The VQCC at the “Galicia:
Industria & Tech 4.0” forum
Galicia is cementing its status as one of the country’s most dynamic innovation hubs. On September 30, 2026, the Consorcio de la Zona Franca de Vigo hosted the “Galicia: Industry & Tech 4.0” forum. Organized by the newspaper EL PAÍS, driven by Zona Franca and sponsored by Gradiant and TRL 13, the event brought together experts, executives, and institutional leaders to discuss reindustrialization, the energy transition, and technology within a complex global geopolitical landscape.
The gathering highlighted the deep industrial transformation underway in the region, fueled by cutting-edge sectors such as aerospace, semiconductors, photonics, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence. Much of this high-value ecosystem stems from the work of the Consorcio de la Zona Franca de Vigo, which has repurposed spaces to host milestones like Spain’s first photonic chip factory in the Valladares Technological Park, alongside benchmark initiatives like the Gradiant technology center and its deep tech investment fund, TRL13.
Throughout the day, speakers tackled how to address global challenges, ranging from hybrid threats to cybersecurity, by turning technological innovation into a driver of progress and competitiveness for both the Galician and Spanish economies. Representing the VQCC, the event featured the participation of Prof. Marcos Curty, who took part in the roundtable discussion on “Innovation, talent, and new industries,” alongside Luis Pérez Freire (Executive Director of Gradiant) and Rafael Comesaña (Vicerector of Innovation at the University of Vigo).
A video of the event is available at: https://elpais.com/economia/negocios/2026-09-29/galicia-industria-tech-40.html
