The interregional Tech FabLab project, which has benefited more than 200 startups and companies in Navarre with the support of the Department of Industry, has come to an end

The interregional Tech FabLab project—in which the Department of Industry and Ecological and Digital Business Transition of the Government of Navarre participated alongside the autonomous communities of La Rioja (which served as coordinator), Cantabria, the Valencian Community, Aragon, and Catalonia—concluded today at the “Start In. Cantabria Summit” event, held in Santander. 

The initiative had an overall budget of 5 million euros and, among other actions, made it possible to launch Hirugarrena in our region. This space, a joint initiative of the Government of Navarre, CEIN, and the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), is dedicated to scientific, technological, and digital entrepreneurship. Six startups are based in the offices and coworking spaces of this new facility, which focuses on entrepreneurs, startups, and the university community.

As part of this project, the Government of Navarre has also made a grant program available to startups with the aim of promoting the creation and consolidation of innovative, technology-based companies. Specifically, 13 startups have benefited from these grants, which totaled 666,724.08 euros. Thanks to this funding, an investment of 2,167,670.98 euros has been mobilized.

For its part, the public entity European Center for Business and Innovation of Navarra (CEIN) has been responsible for developing the initiatives carried out over the past two and a half years as part of Tech FabLab, which focuses on creating digital entrepreneurship networks and in which more than 200 startups and companies from Navarra have participated.

Another initiative that has been carried out is the Open Innovation program, which aims to bring the entrepreneurial ecosystem closer to established companies by solving technological challenges. In its two editions (the second of which is currently underway), 20 companies have participated, posing 37 challenges, and 101 startups have presented 255 potential solutions. 

Through the Startup Leaders training program, new professionals specializing in startup management Startup Leaders developed, with the goal of preparing them to become the future leaders of emerging technology projects. In total, 55 people have completed the program, strengthening their strategic vision and enhancing their leadership and management skills. 

Similarly, as part of the Tech FabLab initiative, programs to accelerate and scale digital startups have been developed in Navarre, resulting in the establishment of 112 companies between 2024, 2025, and 2026. In addition, a Business Angels Club has been created to serve as a forum for connecting innovative ideas with potential investors. 

Finally, thanks to the program, more than 100 startups and projects from the Navarre entrepreneurial ecosystem have been able to participate in international trade shows and conferences (such as the Mobile World Congress or South Summit, for example) and regional events, such as CEIN Startup Day; and have visited other leading entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Closure in Santander

The closing ceremony for the Tech FabLab program took place as part of the Start In. Cantabria Summit, held in Santander, which brought together organizations, startups, investment firms, corporations, and stakeholders from the regions participating in the project to share knowledge, funding opportunities, and networking opportunities.

CEIN’s managing director, Uxue Itoiz, took part in a panel discussion in which she, along with representatives from La Rioja, Aragón, and Valencia, addressed the creation of global startups from regional ecosystems. Similarly, Amaia Urtasun, program coordinator at CEIN, shared examples of best practices.

Startup pitches to investment agents also took place, featuring the Navarran startups Abalo, Cadcert, KAI Knowledge, Relayable, and Elaia. All of these projects have gone through CEIN’s digital accelerator in recent years.

The Tech FabLab project, a support network for digital entrepreneurship with a total budget of 42 million euros, is part of the Regional Networks for Technological Specialization (RETECH) program, launched by the Spanish government as part of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, which is financed with European Next Generation EU funds.