Industry Office argues that it is not only important for companies from Granada to work on the accelerator, but also that those from outside “end up settling in Granada.”
3rd I+Dones Forum opening in Granada
The Ifmif-Dones project, which already has its symbolic cornerstone laid in Escúzar, is moving steadily forward as one of the major international scientific initiatives in the field of fusion energy. This infrastructure, aimed at testing and validating the materials to be used in future fusion plants, represents not only a milestone for science but also a real and tangible opportunity for Spanish industry.
In this context, the 3rd I+Dones Forum will be held on May 29 and 30, already considered the largest science industry forum in Spain. Organized by the Industry Office and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), the event will bring together more than 250 companies from across the country in search of new opportunities within the innovation ecosystem being developed in Granada. “The forum is a real opportunity, not just a prospect,” says Roberto Álvarez, Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation at the Granada Chamber of Commerce. “This year, in addition to companies from all over Spain, we will see greater local participation than in previous editions, which shows that the Granada-based industry is starting to establish itself,” adds Álvarez.
The numbers speak to this dynamism: in recent months, more than 80 million euros in contracts have been launched, including 40 million in Public Procurement of Innovation, 9 million in engineering, 4 million in software, and over 30 million in R&D&I projects—many involving companies from the province of Granada.
The forum is designed to welcome companies from various sectors: engineering, technology, logistics, services, events, construction, and more. One of the major new features of this edition will be a technical visit to the newly inaugurated buildings on May 19 at the Citai in Escúzar, as well as to prototypes at the UGR-DONES center—an activity that has sparked great interest among attendees.
The format of the workshops on the first day will also be expanded this year, with participation from international organizations such as Fusion for Energy (F4E) and the German company Proxima Fusion, among other key players in the sector.
Over the two-day event, a full program will be offered, including institutional presentations, showcases of R&D&I projects, thematic workshops, as well as networking spaces and B2B meetings—one of the most highly rated elements in previous editions. Activities will take place in three locations: the Citai in Escúzar, the Granada Chamber of Commerce, and the Carmen de los Mártires.
The I+Dones Forum is an initiative of the Industry Office and CDTI under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, with support from leading local, regional, and national stakeholders: the Ifmif-Dones Spain consortium, the Andalusian Regional Government’s Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, the Granada Provincial Council, Granada City Council, CIEMAT, the University of Granada, the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia-CSIC, the Granada Chamber of Commerce, the AI Granada Foundation, INEUSTAR, and the Induciencia platform.
With Ifmif-Dones already becoming a tangible reality, this forum marks a turning point for the business ecosystem in Granada and across Spain. Now, more than ever, is the time to harness the momentum of a scientific infrastructure that promises to transform the future of energy—and industry.