The Data Research Center “is the cornerstone of our innovation ecosystem and the key tool for making La Rioja a national leader in the digital economy and industry.”
Alfonso Domínguez highlights the strategic role of this technology hub, developed in partnership with La Rioja Digital, in “generating knowledge, promoting R&D&I projects, and supporting companies in La Rioja as they undergo transformation.”
Cidatum, the Data Research Center promoted by La Rioja Digital (an association of technology and digital companies in La Rioja) in collaboration with the regional government, “has established itself as the cornerstone of our innovation ecosystem and the key instrument for making La Rioja a national leader in the digital economy and industry.” Furthermore, this technology hub “plays a strategic role by generating knowledge, promoting R&D&I projects, and supporting companies in La Rioja through their digital transformation.”
This was highlighted on Wednesday by Alfonso Domínguez, the Regional Minister of Finance, Public Governance, Digital Society, and Public Relations, during a press conference alongside Ignacio Gurría, president of La Rioja Digital, following a new meeting held by the monitoring committee for the agreement signed in July of last year, under which the regional government commits to providing an annual contribution of 600,000 euros to fund Cidatum’s operational activities.
Alfonso Domínguez expressed the regional government’s “enormous satisfaction” with the progress made by the Center in promoting La Rioja’s digital economy.
The report confirms “remarkable dynamism and growth in La Rioja’s technology sector, as well as the recruitment and retention of digital talent and researchers.”
As he explained, “20 projects have been submitted, with a total budget of 44 million euros, involving 21 companies from La Rioja.” Notable among these are “APP‑TC by Red.es, focused on use cases for quantum technologies applied to strategic productive sectors, and SCI Monitor, a tool for measuring and optimizing software’s energy consumption and carbon footprint.”
Growth of the Technology Sector in La Rioja
For his part, Ignacio Gurría, president of La Rioja Digital, highlighted as key milestones “greater research capacity, more R&D&I projects, an increase in the number of participating companies, and a strengthened national and European presence thanks to the organization’s involvement in cutting-edge networks and projects.”
Cidatum “has strengthened its structure by adding three key roles—technical and scientific management, AI engineering, and web development—which expand its research capacity.” In addition, “it has made progress on its Action Plan to obtain accreditation as a national technology center, with a benchmark national and European rankings of research centers, an assessment of official requirements, and a roadmap outlining the necessary actions to strengthen the research staff, attract projects, and expand its industry partnerships in order to achieve the various milestones established for obtaining registration.
Likewise, Ignacio Gurría explained that the center “has joined FEDIT, the national network of technology centers, strengthening its position and partnerships,” and “has increased its presence at strategic events such as the National Cluster Congress, the Transfiere Forum, and Talent Arena, and has accompanied companies from La Rioja to industry trade shows such as Fruit Attraction, Cybersecurity World, and the Smart City Expo World Congress.” The innovation mission to Barcelona, involving 12 partner companies, included visits to leading institutions such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and Mobile World Capital.
The Government of La Rioja and La Rioja Digital have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working to promote high-impact projects through Cidatum and, in this way, build a strong, competitive digital sector capable of generating opportunities throughout the region.
