services as Las Palmas.
- Maritime Cluster: 1xFull-range deepsea port + 10xSmaller port facilities + 1xOffshore Reasearch Centre (PLOCAN), including sizable shipyards, workshops, suppliers and port terminals with global reach that are ready to enter into partnership agreements.
- Tax advantages: Up to 75% deduction on R&D-related costs (vs. 45% ib mainland Spain), cashback available.
- Soft finance: Other streams of aid are readily available to support you through the project cycle.
When you choose Gran Canaria (Port of Las Palmas), you choose not only a consolidated maritime hub but also a growth partner for your idea/project.
Sodecan launches new credit facilities for innovative SMEs
The Canary Islands Economic Development Company (Sodecan) announced the new credit facilities for SMEs under the ‘Canarias Financia 1’ Fund to promote creation and development of innovative SMEs in the Canary Islands today.
The fund has a budget of €2.5 million for financing of projects during 2020, with private investors expected to contribute an amount equivalent to 20% of the total contribution by the ERDF.
The main features of the equity loans announced today are as follows:
1. Credit line for creation of innovative micro-businesses and SMEs
- Beneficiaries: micro-businesses or SMEs with their registered office or permanent base in the Canary Islands.
- Amount: Between €25,000 and €200,000 per project, with a maximum of 85% of the total eligible expenses of the project. The promoter must contribute the remaining 15% as a minimum from its own funds.
- Maximum grace period: 5 years
- Maximum term of the loan: 10 years
- No commissions.
- Interest rate:
- Fixed portion: 1-year Euribor + 3.35% (maximum rate 1-year Euribor + 8%)
- Variable portion depending on the evolution of the company activity.
2. Development line for innovative SMEs
- Beneficiaries: SMEs with their registered office or permanent base in the Canary Islands.
- Amount: Between €25,000 and €500,000 per project, with a maximum of 40% of the total eligible expenses of the project.
- Maximum grace period: 5 years
- Maximum term of the loan: 10 years
- No commissions.
- Interest rate:
- Fixed portion: 1-year Euribor + 3.35% (maximum rate 1-year Euribor + 8%)
- Variable portion depending on the evolution of the company activity.
Refer to the full announcement for more information on these products.
And if you prefer, keep informed with our Support Service for Companies! We can help you to prepare your application.
We keep working for you
Both the members of 'Best in Gran Canaria' and the whole team at SPEGC/Department of Economic Development keep working to adjust our services to the temporary situation caused by COVID-19.
Gran Canaria remains as a preferential destination for investments and business operations, an ideal environment to implement your growth plans. Business, professional and personal projects can equally be accelerated from Gran Canaria. We will be pleased to provide information, support and local intel.
You may reach us via the following channels:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- +34 696 17 01 94
Please remember that we are also available via Linkedin:
Also, we will shortly deploy a new functionality, allowing you to directly book videocalls with any of our team members at 'Best in Gran Canaria'/SPEGC.
Thanks for your understanding!
The Gran Canaria Island Council and the CDTI present in Madrid the consultation for procurement of innovations in water desalination
This morning, the CDTI and the Gran Canaria Island Council presented in Madrid the Preliminary Market Consultation carried out to determine the degree of development of technology in the field of saltwater desalination.
The Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), a public business entity under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Gran Canaria Island Council have launched this public consultation to foster pre-commercial public procurement of innovations in the field of water desalination.
The results of the public consultation will be used by the CDTI to gather the necessary information to define the technical specifications of possible future projects offered for tender.
The consultation is open to the public and is intended for public and/or private physical or legal persons, whether individuals or constituted as joint ventures. Various proposals may by presented by the same party, whether individually or jointly with other parties.
This initiative, one of 7 selected from among more than 270 proposals, will involve participation by the Agency for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria, the Gran Canaria Water Council and the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC).
The CDTI launches a public consultation on innovative technological solutions in the field of water desalination
The Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), a public business entity under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Gran Canaria Island Council have launched a public consultation to foster pre-commercial public procurement of innovations in the field of water desalination.
