The Xunta champions talent and applied innovation as drivers of greater competitiveness in Galician industry

  • The Director of Igape, Covadonga Toca, opens Industry Day as part of Maker Faire Galicia 2026, highlighting the event’s ability to connect talent, knowledge and business
  • She stresses the importance of turning ideas and knowledge into practical solutions that enable businesses to innovate, grow and compete
  • She praises Galician talent working both within and beyond the region, helping to raise the profile of its innovation ecosystem and create new opportunities

Santiago de Compostela, 9 October 2026

The Director of Igape, Covadonga Toca, today opened Industry Day at Maker Faire Galicia 2026, where she highlighted talent, knowledge and applied innovation as key factors in strengthening the competitiveness of Galicia’s business sector. Speaking at the Casa das Máquinas in Santiago, she emphasised the event’s ability to connect researchers, entrepreneurs, professionals and businesses, fostering new opportunities for collaboration.

She highlighted the track record of an initiative that has now brought together more than 100,000 attendees, participants from over 15 countries, 1,550 makers and 600 projects, helping to showcase talent and new ideas. She drew particular attention to the presence of Galician professionals working both within and beyond Galicia who maintain their ties with the region and help raise the profile of its innovation ecosystem.

The event covers fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, neurotechnology and quantum computing, while also showcasing new initiatives through its customary project pitch session.

Innovation supporting businesses

In this context, Toca Carús stressed that the Xunta is working to help turn knowledge into applied innovation and bring it to businesses in the form of solutions that improve their competitiveness.

Finally, she emphasised that innovation must be accessible to businesses of all sizes and across all sectors, reaffirming Igape’s commitment to supporting them in turning ideas and knowledge into projects capable of generating economic activity and new opportunities.