Inside Biscay's startup ecosystem: Industrial strengths, public investment, and deeptech ambition

Biscay (Bizkaia), in Spain’s Basque Country, is building on its industrial heritage to develop a startup ecosystem spanning biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, energy and emerging technologies. With public investment, R&D incentives and collaboration between businesses, research institutions and government agencies, the region is positioning itself as a destination for deeptech innovation. I recently attended BIOSPAIN 2026 in Bilbao, where I explored the region's approach to supporting startups, its advantages, and the challenges that remain. Building on industrial and life sciences expertise Biscay is home to more than 300 companies, 20 research centres, four universities and leading hospitals, forming an ecosystem that generates more than €9.4 billion and supports 62,000 jobs. The region is a major hub for the Basque Country's life sciences sector, accounting for 45 per cent of its companies and 56 per cent of revenues. Its more than 135 life sciences companies support over 2