More specifically, it aims to promote participation by businesses currently active in the market in the presentation of innovative saltwater desalination proposals with a specific energy consumption of less than 2.0 kWh/m3, minimal environmental impact and integration of initiatives to foster a circular economy.
The results of the public consultation will be used by the CDTI to gather the necessary information to define the technical specifications of possible future projects offered for tender.
The consultation is open to the public and is intended for public and/or private physical or legal persons, whether individuals or constituted as joint ventures. Various proposals may by presented by the same party, whether individually or jointly with other parties.
The deadline for presentation of proposals is 45 calendar days from the date of publication of the Resolution on the Public Sector Procurement Platform and on the CDTI website.
This initiative, one of 7 selected from among more than 270 proposals, will involve participation by the Agency for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria, the Gran Canaria Water Council and the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC).
This coming 6 February, the Event Hall of the CDTIC located in calle Cid No. 4 will be hosting a joint event with the Gran Canaria Island Council to present the Preliminary Market Consultation carried out to determine the degree of development of technology in the field of saltwater desalination.
Click the following link to see the programme for this event and the registration details:
The Technology Park reaches 100 companies employing 850 workers
The Gran Canaria Science and Technology Park is now home to 100 companies employing more than 850 professionals on the Tafira Campus and the fairground, the two spaces managed by the Science and Technology Park Foundation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the Agency for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria respectively.
The faiground facilities provide employment for 294 professionals working in 35 companies, while the multi-purpose buildings located on the University Campus are home to 65 companies employing 558 workers.
Over the last four years, the Agency for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria and the Science and Technology Park Foundation of the ULPGC have welcomed a total of 79 companies onto the premises managed by these two entities.
These businesses have an innovative and technological profile and specialise in fields such as software development, advanced business services, engineering, digital animation, post-production services and digital marketing.
The majority of these companies are micro-SMEs employing highly qualified staff. In fact, 60% of the employees have university studies and another 25% have completed postgraduate studies.
Nomad City Gran Canaria consolidates its presence with the support of the SPEGC
Companies such as Microsoft, Basecamp, Automattic, Whereby, Future Lab Berlin, Doist and the Remote Work Association will be analysing the future of location-flexible work during the 4th edition of Nomad City Gran Canaria. This event sponsored by the SPEGC, the Tourism Board and the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council is now the leading event for the sector at a European level.
These workshops, conferences and work sessions for both individuals and teams or companies will allow the 300 participants from more than 25 countries to learn more about this worldwide trend which is increasingly popular and constantly growing.
Due to the event’s growth and popularity, the organisers have decided to introduce a new format: the Nomad City Summit, an invitation-only think-tank limited to 60 experts to engage in high-level debate regarding aspects of remote working.
Changes have also been made to the 16 workshops offered this year, which will consist of one-hour master classes with two different tracks: one intended for individuals and another for teams and companies. The participants will also be able to alternate between sessions and self-organise their agenda.
These personal and professional experiences at Nomad City Gran Canaria will give an insight into the current situation of remote working around the world, its evolution over the last few years and its future perspectives.
There will also be discussion of its limitations and advantages, offering tips for self-employed professionals and tools to improve collaboration projects. The participants will also consider how remote working is affecting the global economy, its social impact and how companies can benefit from digitalisation and flexibilisation of work models.
This year there will also be job opportunities for local talent and participants at the conference through the “Remote Work Fair”, whereby the organisers will facilitate contacts between candidates and companies offering remote work opportunities.
‘Pocoyo’ animated series to be produced in Gran Canaria
The new chapters of Pocoyo, the most internationally successful Spanish animated series, will be produced in Gran Canaria with an estimated investment of €3 million and participation by a team of 70 professionals.
The announcement was made today by the President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales, and the management and co-producers of the series, Zinkia CEO Víctor López and co-founder of Koyi, Luis Armengol.
The production of this new season, consisting of 36 chapters of 7 minutes each and 20 musical video clips, will be carried out in the studios located in the facilities of the Agency for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) in the fairground.
