PITA - Parque tecnológico Almería

Almería newspaper IDEAL presented the awards for its 2011 Ideal.es Website Competition in what was a lively and entertaining ceremony for all in attendance. PITA Managing Director Alfredo Sánchez received the award for Best Institutional Website on behalf of PITA from the hands of University of Almería Rector Pedro Molina.
The event was hosted by journalist David Baños in the Almería Museum auditorium. Award winners expressed their most sincere gratitude for having been honoured, but the ceremony also was a time for big laughs thanks to the incomparable and outstanding performance by comedian and journalist Pépe Cespedes.

The Almería Science and Technology Park Web page has received the IDEAL.es 2011 website award in a competition organized by the local newspaper. The PITA Web page was recognized in the category for ‘Best Institutional Website.’ Managing Director Alfredo Sánchez will accept the award next Tuesday during a ceremony at the Almería Museum.

The Executive Board of Directors of The Almería Science and Technology Park met this morning at the PITA Science Centre; at that time it awarded the tender for Batch 10b. This particular tender corresponds to the furnishing work for the PITA Research and Technology Transfer Centre. Receiving the contract was the company Mogar S.L., whose economic proposal reached 257,445.04 euros (without VAT).es de 4 semanas.

The Provincial Councillor for Economy, Innovation and Science, Adriana Valverde, has inaugurated the conference on New Energy Technologies which was organised jointly by PITA and the Provincial Association of Renewable Energy Businesses ASEMPAL Renovables. PITA Managing Director Alfredo Sanchez and ASEMPAL Renovables President Amador Martínez shared the duties of presenting the speakers at the event.

Ana Martínez Labella, Almería Town Hall Councillor for Economic Development, Employment and New Technologies, visited the PITA facilities on the University of Almería campus, as well as those at the technology park in El Alquián. The councilwoman and her staff also got a first-hand look inside the soon-to-be-inaugurated Business Centre

The main building at the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA) will be completed in a matter of weeks. Andalusian Regional Government representative Maria Isabel Requena has paid a visit to the works which will finish at the end of the year.

The PITA Science Centre has been the venue for a workshop organised by the Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) and Eidostech Consultores, under the auspices of RETA (Andalusian Network of Technological Areas). About twenty companies were in attendance at the event to learn about this European financing programme aimed at SMEs and open to all fields of research.

Representatives from the Andalusian Agency for Innovation and Development, IDEA, led by the its provincial manager, Eva Pozo, have visited the ongoing works at the main building of PITA’s Almería technopolis. Numerous spaces have already been made available to companies and entrepreneurs. The spaces on offer within this building include: offices starting at 20 square metres, coworking office space, laboratories to rent and various common areas for meeting and greeting (auditorium, training rooms, meeting rooms, restaurant, etc.)

The Regional Minister of Economy, Innovation and Science, and PITA President, Antonio Ávila, presided over a meeting today of the Almería Science and Technology Park Executive Committee (PITA). At this time, the request by Grupo Cajamar to acquire two plots in the complex was approved. On this land it intends to build a technological and advanced services centre.

The Regional Minister of Economy, Innovation and Science and president of PITA, Antonio Ávila, has participated in a conference whose goal was to advise local Almería-based companies on how to submit their projects to the FEDER-Innterconecta Programme. During this event held at the PITA Science Centre, Mr. Ávila reminded all those in attendance that Andalusia is the first Spanish Autonomous Region to set this programme in motion. It is a new initiative that has allocated 100 million euros for subsidizing innovative projects carried out by business consortiums.

This November, the Almería Science and Technology Park is once again participating in Science Week, the biggest social communication event in the science and technology world in Spain. This participation involves school visits to the PITA Science Centre. This week, students from ‘Celia Viñas’ Secondary School have taken part in one of these visits and have learnt about the Park and the innovative work being done by one of its companies.

The prestigious emerging technologies conference organised by the Massachusettes Institiute of Technology’s TechReview Magazine was held for the first time in Europe this past week on October 26th and 27th. PITA and entities from Almería, such as RealtrackSystems, Breca Health Care and CTAP, were present at the event.

Almería University rector, Pedro Molina, inaugurated a conference at the PITA Science Centre running under the slogan, ‘Air freight, a method to be exploited.’ This event was organised by the University-Business Innovation Forum. In attendance at the inauguration was the Regional Director of Agriculture and Fishing, José Antonio Salinas, the President of the Forum Logistics Team, Trinidad Cabeo, Almería Airport Director, Santiago Yus Sáenz, and PITA Managing Director, Alfredo Sánchez.

