We are at a crucial moment at the international level, marked by the need to change the current production model, which is particularly evident in the Spanish economy. The current situation is the result of the fragility of the system and monoculture growth based on construction. Spain has a structural weakness in terms of employment – low skilled and seasonal-dependent – and industry, which rather than being characterised by creation and design, is of a manufacturing nature.

The example of more advanced countries shows a significant effort in the creation of knowledge and its transformation into goods and products with high performance and easy conversion. Therefore, if we really want to create an economy based on sustainability and ethics, investment should focus on enhancing Research, Development and Innovation.

The university has the mission to create, share and transfer knowledge to society.

This acquires a particularly important dimension with the creation of the International Campus of Excellence, a feature of which is the integration of universities with their social, economic and productive milieu.

Research conducted by a group of researchers may lead to a spin-off supported by the Centres for Entrepreneurs of each institution. The consolidation of the initiative should be undertaken through a Business Incubator located in a Scientce and Technology Park.

The transfer can also be done through research groups (not necessarily spin-offs) which can work with companies across OTRI (Network of Knowledge Transfer Offices) of universities or research centers. In the case of SMEs, this model is of great importance, because research groups may act as genuine R & D departments of these companies.

Funding for these projects falls on business, public administration, business angels and venture capital, so CONITEC offers brokerage services for individual cases to facilitate transfer of knowledge.

In short, CONITE pursues the following objectives::

• Show-case to society the business of technology transfer and its profitability.
• Streamline policies that must promote knowledge and innovation.
• Present case studies of innovation and transfer.
• Provide funding opportunities for business projects.
• Align Spanish expectations with the European Research Area.
• Encourage the management of patents, technology licenses and intellectual property.
• Create stable cooperation factors between the public and the private sector.
• Facilitate mobility of researchers in connection with the business fabric.
• Promote a cultural change in a business world.

In short, CONITEC provides a place of meeting and reflection that is addressed to all those involved in the transfer of knowledge with an international projection, for which international experiences in the field of entrepreneurship and benchmark companies from different sectors and of different size are incorporated in the project.