Improving the return on R&D investments

22@ Barcelona District

Silicon Valley is, in many ways, the forerunner of the global innovation district concept. Adapting this idea to an European context, 22@ emerged in Barcelona in the early 2000s. Today, this district is seen as inspiration in more than 80 innovation areas around the world.

It is situated on 200 hectares of old industrial land. Currently, there are more than 1,500 companies related to audiovisual, information technology, energy, design and scientific research.

Since its origins, 22@ is the space in Barcelona where innovation is concentrated and promoted. The aim is to find solutions to face the global challenges and objectives of the 2030 Agenda for cities, through new urban solutions, generating economic activity with high added value and, at the same time, improving the quality of life of society.

22@Network

22@ Network BCN

22@Network BCN is a private business association that brings together, among its more than 180 associates, the main organizations of the district, large companies, universities and technology centers, and a network of SMEs and startups with activity in the district.

Since 2004, 22@Network BCN eis the great association of the innovative, technological and creative sector of Barcelona.

The main task of this association is to facilitate the integration of entrepreneurial organizations and professionals into the dynamics of 22@: networking, fostering interaction and deepening the relationship with the Poblenou neighborhood for a common benefit. To this end, it is structured around a series of commissions that organize events and activities to fulfill this function.

What is an Innovation District?

An innovation district is a geographic area where public administrations, business associations and clusters, R&D centers and cutting-edge universities connect with start-ups, entrepreneurs, incubators or business accelerators and investment entities.

In this space, economic activity, innovation and creativity coexist with the aim of promoting strategic collaborations between public-private entities, attracting and retaining talent, and generating synergies and projects with a positive impact on the economy and society.

The rise of innovation districts
Source: The rise of innovation districts (B. Katz & J. Wagner) 

22@ Innovation Commission

Kowledge Innovation Market – KIM chairs the Research Committee of the 22@Network. It develops, through the Seek and Solve Innovation Meeting format, spaces for debate where professionals meet to learn about the characteristics of successful business models, new projects and trends emerging.

This format seeks to promote the generation of mechanisms and activities of cooperation and technological and innovative collaboration with positive impact, involving all the agents of the Quadruple Helix of Open Innovation.

Seek & Solve Meetings