The ‘Learn about PITA’ seminar, which was proposed by the Almería Science and Technology Park, had a great turnout as part of the agenda for the Open Doors Fair and Employment Forum at Almería University. A pleasant and relaxed meeting concluded with the request on the part of the attendees, and the subsequent commitment by the PITA organization, to visit the Technology Park in El Alquián and its Business Centre.

UTE Simave and PITA have signed the award contract for Batch 11, which corresponds to works on the Technology Park’s main building. These works encompass the Electronics Network, the Wireless Data Network and the Perimeter Security System of the PITA Research and Technology Transfer Centre. All work is to be concluded within 12 weeks’ time.

RealTrack Systems, a PITA collaborating company, has participated in a business tour organized by ICEX, along with StepOne, to Silicon Valley-San Francisco and Seattle. From its long journey around the United States, the Almería-based company brings back some “good opportunities,” as stated its manager, Isabel Pérez.

Once again, the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA) has participated in the Open Doors Fair and Employment Forum organized by the University of Almería. Students and representatives from various institutions have visited the PITA stand to have a look at the Business Centre building model, which will be on display until Friday.

As of today, PITA will preside over the Parks Delegation Commission which was constituted this morning at the PITA Science Centre. This working group, which will be chaired by PITA Managing Director, Alfredo Sánchez, is fostered by the Andalusian Network of Technological Areas (RETA) and its purpose is to establish a plan of action for Andalusian technology parks in 2012.

Companies and staff from CADE (Business Development Centres Network) have visited new spaces constructed by the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA). These spaces are also currently available to entrepreneurs and businesspeople via the PITA website, and they include plots at the Technology Park as well as offices and laboratories for rent both at the Business Centre and the Science Centre.

CRP Net, a PITA-based company from the Information and Telecommunications sector, has participated in the International ICT Services and Solutions Trade Fair - SIMO Network, which was held in Madrid. Representatives of this Almería company have brought back several new cloud programming options, primarily ones focusing on eHealth.

The Regional Government of Andalusia has approved an important fiscal measure that will benefit companies which establish operations at the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA). If an entity borrows money from a banking institution in order to set up their business at the Almería Park, this recently passed fiscal regulation makes it so that those amounts can be deducted, as relates to the tax on Customer Deposits at Banking Institutions.

The PITA Executive Board of Directors, presided over by the General Secretary of Universities of the Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science, Francisco Triguero, has given the green light to admitting Innovative Technology for Agriculture, SL into the Technology Park’s Science Centre. This company, which is a Tecnova creation, intends on breaking into the Chinese market.

Business representatives from the Agricultural Service Industry were provided in-depth information this morning about the Reimbursable Funds offered by the Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science. This aid, available through the Andalusian Innovation and Development Agency (IDEA), is intended to help businesses to carry out their respective projects. The conference was organised by Tecnova Foundation and was held at the PITA Science Centre.

The Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA) was in attendance at the signing of the new financing framework for the eleven science and technology parks in Andalusia, as was the president of the Andalusian Regional Government, José Antonio Griñán. PITA Managing Director, Alfredo Sánchez, was also present, along with representatives of the companies established at the Almería-based park.

The Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) has made public its lines of aid for technology-based companies in a conference organised by the Mediterranean Foundation Enterprise-University of Almería. PITA has collaborated in the event led by Mr. Luis Maeso, representative from the CDTI Markets Directorate.

An event was held this morning at the PITA Science Centre which saw the opening of Envelope 3 containing the quotes from Batches 11 and 12 for works on the PITA Research and Technological Transfer Centre in El Alquián.

The Almería Science and Technology Park now has its own blog, blog.pitalmeria.es, which will make it possible to take advantage of the Internet’s collaborative benefits. Companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, teachers, technicians, and any one else from the scientific, business, teaching or innovation communities will have a place to express their ideas on this new site.

An event was held this morning at the PITA Science Centre which saw the opening of Envelope 3 containing the quotes from Batches 9 and 10 for works on the PITA Research and Technological Transfer Centre in El Alquián. Batch 9 corresponded to landscaping works and Batch 10 to furnishings.

