The vibrant technological ecosystem of Malaga was the focus of a conference organized by Grupo Joly and sponsored by ABANCA. The event, titled 'Malaga, Tech Hub of Southern Europe: Growth, Investment, and Challenges,' highlighted the province's talent, business fabric, and infrastructure, while also pointing out pending challenges. Experts agreed on the importance of replicating the past success of small local companies in the current growth context.
María Rafaela Gordo, Southern Territorial Director of ABANCA, stated that 'Malaga is a technological reality' and emphasized the role of banking as a strategic partner. 'Tech companies need a partner who supports them not only in the idea but also in the execution,' she noted, stressing that the financial sector is crucial for innovation and growth, offering not just financing but 'total service'.
Felipe Romera, director of Málaga TechPark, recalled the 36 years of work that have led the province to become a 'fundamental piece in the productive future of Southern Europe.' The technology park, founded in 1992, began with the conviction of its promoters and has been developed by local startups such as Hispasec, Aertec, or Magnific, which emerged 'from scratch'.
Sergio de los Santos, Head of Innovation and Laboratory at Telefónica Tech, reminisced about the beginnings of cybersecurity in Spain, with two of the country's three cybersecurity firms located in Malaga. He recounted how his time at Hispasec, where VirusTotal (acquired by Google) originated, laid the groundwork for Spanish cybersecurity. Telefónica's commitment to Malaga in 2013, bringing 42 local employees, demonstrates the potential of the region's talent, now numbering 65 'super local talent' employees.
Malaga's global visibility, boosted by the arrival of Google, the agreement between Accenture and Nvidia for AI, the future Imec center, and Quantum Labs' quantum computer project, has positioned the province to 'compete with the world.' This reputation attracts multinationals, which in turn reinforce the territory's credibility, creating a virtuous cycle between the local and the global.
Javier González, COO of Magnific, highlighted the importance of collaboration among local companies, a model based on sharing knowledge without expecting anything in return, which has been a silent engine of the ecosystem.
There is a general consensus that training is the key to the future. However, challenges remain, such as the shortage of 'junior' workers and, particularly, the housing problem, which makes it difficult for local talent to stay and attract new professionals. Mobility and energy are also critical points, with instances of companies deciding against investment due to a lack of guaranteed electricity supply.
Experts concluded that Malaga's success is not measured solely by investment rounds but by its people and the networks they have built. They emphasized the need to maintain the 'productive naivety of the origin' while gaining sovereignty in energy and hardware, in addition to 'taking pride' that cybersecurity was born in the province.
María Rafaela Gordo summarized Malaga's technological revolution: 'Ordinary people are now aware of the technological revolution that has happened in Malaga. And especially people from outside: Malaga is talked about a lot.' She advocated for sustained growth requiring affordable housing, infrastructure, and local talent with ambition, with banking, and particularly ABANCA, as a key partner in all phases of the business cycle.
