Gran Canaria stands out at the World Aquaculture Conference in Ecuador for its potential as a testbed
Gran Canaria stood out as a testbed at the World Aquaculture Conference held in Ecuador - a country which invoices 2 billion Euros per year in this sector - thanks to its potential as a testbed for the aquaculture and marine biotechnology industries.
The commercial expedition that travelled to Guayaquil, in Ecuador, was led by the Councillor for Economic Development of the Island Council (Cabildo) of Gran Canaria, Raúl García Brink, who was accompanied by representatives of the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) and of the Primary Sector and Food Sovereignty Office of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, by a technician from the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) and a director from the firm Langostino Real based in the town of Ingenio.
The Cabildo organised a day session to reveal the business opportunities Gran Canaria offers to the aquaculture and marine biotechnology industries, which was attended by representatives of the leading companies in the industry. The expedition from Gran Canaria also learnt about the work carried out at the prawn nurseries run by Biogemar, which signed an agreement with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to share knowledge and technology to genetically improve larvae.
During the visit, García Brink, announced that the Cabildo of Gran Canaria is considering the possibility of starting an R&D&I project with companies from Gran Canaria and Ecuador, which would have the collaboration of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and would help "boost the rearing of larvae and supplying the emerging European market".
Some Ecuadorean companies in the prawn industry stated that they do not rule out diversifying their activities within the territory of the European Union, "focused on the production of a distinct product and with a high added value as is the case with fresh prawn", added the Councillor.
Gran Canaria is promoting itself as a marine biotechnology business platform in Canada
A delegation from Gran Canaria of representatives of the Island Council's Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) and the Spanish Algae Bank (BEA) attended the Biomarine Convention in Canada to promote Gran Canaria as a marine biotechnology business platform.
Under the umbrella of the brand 'Best in Gran Canaria', the delegation was able to contact over twenty companies to share information about the attractions of the island for companies to set up business there, such as its tax benefits, climate, air connectivity and its proximity to Africa, which sparked the interest of international investors due to the infrastructure and business and research potential the island offers.
Gran Canaria is known as a centre for scientific institutions such as the Spanish Algae Bank, the Canary Islands Technological Institute and the Ecoaqua University Institute, which are an international benchmark for the algae biotechnology sector. The Spanish Algae Bank located in Telde, has a collection of over 1,600 strains from the macaronesic region and participates in research projects such as Rebeca from the Interreg-Mac Europe Meeting, which endeavours to showcase these strains and identify the potential of its compounds for the market.
The delegation from Gran Canaria, the only one representing Spain in this event, held a meeting with the minister in charge of implementing maritime strategy, Jean D'Amour, who outlined a € 1.5 billion investment in the coming years to create 22,000 jobs in the blue economy.
Moreover, contact was made with representatives of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Union, responsible for the Atlantic Action Plan, who pointed out that the so-called 'blue growth' stands out as a priority area to opt for funded R&D projects.
An opportunity for agreements and business
The main organiser of Biomarine 2017, Pierre Erwes, highlighted his support for Gran Canaria in the bioeconomy sector, and placed the island as "one of the hot spots to generate important projects”.
Biomarine gathered, in its 4th edition, 400 participants among which were investors, entrepreneurs and scientists with links to the marine biotechnology industry, who analysed the industry's main trends, and held working and business meetings with participants.
Most of the businesses that registered engage in the extraction of bioactive compounds, from macro and microalgae, the applications of which are of interest for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and human and animal nutrition industries, although they also have other applications such as natural pigments for the textile industry.
The Nomad City puts Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the ‘top ten’ of the Nomad List
Over 200 digital nomads and remote workers from over 30 countries met in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at the Nomad City, an event which has managed to place the capital of Gran Canaria in the 'top ten' of the Nomad List, an international ranking of ideal cities for these types of workers.
The ‘Nomad List’ collects specific data from each city, such as internet speed, safety, access to culture or leisure and weather. In this context, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with a score of 4.8 out of 5, ranks 6th out of hundreds of destinations analysed, thanks to its healthcare system, the possibility of touring the city by foot and road safety. The list also highlights its safety, internet speed, freedom of expression and quality of life, among other factors.
