The AERTIC Data Research Center and NOVEX Sign an Agreement to Promote Innovation and Technological Development

The Data Research Center, sponsored by the Innovative Business Association of the Technology Industry Sector, the Association of Innovative Businesses in the Technology, Digitalization, and Digital Economy Sectors of La Rioja (AERTIC), and the NOVEX Technology Center have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at promoting joint initiatives that foster innovation, business competitiveness, and technological development.

The president of AERTIC, Ignacio Gurría de la Torre, and the CEO of NOVEX, Javier Oñate, have formalized this technology partnership, which will strengthen the competitiveness of the business sector through innovation, technology transfer, and training in digital skills.

Objectives and Areas of Focus

The agreement establishes a stable framework for developing five priority areas.

The first of these will be to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and foster opportunities among the members of both organizations by organizing B2B meetings, forums, and working groups to develop strategic alliances.

Second, the agreement aims to promote joint innovation projects by identifying and supporting R&D&I initiatives among NOVEX and AERTIC companies and fostering technology transfer and public-private cooperation.

A third area of focus will be securing public and European funding by analyzing and developing joint projects to access regional, national, European (Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, etc.), and international funding. This will also involve collaborating on the drafting of proposals and identifying partners for competitive grant programs.

The fourth aspect of the agreement focuses on the development of training programs, which will consist of designing and delivering specialized courses, workshops, and seminars on technology, big data, AI, digital transformation, and other topics. The agreement also aims to promote the training of professionals in advanced digital skills.

Finally, the agreement will promote the capabilities of each of the technology centers by publicizing their respective infrastructure and services among the members of both parties.

The agreement designates AERTIC as a collaborating partner of NOVEX—with the right to participate in its General Assembly—and recognizes NOVEX as a strategic partner of AERTIC. This is the first agreement to be signed, in line with the Data Research Center’s strategy to foster collaboration with the region’s other strategic sectors.

AERTIC President Ignacio Gurría de la Torre, emphasized that “for the Data Research Center, it is essential to foster networks of knowledge and collaboration, as well as to establish strong partnerships with the various economic sectors in our community. “The combination of the Center’s expertise in emerging technologies and NOVEX’s experience in the footwear sector opens the door to the development of high-value initiatives and projects for both organizations.”

For his part, Javier Oñate, CEO of NOVEX, emphasized that “This partnership, which will take on new meaning starting today following the aforementioned agreement, will help improve efficiency and create new opportunities for businesses and for La Rioja society as a whole, since investment in research infrastructure and training in digital skills are key pillars of this initiative, which also aims to improve data security and protection.” Finally, Oñate emphasized that “Digital transformation requires the innovative energy that partnerships like these foster, which, in turn, reinforce the modernization of the business environment.”

About AERTIC

AERTIC, the Innovative Business Association for the Technology, Digitalization, and Digital Economy Sectors in La Rioja, was founded in 2010 as an evolution of the Association of ICT Companies of La Rioja, which was established in 2006. Its origins stem from the convergence of common interests among companies in the areas of business, specialization, R&D&I, internationalization, and talent, with a particular focus on the agri-food sector and internet services. After more than 14 years of activity, a decisive step toward its consolidation was taken in 2024 with the launch of the Data Technologies Research Center, which reinforces its commitment to innovation.

Since then, AERTIC has established itself as a driving force behind La Rioja’s digital transformation, fostering business, economic, and employment growth in the sector. Between 2019 and 2024, it has managed 79 R&D&I projects with an investment of over 93 million euros, attracting 16.5 million in external funding and fostering collaboration among a large portion of its 104 members in joint initiatives. Its activities focus on strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and Industry 4.0, positioning La Rioja as an emerging hub for technological and digital innovation in Spain.

About NOVEX

The Association for the Promotion, Research, Development, and Technological Innovation of the Footwear and Related Industries of La Rioja (NOVEX) promotes innovation and technology transfer in the sector; it is headquartered in Arnedo (La Rioja).