The Technology Centers integrated in the Spanish Federation of Technology Centers (Fedit) generate a total economic impact of 7,702 million euros of GDP, 127,371 full-time equivalent jobs and 3,947 million euros of public revenue, according to the independent study prepared by the Valencian Institute of Economic Research (Ivie).
- The study reveals that for every euro invested in Technology Centers, 11 euros of GDP and more than 5 euros of public revenue are generated.
- The activity of the Technology Centers contributes almost 4 billion euros to the public coffers.
- Companies that collaborate with Technology Centers are, on average, more profitable, more productive, more solvent, less indebted and larger than those that do not.
- The study quantifies, with objective data, that Technology Centers are a key lever for competitiveness, economic growth and employment in Spain. It is a rigorous analysis of how collaboration between companies and Technology Centers translates into more sales, more employment and more public revenue.
The report, presented at a press conference and prepared on the occasion of Fedit’s 30th anniversary, shows that Technology Centers are one of the most profitable and efficient innovation infrastructures in the Spanish productive system.
“The data are convincing: investing in Technology Centers is not an expense, it is one of the most profitable public and private investments for theSpanisheconomy,” said Laura Olcina, president of Fedit.
More competitive, solventore competitive, solvent, productive and profitable companies
The study analyzes the experience of a representative sample of client companies and compares it with companies that do not work with Technology Centers. The results are clear:
- 85% of the companies claim to have achieved their objectives.
- 93.5% emphasize the quality of the professional relationship.
- 73.5% would repeat the collaboration.
- Companies attribute an average increase of 2% in sales and 0.8 points in profitability to this cooperation.
In addition, companies that collaborate with Technology Centers are, on average,more profitable,more productive, more solvent, less indebted and larger than those that do not.
An economic multipliereconomic impact
The analysis quantifies two major impact pathways:
- The operating and investment expenditure of the Technology Centers, which in 2024 reached 765.5 million euros, generating 1,079 million euros of GDP and 19,289 jobs.
- The increase in sales attributable to technological collaboration, amounting to 6,414 million euros, with a total impact of 6,623 million euros of GDP and 108,082 jobs.
Overall, the aggregate effect is striking:
- For every euro invested in Technology Centers, 11 euros of GDP are generated.
- For every million euros of expenditure, 181 jobs are created.
Castilla y León: the role of NODDO and its Technology Centers
In Castilla y León, this impact is articulated through NODDO, the Network of Technology Centers of Castilla y León, an entity associated with Fedit that connects and represents the capabilities of the nine Technology Centers of the Community: AIR Institute, CARTIF, Cesefor, CETECE, CIDAUT, CTME, ICAMCyL, ITAGRA and ITCL.
The Network has nearly 975 professionals, develops around 650 R&D&I projects per year and works with more than 2,000 client companies in the last three years. In addition, the Technology Centers integrated in NODDO reach 79 million euros in revenue and 54% of its turnover comes from contracts with companies, a figure that reflects its direct orientation to the productive fabric and its role as a technological ally of the regional industry.
This reality reinforces, from Castilla y León, the conclusions of the report presented by Fedit and prepared by the Ivie: Technology Centers are a strategic infrastructure for transforming knowledge into business competitiveness, skilled employment, applied innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Why do companies choose Technology Centers?
The study and international evidence confirm that companies that work with Technology Centers obtain differential advantages over those that do not collaborate. Technology Centers stand out for their direct orientation towards business results, their ability to reduce risks, accelerate time-to-market and act as an extension of the company’s R&D department, especially in the case of SMEs.
A strategic message for Spain’s economic future
“If Spain wants to advance in reindustrialization, technological autonomy and productivity, Technology Centers must be recognized and strengthened as strategic infrastructure of the country,” concluded Fedit’s president, Laura Olcina. The Ivie study provides a solid empirical basis for positioning Technology Centers as key players in applied innovation, quality employment and sustainable economic growth.
30 years of impact with Fedit
Fedit celebrates in 2026 three decades working to promote and encourage Innovation, Technological Development and private Research to increase the competitiveness of companies through the strengthening of Technology Centers. On the occasion of this commemoration, Fedit has prepared a video that has been presented during the celebration ceremony.
Access the full report: HERE
Play or download the video commemorating Fedit’s 30th Anniversary: HERE
More about Fedit
Fedit is the Spanish Federation of Technology Centers. It was established in 1996 and since then has been working to promote and foster Innovation, Technological Development and private Research to increase the competitiveness of companies through the strengthening of Technology Centers.
As its main representative and for the results that these induce in companies, Fedit is one of the main driving forces of private R+D+i in the country and an important ally of the industry in its competitive and internationalization strategy. Fedit works to promote and encourage Innovation, Technological Development and Research in companies and society.
The Federation is made up of 59 members -55 Technology Centers and 4 regional groups-, distributed throughout the country, with a staff of more than 10,800 people who provide services to 29,000 companies annually. In 2024, Fedit’s member centers acquired revenues of more than 917 million euros and carried out more than 23,700 R&D&I projects.
Fedit belongs to different international associations and organizations in which it represents the interests of Spanish Technology Centers. Among others, it is a member of the Executive Committee of the European Association of Research and Technology Organizations, EARTO.
About NODDO
NODDO is the Network of Technology Centers of Castilla y León. Created in 2021 with the impulse of the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León, it integrates the nine Technology Centers of the Community: AIR Institute, CARTIF, Cesefor, CETECE, CIDAUT, CTME, ICAMCyL, ITAGRA and ITCL.
As a collaborative network of reference in innovation and technological development in Castilla y León, NODDO acts as a catalyst for cooperation and technology transfer, connecting technological capabilities to boost business competitiveness through R+D+i.
