Yesterday was the funding information day jointly organized by Eurecat and the Clúster Digital de Catalunya. The event, which took place on Day One, provided a clear and direct view of the funding opportunities for R+D+i projects available through the Centre per al Desenvolupament Tecnològic Industrial (CDTI), with a special emphasis on in the NextGen EU funds.

The event began with a welcome from Gemma Batlle, Head of Business Development of the Startup ecosystem in Eurecat and recently appointed as a new member of the Clúster Digital de Catalunya. Then, Joan Puaté, Cluster Manager of the Clúster Digital de Catalunya, concluded the presentation by giving entrance to the different speakers of the day.The first presentation was given by Elías Gargallo, Head of Business Development DIGICTUR (Digital, Creatives-Culturals, Tourism) at Eurecat, who explained all the details about the roles of Technology Centers in R+D+i projects Businesses in the ICT field. “A very important issue that I have detected is proximity; in Lleida we have the Agro industry, in the Delta de l'Ebre climate change, in Mataró the textile world, in Manresa we deal with sustainability issues (...) each is specialized in a subject", said Elías on the importance of proximity and specialization in industry. In addition, he emphasized that: "When you put different people to solve a challenge, each one solves it from their point of view. What's more, we can do multidisciplinary projects by mixing knowledge and having a lot of tools."

Afterwards, Emilio Iglesias Cadarso, Head of Area, spoke. Department of Institutional Promotion and Territorial Cooperation at CDTI  to present CDTI's instruments for financing R+D+i projects. "From the monitoring of completed projects, we know that SMEs mostly participate, we detect product innovations and product plus process, as well as short-term commercialization and novelty in the market", pointed out Emilio. He also added that: "On the other hand, we cannot forget the strengthening of commercial networks, the expectations of growth in sales, exports and investments or job creation, especially in R+D." In addition, during the presentation he solved and clarified all the doubts of the attendees.

Then it was time to share experiences of successful cases of companies associated with the Cluster or partners of Eurecat that have managed to access CDTI financing programs. This has been done by the companies Watchity, Acceleralia, TV UP and, recently incorporated into the Digital Cluster, Group Saltó.

The CEO Albert Rodes spoke on behalf of  Watchity and then it was the turn of Ton Guardiet, CEO at Acceleralia. Then, Joaquín López made his intervention as Director of Innovation at TV UP Streaming Media. Finally, the day concluded with the exhibition of Jordi Cabau, CTO, Innovation, SW Development Manager at Group Saltó. All of them explained their experiences and lessons learned throughout the financing process, among which, as a common denominator, they highlighted: effort, determination and clarity when drafting the report, having the 'help from consulting companies that help you in the process and have a vision of the future of the project and of commercial exploitation.

The event ended with bilateral meetings held by some companies associated with the Clúster Digital with the CDTI representative to clarify specific doubts about projects to be financed.