The Nomad City gathered over 200 digital nomads in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria between 18th and 24th September with the aim of turning the island into a leading work centre for remote workers.
The organisers of the project, who had the backing of the Island Council (Cabildo de Gran Canaria), through the Tourist Board and the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC), and the Town Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, stressed the importance of this event to attract professionals and companies from different business areas and countries, taking advantage of the fact that the island has appropriate infrastructures and facilities, services which are of a European standard, excellent connectivity and great quality of life.
In addition to the training workshops, during the event participants were able to learn about the opportunities and advantages the island has to offer for startups and remote workers or digital nomads, as well as its particular tax features and financial support which they can benefit from in the Canary Islands, its suitability as an environment to develop business and its connectivity with Europe, African and America.
The Toronto Film Festival: the Gran Canaria Film Commission's new destination for promotion
A delegation of the Gran Canaria Film Commission will participate between 7th and 11th September in the Toronto Film Festival where, under the umbrella of Canary Islands Film, it will reveal the advantages offered by Gran Canaria, and the Canary Islands in general, to shoot movies.
Among the potential attractions of the island for filming, the tax incentives, which have been improved after Corporate Tax Law was changed by the Government last June, are worthy of mention.
The expedition from the Canary Islands will present these tax incentives and other attractions for production in our territory during a working breakfast scheduled for 11th September, with over 40 producers having confirmed their attendance.
Furthermore, the representatives of the GFCF and other bodies who travelled to Toronto will hold individual meetings with producers interested in learning about the advantages of shooting in the Canary Islands. These meetings will take place at a location made available by Audiovisual From Spain.
The Toronto International Film Festival has become one of the world's leading film events, and is universally considered as an ideal platform for film-makers to launch their careers, which is why the promotion work carried out by the Gran Canaria Film Commission is so important.
Over 200 professionals from around 30 countries meet in Gran Canaria on the occasion of the Nomad City
The 2nd edition of the Nomad City, an event with international exposure geared towards "remote" workers, i.e. professionals who are teleworkers, was presented in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Wednesday, 6th September. The event will gather in excess of 200 participants from over 30 countries mid-September in the city.
This initiative, which will take place from 18th to 24th September, seeks to turn Gran Canaria into a leading work centre both nationally and internationally for teleworkers. Nomad City 2017 was presented this morning at the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) centre by the organisers of the event, who have the backing of the Island Council (Cabildo de Gran Canaria), through the Tourist Board and the SPEGC, and the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This support for the Nomad City forms part of the promotion strategy developed by the Cabildo to make Gran Canaria a destination for professionals and businesses from different industries, and is being put into action by the SPEGC and the initiative Best in Gran Canaria.
After having exceeded all expectations in its first edition, Nomad City presented the second, with important novelties. Firstly, the focus of the event has shifted from digital nomads (that is, professionals who work while they travel) to "remote" workers (teleworkers who have no need to be constantly travelling). This change entails a shift in strategy, the aim of which is to develop the digital economy on the island. Moreover, this year the event will be enriched by a full day of workshops aimed at digital marketing, professional growth and increasing the knowledge needed to find remote work.
The main characteristic of "remote" workers is that they work away from any given place, since they do not require a specific physical space to work, which means that they can carry out their work remotely. The Canary Islands as a destination is on the rise for these professionals, as it holds numerous attractions, such as its pleasant climate, natural resources, ample leisure opportunities, quality of life, reasonable cost of living, good air connectivity and excellent broadband connection.
Nomad City will be a week filled with activities to show participants the potential Gran Canaria has for all those teleworkers who are looking for a high quality place to set up temporarily. The programme Nomad City 2017 includes lifestyle experiences, such as surfing, hiking, orienteering, dolphin sightings, activities to discover the principal sites in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, after-work meetings, training sessions and talks by leading professionals and businesses, such as Upwork, Toptal and Seven Career Coaching, who will address various topics about teleworking and the future of the job market.
At the same time, upon conclusion of the Nomad City week, for the third time running, the Nomad Cruise will sail from the Port of Las Palmas, with hundreds of "remote" workers and digital nomads on board who, between 25th September and 8th October, will sail across the ocean bound for Panama.
