Cantabria
Presentation of the Region
Innovation is a key aspect of our regional competition. It is the main factor in order to close the gap between scientific progress and regional development. Innovation allows companies, and the industrial sector to be more competitive, increasing their benefits and creating a more advanced socioeconomic ecosystem.
One clear message that all competitive economies are developing is the key aspect of reaching the market. Research and Innovation have to work together in order to create open innovation systems focused in all actors within the regional innovation: academia, companies, research centres, and public administration.
In this re-launch of innovative systems all around Europe, regions are very important in order to put into value the traditional elements of developing new competitive models together with the traditional and already implemented productive methods. Developing new innovative strategies based on regional collaboration, together with the global industrial framework or with the Smart Specialisation Strategies already designed and implemented, will be the target of our region.
RIS3 Priorities
Advanced Manufacturing, a change in the industrial model, technology transfer, industrial entrepreneurship, and the international collaboration with other regions developing more international projects, will be some of the priorities in this new challenge we are already facing.
Cantabria is a regional leader in some manufacturing and scientific aspects. Our companies and Research groups are developing regional, national, and international innovative projects in key sectors such as biotechnology, renewable energies, Information, and Telecommunication technologies, Automotive, or Aerospace. Smart health is also a very important field in which we have a valuable expertise.
To be part of the Vanguard Initiative will reinforce the importance of our industrial and technological system, will increase the impact of our open innovation strategy, and will give us the opportunity to increase our participation in international pilot projects.
Political Representatives
María José Saenz de Buruaga
President of the Government of Cantabria
Eduardo Arasti Barca
Regional Minister of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, Transport and Trade
Regional Contact Persons
Javier Puente Redondo
Director General of Innovation, Technological Development and Industrial Enterpreneurship
Angel Pedraja Terán
CEO SODERCAN (Regional Development Agency of Cantabria)
Regional Address
Albert Einstein nº 2 – 5ª planta 39011 Santander Cantabria Spain
Brussels Office Address
Avenue D’Auderghem 22-28 1040 BRUSSELS Belgium
Our Pilots
Latest Updates
Smart Health Rich Online Plenary Meeting Fruitful Year 2024 Field Personalised Medicine
On 5 February, the first 2024 online plenary meeting of the Smart Health Pilot was held and aimed at setting the basis for the annual activities to be carried out to support the pilot’s long-term objective : Accelerating the implementation of Personalised Medicine across Europe.For 2024, the Smart H…
Vi Launches Its Innovative Interregional Funding Mechanism Vinnovate
On 5 December, 16 Vanguard regionssigned a letter of Intent at the Official Launch Ceremony of VInnovate, marking their commitment to participate in its pilot call to be launched in 2024.This novel interregional funding instrument is aimed at enabling the funding of interregional projects in the con…
Vanguard Initiative Celebrates Its 10 Year Anniversary Leading Example Take European Regional
On 5 December, the Vanguard Initiative (VI) organised a 10-year Anniversary conference in Brussels to celebrate a decade of fostering innovation, collaboration, and industrial growth across Europe. The event served as a platform to share VI’s insights on its achievements and milestones. It reached g…