As well as being the base for production of the new adventures of Pocoyo, Gran Canaria will also be hosting a pioneering project for the brand: the Pocoyo Forest, an initiative aimed at contributing to reforestation of the island, which was devastated by wildfires last August that destroyed 10,000 ha of woodland. In this way, it hopes to raise awareness among younger children of the importance of protecting the environment and preventing these types of disasters.
This plan will be implemented with funding by Zinkia and Koyi to plant the first 1,000 trees of the Pocoyo Forest. In addition, the project will be financed with the sales of a line of products that will include T-shirts, hats and backpacks with the Pocoyo Forest brand.
The management of the Company hope that the Pocoyo Forest will be the beginning of a much larger project, with the aim of reaching a total of 15,000 trees planted, the average number of children born each year in the Canary Islands.
Pocoyo, a leader in the animation sector
The new season of Pocoyo continues with its characteristic themes and language, combined with music that creates a unique world and has become the soundtrack for the early years of life of various generations. Values such as respect, tolerance, friendship, learning and the curiosity of the main character continue to be ever present in this new season.
Since it was first released in 2005 in the United Kingdom, the Pocoyo series has been screened on more than 150 TV channels around the world, making it one of the most well-known children’s series with 38 international awards, including the BAFTA Children’s Award.
It is currently one of the most successful children’s programmes on YouTube, with a total of over 16 million subscribers surpassing 16 billion views. Pocoyo is also present on another 40 VoD platforms, including Netflix, HBO and Amazon. It features in 50 apps that have accumulated more than 52 million downloads and millions of toys, books, clothing articles and countless other products have been marketed under its licence.
Gran Canaria promotes its seven animation studios before 1,000 attendees at the Cartoon Forum
The Gran Canaria Film Commission was present at the Cartoon Forum 2019, an event held in Toulouse (France) and attended by 1,000 agents representing producers and companies in the animation industry, along with 280 investors and television channels searching for new productions to incorporate into their schedules.
This very successful event gives projects in the pre-production phase the opportunity to present their work to financers, distributors and licensors with a view to securing their support for the post-production phase.
The Gran Canaria Film Commission offered information on the seven animation studios currently based on the Island, inviting the participants to cooperate with them on productions currently being developed or in the pipeline.
The Film Commission also presented Gran Canaria as the perfect ecosystem for developing projects still in the production or planning phase, not only due to the existence of the studios already established on the island, but also the tax advantages and administrative support available.
Ghanaian authorities and entrepreneurs discover the opportunities offered by Gran Canaria
The SPEGC, via the ‘Best in Gran Canaria’ initiative, participated during the 1st Spain-Ghana Tourism and Trade Forum. This event was organised by the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, Canary Consulting & Trading and the Africa Mentoring Development Consortium (UAMDC), with the support of the SPEGC and the Tourism Board. Its aim is to reinforce institutional relations and promote the Canary Islands as a business platform.
During the Forum, around 30 authorities, senior officials, diplomats and entrepreneurs from Ghana, headed by the Minister Darko-Mensah, got a first-hand look at the lines of work and objectives of the Best in Gran Canaria initiative, the umbrella brand used by a range of public institutions and universities to attract investment on the island and achieve internationalisation of the local economy.
The inauguration of the Forum, which was also attended by the President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales, highlighted the importance of links between the island and the African continent and Ghana in particular. The model for tourism success in Gran Canaria was also presented as a catalyst for business opportunities and social development.
The event concluded with a specific presentation of the ‘Best in Gran Canaria’ initiative by the SPEGC, with contributions by the Canary Islands Special Zone. Both institutions presented an overview of Gran Canaria’s economy and the business end investment opportunities offered by the island.
The presentation was followed by a series of B2B meetings with the participating companies.
The delegation of Ghanaian companies, from a range of sectors although mainly focused on the tourism, construction and associated service industry, was particularly interested in the local tax regime, Gran Canaria’s safety and the possibility of using the island as a base for transformation of Ghanaian products and a hub for auxiliary communication services and development of apps for the African market.