Business Factory Aero (BFAero) took part in the 19th Iberian Meeting of Science and Technology Parks, held at Tecnópole (Ourense), which brought together representatives from the innovation ecosystems of Spain and Portugal to foster collaboration and explore new opportunities in strategic fields such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, security and defence, and cybersecurity.
The event focused on the role of innovation and cooperation between companies, technology centres, science parks and institutions in driving the development of strategic sectors. Among the activities at the event was a round-table discussion on the aerospace sector, moderated by Luis García Santalla, president of the CEL-Aceleradora BFAero Foundation.
The aerospace sector: at the forefront of cooperation
The round-table discussion provided an opportunity to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities facing the aerospace sector, as well as on the importance of bringing together companies, organisations that support entrepreneurship and innovation bodies to foster the development of new initiatives and create opportunities for collaboration.
The discussion was attended by Jan Mataró, CTO and co-founder of Kreios Space; Miguel Ladrón de Cegama, director of MLC Consulting and head of content at EDOS; Carmen Verdejo, director of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ICECYL; and Jorge Pimenta, director of innovation at IPN Coimbra, AESA’s incubator. Their backgrounds, spanning the business, technology and institutional sectors, provided different perspectives on the aerospace ecosystem.
Galicia, a strategic hub for aerospace innovation
The hosting of the 19th Iberian Meeting in Galicia forms part of the region’s drive to promote strategic technologies, through the Strategic Initiative for Security, Defence and Aerospace 2025–2030, and its long-standing collaboration with Portugal on R&D&I projects.
Ourense and Tecnópole offer a particularly favourable environment for these links, thanks to their proximity to the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga; the plan for Tecnópole to host Galicia’s Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity; and the expertise available at the Ourense campus of the University of Vigo in aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence and computer engineering.
This context offers new opportunities to foster partnerships between science and technology parks, businesses, institutions and talent from both countries, thereby promoting the development of joint projects in strategic sectors.
New partnerships for the innovation ecosystem
Organised by the Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE) and TecParques, the Portuguese Association of Science and Technology Parks, the 19th Iberian Meeting also featured sessions on artificial intelligence, dual-use applications, STEAM talent and the future of science and technology parks, as well as networking opportunities to foster new business connections.
Taking part in initiatives of this kind enables BFAero to continue strengthening its links with the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Spain and Portugal, expanding opportunities for collaboration and contributing to the growth of start-ups and the development of the Galician aerospace sector.
The technology may work. But what is the business case? Taking this question as their starting point, participants at the 7th edition ofBusiness Factory Aero (BFAero) took part in a new training session held at the School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering at the University of Vigo, in Ourense.
The event brought together around 60 students and the Luxsit, ShareWing, Arzeos, DroneSilencer, Binarial and DroneCleanerprojects, in a session focusing on two key aspects for any start-up: understanding how to run a business and how to turn a solution into a viable business model.
Business management to drive a start-up forward
The first part of the day was devoted to the training session ‘Key aspects of business management for start-ups’, during which participants were able to explore in greater depth some of the essential elements involved in organising, planning and growing a business venture.
The session covered aspects relating to management and leadership, organisational structure, talent management and organisational communication, alongside key planning issues such as the business plan, the financial plan and the various sources of funding.
The session also covered tools and criteria for monitoring results and decision-making, process optimisation, team coordination and the key legal aspects that must be taken into account when developing a start-up.
A practical guide to the various areas of business management, which enabled the participating projects to focus not only on their technological solution, but also on the structures and decisions required to turn it into a sustainable business.
From technology to the business model
One of the highlights of the day was the session entitled “Business Model Generation for Engineers”, led by Daniel Franco, Business Innovation Manager at Airbus, as part of Airbus’s collaboration with BFAero.
The training session took a practical approach to how to turn a technological solution into a viable business model: understanding the customer, defining the value proposition and identifying who uses the solution, who makes the decision and who pays for it.
Using tools such as the Business Model Canvas, participants were able to work interactively on the various elements that make up a business model and reflect on how to align a technological proposal with the market’s actual needs.
The session sparked great interest amongst both the participating start-ups and the students, creating a space for learning and the exchange of experiences relating to innovation and entrepreneurship.
BFAero presents its 8th edition
The event also served to present the BFAero programme and officially announce the opening of applications for its 8th edition. Luis García Santalla, the programme manager, was responsible for announcing the new call for applications and highlighting the support that BFAero offers to projects linked to the aerospace sector.
With the launch of this new edition, BFAero continues to drive the development of innovative initiatives and to provide entrepreneurs with access to training, specialist knowledge and connections with companies and stakeholders within the ecosystem.
A space to learn, connect and create opportunities
The day concluded with a networking session between the participating projects and organisations, which provided an opportunity to share experiences, make new contacts and explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
These kinds of events form part of the support that BFAero offers its start-ups, combining business training, industry expertise and connections within the ecosystem to help projects move from technology towards business models with growth potential.
The 8th call for proposals for BFAero is now open, and if you’re considering submitting your project, we’d like to help you resolve any queries you may have during the process.
We will therefore be holding an online information webinar on 15 October, from 3.00 pm to 3.45 pm, during which we will go through the key aspects of the call for proposals and answer questions from interested projects and companies.
In addition, we will be joined by SLIMOP Space, a project that took part in the 6th edition of BFAero as part of the Acceleration track and in the 7th edition as part of the Consolidation track, and which will share its experience and explain how its time on the programme has helped it to develop and consolidate its project.
What will you find out in the webinar?
During the session, we will discuss what Business Factory Aero (BFAero) is and what it offers start-ups, how to take part in this new edition, and what factors are taken into account during the selection process.
We will also provide a practical guide to the assessment criteria and the application form to help you prepare your application, and we will set aside some time at the end to answer any queries or questions.
If you are thinking of applying for the 8th call for applications, this webinar will be a great opportunity to find out more about the programme, gain first-hand insight into a project that has been part of BFAero, and clarify any queries you may have before submitting your application.
Please note that the deadline for submitting nominations is 30 October 2026.
BFAero: an opportunity to give your project a boost
Through its various programmes, BFAero offers funding, specialist support, links to the industry and opportunities for growth for projects in the aerospace, aeronautics and unmanned vehicle sectors.
Since 2019, projects that have been supported by BFAero have generated more than €28 million in turnover and attracted €16 million in investment.
If you have an innovative project and want to take the next step, we look forward to seeing you on 15 October.
Sign up and get answers to your questions about the 8th BFAero call for applications!
Firmware, FPGA, embedded control, timing, synchronisation, sensors, data acquisition, test automation, hardware bring-up and support for the validation of optical payloads.
Location: Nigrán–Vigo, Galicia, Spain Start date: immediately or subject to the candidate’s availability, depending on the role How to apply: please send your CV and a brief covering letter to info@slimop.space, stating the job reference in the subject line of the email.
Management of strategic R&D projects, public funding, proposals, reporting, justifications, obligations, risks, timetables and cross-functional coordination of funded projects.
Location: Nigrán–Vigo, Galicia, Spain Start date: immediately or subject to the candidate’s availability, depending on the role How to apply: please send your CV and a brief covering letter to info@slimop.space, stating the job reference in the subject line of the email.
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