Beatriz Casado: networking and open innovation

Beatriz Casado is director of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ICE, the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León. Beatriz analyses the role of the public authorities, universities and Offices for Transfer of Research Results (OTRIS) in the promotion of innovation. She also highlights the participation of the ICE in the Train the Trainers and OnCampus programmes of The Collider, for which its methodology and market focus particularly stand out.

What are the objectives of the ICE and what is your role as director of its Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

The ICE belongs to the Office of Economy and Finance of the Regional Government of Castilla y León and its role is to promote the competitiveness of its companies in order for them to create more value, wealth and jobs in the region.  

 

At the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we promote, in an interlinked manner, all policies fostering entrepreneurship. We work with companies, knowledge centres, public authorities and associations, among others. We promote policies linked to entrepreneurship, talent and the transfer of knowledge and technology together with technology centres and universities. Special mention should be made of the Innovative Public Procurement (CPI) initiatives piloted by the ICE over recent years. 

 

We also promote innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas and boost R&D and innovation in Castilla y León through government subsidies. Our specific area of focus is digitalisation and, through the Department of Internationalisation and European Programmes, we connect our ecosystem with international research and development ecosystems.  

What are the objectives of the ICE and what is your role as director of its Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

The ICE belongs to the Office of Economy and Finance of the Regional Government of Castilla y León and its role is to promote the competitiveness of its companies in order for them to create more value, wealth and jobs in the region.  

 

At the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we promote, in an interlinked manner, all policies fostering entrepreneurship. We work with companies, knowledge centres, public authorities and associations, among others. We promote policies linked to entrepreneurship, talent and the transfer of knowledge and technology together with technology centres and universities. Special mention should be made of the Innovative Public Procurement (CPI) initiatives piloted by the ICE over recent years. 

 

We also promote innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas and boost R&D and innovation in Castilla y León through government subsidies. Our specific area of focus is digitalisation and, through the Department of Internationalisation and European Programmes, we connect our ecosystem with international research and development ecosystems.  

How would you weigh up your participation in the Train the Trainers and OnCampus programmes of The Collider?

We decided to participate in these programmes of The Collider in order to increase the number of innovative companies in Castilla y León, especially those linked to science and technology, and work with the new methodologies put forward by the programme. And we have reached both objectives!  

 

Train the Trainers has given us the opportunity to network with the OTRIS of Castilla y León, not just universities but also technology centres and research centres such as the CSIC. In Castilla y León, a region characterised by its dispersion, this connectivity and networking is particularly essential. What’s more, the training phase of Train the Trainers is very inspiring, featuring experts such as Josep Piqué and Professor Engels.  

 

On Campus gives us the opportunity to work collaboratively with universities in Castilla y León and with the selected projects, as well as working on shared methodologies. The programme helps researchers in a practical way to change their vision and focus their business models on the market.  

What are the main demands of businesses in terms of R&D and innovation?

In addition to funding, one of the main demands is open innovation; in other words, sharing knowledge.  

 

Another important demand, common throughout Spain, is access to talent. Companies that want to innovate need trained, creative, highly-qualified people with skills in new technologies and digitalisation. These days, however, it can be very difficult to attract and retain this type of talent. 

How can the digital transformation and innovation of companies be boosted?

The digital transformation and innovation of companies requires highly-personalised support, with programmes increasingly tailored to meet the needs of each specific company according to its size, sector, etc. At the ICE, we work with highly-personalised strategies: we show each company the potential of digital transformation and innovation, we work on their implementation plan, we train their staff, and we analyse potential investments in new technologies, grants, etc. 

What is scientific and technological entrepreneurship like in Spain and what can be done to help it successfully make the leap to the market?

We have a long way to go to catch up with leading countries in scientific and technological entrepreneurship such as the United States, China, Japan and Germany. We must promote innovation at all levels and produce science from within both the public and private sectors. And, crucially, we must reform universities, the main factories of talent and knowledge, so that they are more entrepreneurial and more connected to the market. To achieve this, it is necessary to revamp research degrees and incentive systems linked to knowledge transfer, to stimulate talent and to make way for a new generation of researchers and professors.  

 

We also need to professionalise and train OTRIS staff to provide science- and technology-based companies with expert advice so they can enter the market, gain in-depth knowledge of the sectors in which they operate and work by incentives.  

 

Finally, public authorities must assist them in mentoring and support phases and in the search for partners and financing. 

How can the gap between science and businesses be reduced in order to boost technology transfer?

That’s the big question! In my opinion, there should be a focus on open innovation programmes related to strategic challenges in the fields of health, demographics, environment and energy, among others. Knowledge is increasingly distributed, so universities, technology centres, startups, large corporations and public authorities must participate in this open innovation. As well as society, which must be at the heart of it. 

Which technologies have the greatest potential for transformation in the health, agri-food and industrial sectors?

Data hubs will be essential in the healthcare sector and in the early detection of diseases. Telediagnosis technologies, robotics and the digitalisation of hospitals and healthcare centres will also be key. It is also important to highlight biotechnology and R&D in the development of molecules, drugs and vaccines, among others, which will be crucial in dealing with new pandemics or diseases.  

 

In the agri-food industry, technologies linked to the reduction of emissions, sustainability, energy efficiency and the reuse of waste are already fundamental. IoT, data analysis and intelligence, cybersecurity and blockchain are essential to determine the origin and quality of the agri-food industry value chain. In Castilla y León we already have good examples in the meat and wine sectors.  

 

In the industrial sector, in addition to the above, robotics, 3D printing and microelectronics will also be important. The development of new, more sustainable, high-performance materials, which will have a direct impact on the circular economy, should also be highlighted.

What advice would you give to a company or entrepreneur that wants to further digital transformation and strengthen the innovation of their company or project?

Collaboration for me is the most important thing. It is important to seek expert external technical support as well as involving the team, training them and incorporating expertise. Bringing creative people on board in organisations is what makes the difference when developing innovation projects.