For further information:
www.nomadcity.org
The ULPGC, the PCULPGC Foundation and the Ecuadorian company BIOGEMAR collaborate on genetically improving white shrimp
The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the Canary Islands Foundation ULPGC Science and Technology Park, signed an agreement for collaboration with the Ecuadorian company Biogemar to research the genetics of white shrimp.
Thanks to this agreement, the ULPGC will study the "Implementation of a programme of genetic improvement for the production of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)" for a period of five years and a total cost of €1,010,000 for its execution. The results of this project will be sent to the Ecuadorian biotechnology and marine genetics company, Biogemar S.A.
With an average annual production in excess of 3,6 billion post-larvae, Biogemar has emerged as one of the sector's leading businesses in Ecuador. It mainly produces shrimp nauplia and larvae, using responsible production strategies, applying cutting-edge technology and meeting the highest quality standards to improve and preserve the genetic quality of Ecuador's shrimp.
In its commitment to support technological progress in Ecuadorian aquaculture through scientific research, Biogemar, from Santa Elena, routinely collaborates with international science groups.
On this occasion, Biogemar has placed its trust in the ULPGC's Aquaculture Research Group (GIA), attached to the University Institute for the Research of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA), to develop this research, which will be headed by Professor Juan Manuel Afonso López.
The manager of the Ecuadorian firm, Walter Intriago Díaz, was in Gran Canaria this week to sign the collaboration agreement with the ULPGC and to visit the facilities of the GIA of the University Institute for the Research of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems.
The Cabildo and Indra launch Ventures4GranCanaria to identify disruptive ideas associated with Gran Canaria's challenges as a smart island
The Island Council (Cabildo) of Gran Canaria and Indra, one of the world's main consulting and technology companies, launched today the challenge Ventures4GranCanaria to boost technological entrepreneurship and the creation of startups associated with smart technology in areas that are strategic for the island: tourism, energy, the environment, marine and coastal, industry 4.0, smart cities, mobility, cibersecurity, social and citizen participation.
Ventures4GranCanaria is an initiative promoted by the Cabildo, through the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC), and Indra, in collaboration with the Town Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), CaixaBank and Satocan.
This is a call open to the entire national and even international innovative ecosystem, from entrepreneurs or students to universities, spinoffs and technological centres, among others, to present technology-based business initiatives at various stages of maturity, including those at the seed phase.
During his presentation, the president of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, highlighted the importance of working with Indra given its potential, with over 40,000 employees and operations in 140 countries. Morales emphasised, therefore, that Ventures4GranCanaria is an incredibly attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs, as it makes financial support available for the winning proposals - no less than 10,000 Euros for the winner, as well as a further 3 prizes - and an incubation and acceleration stage for the 10 finalists of up to 6 months duration.
The manager of Indraventures, David Pascual, explained that as well as applying to the reality of Gran Canaria, the use of innovative technology and its disruptive focus, it would be desirable that the proposals have a clear business potential, viability to develop within a period of one to two years, and the ability to grow and internationalise (scalability).
As far as initiatives are concerned, the managing director of the SPEGC, Raúl García Brink, explained that there is an essential requirement that they be aligned with smart technology and special attention will be paid to those related to the development priorities identified in the Canary Islands Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3), which sets out preferred areas of investment in RD&I on the island until 2020.
Financial support and technological, financial and industrial acceleration
Persons or organisations interested in participating in Ventures4GranCanaria may submit their proposals until 1st September 2017 through Indra's platform iParticipa hosted in www.indraventures4grancanaria.com. Participants who have submitted at least one proposal will be able to make comments and vote on the initiatives on this platform.
Representatives of Indraventures, Indra's vehicle to reinforce the relationship with the entrepreneurial ecosystem and fund initiatives, and from the SPEGC, will select the 10 finalists. A jury formed by members from all the collaborating organisations will subsequently select the 3 winning initiatives, to which a fourth will be added, the initiative with the highest number of votes from the participants, which will receive the Community Prize.
The Community Prize winner will receive 3,000 Euros, with 4,000 Euros for the idea placed third. The prize for the runner-up will be 5,000 Euros, while the initiative chosen as winner by the jury will be rewarded with double that amount, 10,000 Euros. The four ideas will be presented to Indra's Innovation Committee to analyse and identify possible collaborations and synergies for them to be developed.