PITA has put out to public tender Batch 12 of works on the main building in its Technology Park, those being the Fitting Out of the Kitchen and Restaurant in the Research and Technology Transfer Centre. The tender budget is set at 274,622.93 euros (without VAT) and the deadline for offer submission is 26th August.

An event was held this morning at the PITA Science Centre which saw the opening of Envelope 2 containing the technical proposals of Batches 9 and 10 for works on the PITA Research and Technological Transfer Centre in El Alquián.

PITA has made public its tender for installation work in its main building in the Technological Park; namely the electronics network, the wireless data network and the security system for the PITA Research and Technology Transfer Centre. The budget for this tender is 525,521.62 euros and the deadline for offers is 19th August.

PITA, the Andalusian Employment Agency (SAE), and the Almería Chamber of Commerce have successfully established a collaboration agreement that focuses professional work practice. Over the last two months PITA has received assistance in the field of computer engineering which has made possible the creation of an internal database for the Park.

Tecnova, along with the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre of Andalusia (CITAndalucía), has signed an agreement to organise a technological delegation to Brussels in order that various Andalusian companies may participate in the conference Infoday. This year’s edition will focus on the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) corresponding to Call FP7- KBBE-6-2012, aimed specifically at Food, Agriculture, Fishing and Biotechnology research funding.

Biogolden Solutions, a PITA company, has developed and launched their product VitaSnacks on the market. The product line consists of appetizing crunchy veggie and fruit pieces that are produced using the company’s exclusive texturization technique. They are packaged in either attractive cans or appealing snack bags and are rich in natural antioxidants and hydrosoluble fiber, with no fat or added salt.

The company Cadia Ingeniería based at the PITA Science Centre will be participating in the programme “R+D+I Projects: Andalusia Window to Science” (Proyectos I+D+i en Andalucía Ventana a la Ciencia).  Cadia will do so through the University of Almería (UAL) Automation, Electronics and Robotics Group (TEP-197). This initiative was begun by the Regional Government’s Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science as well as the Granada Science Park.

Antonio Ávila, the Regional Minister of Economics, Innovation and Science and also President of the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA), presided over the Board of Directors meeting held today at the Science Centre.
During this meeting, two new members were chosen to form part of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

This year’s University of Almería Social Council Award for Best Entrepreneurial Project, among whose judges was PITA Directing Manager, Alfredo Sánchez, was shared by two winners: Breca Health Care S.L. and Aqualgae. The award for Student-Entrepreneur, financed by the Ministry of Education, went to Javier Vidal Peña for his project called Webson.

CADIA Ingeniería, a PITA engineering company, has joined an ambitious R+D+I project financed by the Centre for Technological Industrial Development (CDTI) and whose mission is the “Energy Renovation of School Buildings in Andalusia,” a project that goes by the acronym REDUCA in Spanish.

PITA has participated in the latest edition of the Parks World Conference organised by the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) in collaboration with Scion DTU and Symbion, two Danish science parks. This 28th edition of the conference, which lasted 4 days, brought together representatives from 143 science and technology parks from all over the world.

Several representatives from the regional government of Coquimbo in Chile visited the PITA Science Centre to learn more about their Park model as well as establish contacts with other institutions and companies. The Chilean delegation also had the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives from both the Technological Centre for the Agricultural Support Industry (Fundación Tecnova) and GERESUR, the waste management agency.

Representatives from the financial institutions Unicaja and Cajamar, along with shareholders of the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA), have visited PITA’s facilities at both the University Campus and the Technology Park in El Alquián. Executives from both banking organizations received detailed information about PITA’s business plans from its Managing Director, Alfredo Sánchez.

The Andalusian Network of Technological Areas (RETA), the Andalusian Technology Corporation (CTA) and the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA) have held a work meeting at the PITA Science Centre that has also seen the participation of a dozen innovative companies from Almería.

The managing director of the Almería Science and Technology Park, Alfredo Sánchez, and the technological representative of the company Laboratorio Analítico Bioclínico (LAB), José Luis Martínez Vidal, have taken a tour of the construction work that the EBT is carrying out at the Almería Technology Park. This particular project is expected to be finished by next spring.

A delegation of companies from the United States and Germany interested in learning about the thermosolar energy sector in Andalusia, and in possibly conducting business in this region of Spain, have visited the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA). The visitors toured both the Science Centre on the Almería University Campus and also the Technology Park, which is near both the campus and the airport.

