EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, owned by the same media group, Prensa Ibérica, organized a Madrid stop that completed the Futuribles cycle. The project had traveled through several Spanish cities since last autumn to assess and promote technological innovation across the country, turning the tour into a wide-ranging exploration of Spain’s near future in tech, business, and public policy.
At the Madrid conference, the First Vice-President of the Government and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation participated, joining Nadia Calviño in a discussion climate where leading experts and officials dissected the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing innovation today. The event drew attention for its practical focus on policy design, funding strategies, and cross-sector collaboration necessary to advance Spain’s tech ecosystem.
Before arriving in Madrid, the Futuribles circuit had taken stock in Oviedo, Vigo, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Murcia, Cáceres, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Las Palmas. Each city contributed its own regional lens, preparing special supplements that highlighted local innovations and the capacities of regional players. Across regions, the Futuribles cycle involved the presidents of the participating groups in framing tailored discussions that reflected local realities and global trends alike.
The overarching thread across the meetings was technological innovation, but the angle varied by venue. In Vigo the focus was automotive technology, in Malaga digitalization of services took center stage, in Cáceres energy systems were explored, and Zaragoza hosted conversations on education and skills for the digital era. Madrid served as the culminating forum, generously supported by Telefónica, Procter & Gamble, and Ayming, where participants gathered to draw conclusions from the first edition of Futuribles and to look ahead at what sustained innovation might require in Spain’s near term future.
Event agenda and highlights
The session began at noon with a welcome address from Javier Moll, representing Iberian Press, setting the tone for a day focused on strategic thinking and practical outcomes.
Following that, Gemma Robles, director of EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, offered remarks that framed the day as a concerted effort to translate high-level innovation concepts into actionable policies and business strategies.
At 12:10, a master session explored the big challenges facing technological innovation in Spain, presented by Francisco Marín, director of the Futuribles project and recipient of the National Lifetime Achievement Award. His overview connected historical milestones with emerging trends and the policy levers that can accelerate change across sectors.
At 12:20, a roundtable examined active policies for innovation and development. The panel featured a mix of policymakers and industry figures who discussed how regulatory environments, public-private partnerships, and targeted funding can unlock new capabilities for Spanish firms and research institutions.
- Theresa Risk, innovation secretary general
- Anton Costas, president of the Economic and Social Council
- Peter Tsar, president of AMETIC
- José Manuel Pingarrón, general secretary of universities
- Anna Castro, CSIC vice president of knowledge transfer
At 12:50, another roundtable turned to the corporate side of the innovation equation. Leaders from major Spanish and multinational organizations shared their perspectives on turning research into market-ready products, scaling new capabilities, and sustaining competitive advantage in a rapidly changing digital economy.
- Javier Ryan, vice president of marketing for P&G Spain
- Carlos Artal, CEO of Ayming Spain
- David del Val, director of global strategic innovation at Telefónica
- Azucena Hernandez, founder and CEO of Eurocybcar
By 13:20, the conference closed with remarks from Nadia Calviño, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to economic resilience and digital transformation. The gathering underscored a shared belief that coordinated, multi-stakeholder action is essential to shaping a productive and inclusive tech future for Spain.