In addition, the 10 final proposals and the one with the highest number of votes from the participants will have access to an initial advice and support package for their incubation and acceleration for a period of 6 months, offered by the SPEGC, Indra and the collaborating organisations. This support will be defined in accordance with the particular needs of each initiative, and will always include technological acceleration from Indra, financial acceleration from CaixaBank and industrial acceleration from Satocan for the proposals and new tourism businesses.
Innovation as the engine for development
With Ventures4GranCanaria, the Cabildo contributes to promoting entrepreneurship and the development of new businesses in areas that are strategic for the development of the island, but also to placing it as a centre of attraction of innovative and entrepreneurial talent that wants to meet its challenges. The objective is for the wining startups to be associated with Gran Canaria and develop on the island.
The challenge progresses, as well, along the lines of the initiative referred to as Gran Canaria Smart Island from the Cabildo, in which various island departments coordinated by the SPEGC participated, and which consists of providing the island with telecommunications infrastructures, sensorisation and analysis to obtain data and turn them into knowledge, to identify what the island and its citizens and visitors need, whether detecting forest fires or water leaks.
With regard to Indra, Ventures4GranCanaria is the first external call that the company launches through Indraventure within the framework of an innovation model that seeks to strategically accelerate and extend the ability to generate and gather ideas that are potentially attractive for Indra's future offer.
The company has fostered this first initiative in Gran Canaria because its strategic interests in innovation coincide and are aligned with the priorities of the Canary Islands Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3). Therefore, the objective is to identify and boost innovative initiatives in the smart technology field, that may be of interest for the business and promote their presence on the island.
The website to submit your projects is www.indraventures4grancanaria.com.
Submission of the initiative. Download here.
Businesses and organisations from Gran Canaria establish business links in Norway at Nor-Shipping, the largest European offshore industry event
A commercial delegation from Gran Canaria, comprising 15 businesspeople and public representatives travelled to the Nor-Shipping event in Norway to promote the Island to 130 investors from the shipping, logistics and port industries, and where 30 meetings were held.
The effort made to attend the event, one of Europe's most important for the shipping industry, falls within the actions taken by the brand Best in Gran Canaria and included representatives of the Gran Canaria Island Council (Cabildo) through its Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Foreign Trade Institute, the Canary Islands Special Zone, the Las Palmas Port Authority, the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce and the Canary Islands Shipping Cluster.
Furthermore, the members of the delegation participated in the seminary "Business Opportunities in Spain", which was attended by over 60 Scandinavian investors and organisations and in which representatives of the Canary Islands Special Zone introduced the characteristics and importance of the shipping industry in the Canaries.
Three leading international companies, the British firm, Rolls-Royce, and two Norwegian firms, Otech and CCB Zamakona, have successfully set up their businesses in the Port of Las Palmas to offer their services to oil rigs, large cargo and passenger vessels and fishing trawlers. So much so that their managers have offered their testimonials, in various forums, to recommend investing and setting up business in Gran Canaria, not just because of its fiscal advantages, but because of its location, facilities, climate and people.
This mission to Norway represents an opportunity to promote the island to the strong shipping and North European Blue Economy industries and will help foster bilateral relations between Norway and Gran Canaria.
The brand Best in Gran Canaria
The brand Best in Gran Canaria, promoted by the Cabildo, comprises the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Government Representation Office, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Chamber of Commerce, Casa Africa, the Confederation of Canary Employers, the Las Palmas City Council, Ports of Las Palmas, the Foreign Trade Institute, the Free Trade Zone, the Shipping Cluster and the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC).
Its website http://localhost/bestingc/ introduces the island as the ideal place to thrive due to its tax and investment advantages and because it offers a privileged environment for business, owing to the great links with its port and airport, the safety of the destination, all the services on offer, whether to do with health or education, its great city and the world's best climate. In short, it is the ideal place to work and live, an advantageous combination scarce to come by in this world.
The SPEGC presented the lines of support and financial advice it offers to entrepreneurs and innovative businesses
The president of the Island Council of Gran Canaria (Cabildo), Antonio Morales, emphasised that over 75 entrepreneurs and businesspeople learnt about the new lines of support to entrepreneurs and innovative businesses that the Cabildo, through the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) and the Science and Technology Park Foundation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has developed to "boost diversification of the island's productive fabric".
