ASOCIACION INTERNACIONAL DE PARQUES TECNOLOGICOS IASP

Their core work

IASP is the global network association for science parks and areas of innovation, connecting technology parks, incubators, and innovation districts across the world. In H2020, they contributed expertise on innovation ecosystem management, international research-business cooperation (especially EU-Brazil), and space startup incubation support. Their real value lies in connecting disparate innovation actors — universities, startups, investors, and public agencies — through their extensive membership network of technology parks worldwide.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

IASP's early H2020 work (2016-2017) centered on international science diplomacy and EU-Brazil research cooperation, with emphasis on foresight, policy dialogue, and openness in research funding. By 2018, their focus shifted decisively toward space sector innovation — startup incubation, ESA-BIC networks, Copernicus/Galileo commercialization, and connecting space ventures with business angels and European funds. This marks a move from broad international cooperation facilitation toward sector-specific startup ecosystem building.

IASP is pivoting from general international cooperation brokering toward specialized sector support — particularly space — where their technology park network can directly accelerate startup scaling.

How they like to work

IASP participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator, across all three projects — consistent with their role as a network facilitator rather than a research performer. They work in medium-to-large consortia (26 unique partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects), suggesting they function as a connector node bringing access to their global membership. Working with IASP means gaining reach into hundreds of technology parks and incubators worldwide rather than deep technical R&D capacity.

Across only 3 projects, IASP has connected with 26 unique consortium partners in 9 countries, reflecting their role as a high-connectivity network node. Their partnerships span both European and Latin American geographies, with particular strength in bridging EU and Brazilian innovation actors.

What sets them apart

IASP's distinctive asset is their global membership network of 350+ science parks and innovation areas spanning 70+ countries — no university or research institute can match this reach into innovation infrastructure worldwide. For consortium builders, IASP offers instant access to technology park managers, incubation facilities, and local business networks that would take years to assemble independently. They are especially valuable in projects requiring dissemination to industry, startup support infrastructure, or international technology transfer beyond Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SpaceUp
  Their largest H2020 grant (EUR 213,625), marking IASP's strategic entry into space sector startup support via ESA-BIC and Copernicus/Galileo commercialization.
• CEBRABIC
  Established a structured EU-Brazil business innovation cooperation center, directly connecting European and Brazilian innovation ecosystems through IASP's technology park network.
• INCOBRA
  Included foresight and policy dialogue components that shaped EU-Brazil STI cooperation priorities, demonstrating IASP's influence on international research agendas.