Strategically positioned where three continents meet, the Canary Islands serve as a gateway for companies seeking opportunities across Europe and Africa. By weaving into the core global value chains in key sectors, they have become one of Europe’s most appealing destinations for innovation projects, technological advances, and both international and national initiatives in the audiovisual and animation industries, as well as emerging fields like offshore wind power and aerospace. This appeal stems from a one-of-a-kind ecosystem that delivers notable advantages, including a low corporate tax rate of 4 percent and substantial R and D incentives for technological innovation up to 45 percent, with specific support for video game development.
To keep highlighting the Canary Islands as a thriving hub of business and innovation, Proexca, the Canary Economic Development Association, operating under the Ministry of Economy, Information and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, launched Canary Islands Hub. Best kept secret to do business in Europe and Spain, a program designed to share the keys to why the archipelago is an ideal place to scale a business or establish a hub for innovation, testing, or support services.
The first event took place on September 23 in Palma de Mallorca, and Canary Islands Center is arriving in Valencia on Friday, October 7. The information session, organized by the Canary Government and the newspapers Informacion, Levante-EMV, and El Periodico Mediterraneo, will be held in person at the Veles e Vents building. Susana Criado will host the gathering, which begins at 09:30 and is expected to attract around a hundred attendees. The day’s program includes contributions from economist Jose Carlos Diez and Salvador Navarro, president of the Valencian Community Business Confederation, among others. Participants will include small and medium-sized firms, large Valencian enterprises, and the archipelago’s ICT and R and D activities in audiovisual, animation, and video game development, as well as blue economy, renewable energy, aviation, and space sectors. Future events will follow in Malaga, Vigo, Barcelona, and Madrid.
More than 700 companies have already chosen the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands attract millions of visitors and digital nomads thanks to the region’s exceptional climate, pristine beaches, a yearly 4,800 hours of sunlight, and an average temperature around 22 degrees Celsius. World-class infrastructure and excellent digital, air, and sea connectivity link the islands to markets everywhere. The area is known for a diverse, cosmopolitan, and safe society that makes it an ideal place to live and do business. Local and international talent is readily found, supported by high quality of life and safety. Talent is cultivated across five Canarian universities and numerous specialized training centers that prepare the workforce for strategic sectors.
Its distinctive geographic and environmental conditions, combined with leading international research institutions, position the Canary Islands as a natural testing ground for new renewable energy technologies and related innovations.
For these reasons, the Canary Islands have established themselves as a key center for innovation-driven business development. They offer shared services and subcontracting opportunities, along with competitive operating costs compared with major business cities. The region provides favorable spaces for administrative operations and serves as an ideal base to expand or develop business activities.