The Diputación Foral de Bizkaia has announced plans to allocate €83.4 million in 2027 to enhance advanced entrepreneurship, innovation, and the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This budget represents a 2.5% increase compared to 2026, as presented by the Economic Promotion department during a commission meeting at the Juntas Generales de Bizkaia in Bilbao.
Ainara Basurko, the regional deputy for Economic Promotion, highlighted that advanced entrepreneurship is a key priority for the upcoming budget. The department will dedicate €13.4 million, an 18% increase from the previous year, to support programmes and services aimed at the creation, consolidation, and growth of innovative companies. Direct aid for entrepreneurs and startups will rise by 24%, reaching €4.7 million.
The budget also earmarks €2.7 million for BAT, the B Accelerator Tower, which serves as Bizkaia's International Entrepreneurship Centre, and €2.4 million to further develop financing instruments through Seed Capital Bizkaia to facilitate business creation and growth.
Increased funding for innovation and digitalisation
The Innovation sector will receive €30.8 million, a 15% increase from 2026, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of advanced industry and services. Of this amount, €24.1 million will be allocated to direct aid for companies, representing a 7.3% increase. These funds will support projects in innovation, internationalisation, digitalisation, research and development, decarbonisation, circular economy, and management improvement.
Notably, there will be a 35% increase in the Technology Transfer programme, which supports R&D projects and investments in companies' research and development units. Additionally, funding for basic and advanced digitalisation programmes will rise by 12%.
Talent development and regional competitiveness
The budget also aims to bridge the gap between the skills required by companies and the available talent, with €7.06 million allocated for the development, attraction, and retention of qualified and STEM talent. The collaborative strategy, Bizkaia with the Talent, will continue to promote specialised training, digital skills development, and the attraction of international professionals through initiatives such as 42 Urduliz Bizkaia and Smart Grids Academy.
Furthermore, €5 million will be dedicated to regional development, with €4.09 million for the Bizkaia Orekan Sakonduz strategy and collaborative projects with local agents. Resources for enhancing regional competitiveness and modernising industrial estates will be consolidated, while €545,600 will support the modernisation and professionalisation of local commerce, and €384,400 will aid the artisan sector in Bizkaia.
Lastly, €3.15 million will be allocated to promote Bizkaia internationally, through positioning initiatives, strategic sector events, and attracting high-value investments. This budget prioritises SMEs in industry and advanced services, combining direct support for businesses with investments in talent, technology, and strategic projects to enhance competitiveness and economic development across Bizkaia.
This budget is part of the General Budgets of Bizkaia for 2027, which total €12.11 billion, with €2.35 billion managed by the regional government. After accounting for personnel costs, debt service, and global payment credits, the available budget for departments stands at €1.81 billion.