Financial institutions such as Enisa, MicroBank and Banco Sabadell participated in this event and presented their various funding lines aimed both at entrepreneurs and innovative businesses.
Morales explained that over the past two years the Cabildo has been developing "a support policy for all the entrepreneurial initiatives that bring new business and try to innovate with their products and services, providing access to funding to promote RD&I".
The programmes for creation and speeding-up of projects, the advice and training service, the offer of incubation spaces and support for access to funding are services offered by the Cabildo aimed at the formation of businesses and entrepreneurs, and were developed with attention to detail by the managing director of the SPEGC, Cosme García Falcón.
The managing director of Enisa, Bruno Fernández Scrimieri, presented the Enisa Lines and Shareholder loans, for young entrepreneurs (under the age of 40), entrepreneurs (over the age of 40) with new business ideas and growing enterprises, also aimed at the sector which is starting out in business.
Joaquín Vega Marichal, CaixaNegocios and BusinessBank D.T. Canarias Specialist, provided all the details about MicroBank's Innovation Microcredit , aimed at funding innovative business projects initiated by entrepreneurs.
And the director of SMEs at Banco Sabadell, Daniel Bazán Lorenzo, explained the features of the BStartup Programme, aimed at supporting innovative entrepreneurs so that their projects may be developed with the best chances of success.
Services to innovative businesses
García Falcón explained that the SPEGC offers innovative businesses an "RD&I funding advice service, a training service, and from September 2017, a service of support to the growth and internationalisation of businesses".
All the entrepreneurs and businesspeople who wish to do so can find out about all these funding lines and receive advice on other matters through the SPEGC's Business Support Service (SAE), which will accompany those requesting this service throughout the process until applications are submitted to various financial institutions.
The regional councillor of Economic Development, Energy and RD&I of the Cabildo, Raúl Garciá Brink, closed the event by encouraging all attendees to obtain in-depth knowledge of the services offered by the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria through its "Business Support Service, its training schemes and the work spaces it offers".
Over twenty Spanish ICT companies show interest in the benefits of setting up in Gran Canaria
The Gran Canaria Economic Promotion Society (SPEGC) and the Microsoft Global Sports Innovation Center held an event in which over twenty Spanish ICT companies showed interest in the pros of setting up business in Gran Canaria.
In this way, the Island Council (Cabildo) continues its strategy of promoting the island as a destination for investment and welcoming firms by means of its external brand “Best in Gran Canaria”, and with this in mind a delegation of the SPEGC went to Madrid to hold talks with possible investors.
The President of the Herbalife Gran Canaria Basketball Club, Miguel Angel Betancor, and the Director of the UD Las Palmas Football Club, Patricio Viñayo were present at “Innovation and Sport in Gran Canaria: opportunities for investment and business for start-ups and SMEs”, and shared their respective strategies for innovation with the firms that attended the event.
The Director of the SPEGC, Cosme Garcia, explained to those present the main reasons for setting up business in Gran Canaria and, to emphasise its innovative environment, spoke of its technological incubators, shared offices and work spaces, both public and private, and the island’s important tourist market, as well as its enviable quality of life.
He also remarked on the possibility of companies having access to “local talent, which is highly qualified on account of the wide-ranging offer of educational opportunities in Gran Canaria”.
The extensive range of fiscal incentives in the islands, and the instruments of public and private financing and other support for recruitment, training and research available in Gran Canaria were a further part of his address.
The representatives of several of the ICT firms that were present at the event were able to have personal and individual talks with both the representatives of the SPEGC and those of the Gran Canaria Basketball Club and UD Las Palmas Football Club.
Global Sports Innovation Center
The purpose of the Global Sports Innovation Center is to improve the chain of value of the sports industry and become a world leader by taking advantage of the most advanced technology and facilitating contact between all sorts of firms, from start-ups to consolidated medium and large-sized companies.
Located in the heart of Madrid, it offers technological services, solutions and programmes that satisfy the needs of all members of the public, including students, entrepreneurs, governments and industries. With this in mind, their facilities have areas to meet all their needs.