Juan Mari Aburto visits the Ikerlan Technology Centre in Bilbao

The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, and the Councillor for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism and Employment, Xabier Ochandiano, visited the Ikerlan Technology Centre in Bilbao this morning. The centre has been based at the Auzo Factory Matiko municipal installations for the last year, thanks to a collaboration agreement between the two entities.

The first anniversary of the opening of the Ikerlan centre in Bilbao coincides with the technology centre’s 50th anniversary

The MONDRAGON Corporation technology centre has been brought to Bilbao with the aim of being closer to companies in Bizkaia province, creating high-value specialist employment and attracting and retaining technology talent in its capital city.

The first anniversary of the opening of the Ikerlan centre in Bilbao coincides with the technology centre’s 50th anniversary, and the opportunity was taken to recall the successful track record built up over half a century and to get first-hand knowledge of some of the cutting-edge projects currently being worked on by the technology centre.

Ikerlan’s Managing Director, Ion Etxeberria, accompanied by the management staff of the technology enterprise and its Chairman Adolfo Plaza, spoke to the municipal authorities about the positive evolution of the technology centre during the first stage of its establishment in Bilbao. Ikerlan’s location at the Auzo Factory Matiko is the first step in its strategy of consolidating its presence in this city, as it will be moving to the new technology campus when the Zorrotzaurre Technology Park is started up.   

Bilbao’s Mayor, Juan Mari Aburto, said he wished to highlight: the importance of having the Ikerlan team working in Bilbao and the centre fully up and running, making a reality of the ideas we shared just one year ago, ideas that are actually contributing to enriching our local economy today with innovation and talent, making this an attractive destination for investment, research and the creation of high-quality jobs, particularly for young people.  All this is already underway, and since the first seed was planted at the Matiko centre it’s now become established in the city and will continue to grow, with a promising future we’ll be able to share with new projects.”

Mr. Etxeberria affirmed that during this first year in Bilbao the aim of the technology centre was to raise awareness of the essence of Ikerlan’s project and strengthen the partnerships with institutions, business hubs, universities and RDI actors in Bizkaia province.

As a result, more than 50 members of staff have benefited from the possibility of working at the Bilbao centre. “Flexibility and proximity are certainly important factors for attracting and retaining technology talent”, Mr. Etxeberria said, adding that it is expected that a staff of around 100 people will become established in Bilbao in the medium-term.

In 2023, Ikerlan successfully incorporated a total of 46 people to its staff, a third of whom are professionals from outside the Basque Autonomous Community that have chosen Bilbao as an appealing destination, completing a team of research professionals of more than 410 people. 

In its 50 years of existence, Ikerlan has piloted technology transfer to Basque businesses and has participated in the development of key infrastructures such as the Bilbao Metro, Loiu Airport or the Bilbao tram system

As to the technology transfer projects, Mr. Etxeberria says that “we have strengthened the partnerships with over 60 Bilbao and Bizkaia companies mainly operating in the energy, transport and mobility sectors, advanced manufacturing and the ICTs we work with, and our Bilbao centre brings us closer to many of these companies.” In its 50 years of existence, Ikerlan has piloted technology transfer to Basque businesses and has participated in the development of key infrastructures such as the Bilbao Metro, Loiu Airport or the Bilbao tram system.

Also over this last year, Ikerlan has strengthened its position in Bilbao’s innovation ecosystem, participating in forums such as INNOLAB Bilbao or the Iberdrola Innovation Hub, contributing with its experience and knowledge of subjects like cyber security, power electronics and artificial intelligence.

Ikerlan has also held numerous meetings for the different European projects, making Bilbao an international centrepoint for research and innovation. In this regard it also held the 7th PhD Students’ Conference in the Ensanche district, bringing together over 120 doctoral students and teachers from more than 12 universities from the Basque Country and the rest of Spain.