Students attending the course ‘Financial Services Business Manager,’ organized by the Fundación Mediterránea, visited the PITA Science Park and some of the companies residing there. These future business managers learnt first-hand about the...

The Marie Curie Conference Room at the PITA Science Centre was the venue for a new workshop organised by the University-Business Innovation Forum. During this work session, which was dedicated to issues concerning the Energy and Sustainability Work Team, the Technical Director of the National Centre for Renewable Energies (CENER, in Spanish), Mr. Fernando Sánchez Sudón, gave a presentation entitled ‘Energy: Current State and Perspectives. Opportunities for Almería.’

A great number of business people in Almería requested to be present at the headquarters of the Almeria Science and Technology Park (PITA) in order to be informed of the best financial tools related to R+D+I. During a cordial and pleasant talk, presentations were made about the aid and subventions which are offered by the National Innovation Company (ENISA); the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce; and the Andalusian Innovation and Development Agency (IDEA). In addition, it was also explained that another programme called INNPLANTA will soon be available through the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The University of Almería (UAL) short course “Advanced Business Management and Administration,” which is currently in its 17th edition, recently welcomed guests Alfredo Sánchez, General Director of the Almeria Science and Technology Park (PITA), and Mª Ángeles Rodríguez, Technical Advisor for the agency IDEA.

Decisiones Geoconstructivas (DG), an innovative engineering company based in Almeria, has volunteered its expert consulting services to the city of Lorca following the earthquake that occurred last 11 May. The company was requested to provide assistance based on both its knowledge of seismological engineering (seismic danger) as well as its experience with structures exposed to earthquakes. DG specializes and researches in the fields of structural, earthquake, geotechnical and dynamic monitoring engineering.

The Almería Science and Technology Park will hold a business meeting on 24 May that will address the three most notable financial tools on offer from several governmental bodies to finance R+D+I. The tools that will be discussed include infrastructure aid from the Science and Innovation Ministry, reimbursable funds from the Andalusian Regional Government, and loans with facilities from ENISA.

Economist and Director of Alcaparras Luxeapers, Sergio Viñolo; Psychology professor and Director of the InPaula Children’s Neurorehabilitation Institute, Pilar Flores; and materials engineer Pedro Jesús Raya comprise the short list of participants taking part in the entrepreneurs symposium at the IDEAS fair.

Students from both 4th grade and vocational training programmes at Amor de Dios Secondary School in Almeria have come to visit the facilities of the Scientific-Technology Park on the University of Almeria campus as well as PITA’s Technopolis located in the town of El Alquián. The group, led by their teacher Casimiro Ortiz, was welcomed by PITA General Director Alfredo Sánchez.

The Andalusian Technology Corporation (CTA, in Spanish) held a workshop on tax deductions for R+D+I at PITA headquarters; it is the fourth held in all of Andalusia. This meeting was organised for the companies that are members of PITA and it aimed to inform and advise them on deductions for R+D+I, Social Security payments for research personnel, the transfer of intangible assets, and patent box.

The regional minister of Economy, Innovation and Science, and President of the Scientific-Technological Park of Almería (PITA), Antonio Ávila, and the regional minister of Labour, Manuel Recio, visited PITA’s stand at the annual agricultural exhibition, Expoagro. Mr. Ávila and Mr. Recio viewed a model of the PITA Business Centre presented by the same institution at this edition of the International Fair of Mediterranean Agricultural Industry; an event which was closed by the ministers themselves.

PITA (Scientific-Technological Park of Almería) has placed photographer Carlos Pérez Siquier on permanent display in its virtual gallery. Internet users will be able to see his photo exhibition entitled ‘La Chanca, quite a neighbourhood,’ dedicated to one of Almeria’s oldest neighbourhoods. The gallery will exhibit a series of pictures that brought the photographer great acclaim and also proved to be a turning point in Spanish photography in the 1960s.

A meeting was held today by the PITA Board of Directors at the organisation’s Scientific Centre. Among other matters, they met to discuss the admittance of three new organisations into the PITA headquarters following their recent approval by the Executive Committee. These entities are Zayin Technology, Geomineral Consulting and the Almería marketing assocation - Club de Marketing Almería.

The registration period is now open (www.feriadelasideas.es ) for the fourth edition of the IDEAS Fair, organised by PITA, the University of Almería and the Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science. This fair welcomes all enterprising entrepreneurs, members of the university and secondary education communities, and any other individuals with new business ideas or projects.