FUNDACIO CENTRE D'INNOVACIO I TECNOLOGIA DE LA UPC

Their core work

CIT UPC is the innovation and technology transfer foundation of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona. It bridges university research and industry by facilitating the adoption of emerging technologies — particularly in satellite navigation (EGNSS/Galileo), urban mobility services, and open data platforms. Their H2020 work focuses on translating location-based technologies into practical mobility applications and improving how universities interface with business and society.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest H2020 involvement (2016) was broad — focused on improving how universities transfer knowledge to industry through Science2Society. From 2019 onward, they shifted sharply toward a specific technical niche: satellite navigation (Galileo/EGNSS) applied to urban mobility and transport data sharing. This narrowing from general innovation brokering to a concrete technology domain suggests they found their sweet spot in location-based mobility services.

They are moving toward applied satellite navigation and MaaS platforms, making them a relevant partner for projects combining positioning technology with smart urban transport.

How they like to work

CIT UPC participates exclusively as a partner — they have not coordinated any H2020 projects. With 32 unique consortium partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in medium-to-large consortia (averaging ~11 partners per project). This profile is typical of a technology transfer foundation: they contribute specific expertise rather than leading project design.

They have built connections with 32 distinct partners across 9 European countries through just 3 projects, suggesting they join well-connected consortia. Their network is broad relative to their project count, which reflects the large consortium sizes typical of CSA and IA funding schemes.

What sets them apart

As the technology transfer arm of UPC — one of Spain's top technical universities — CIT UPC offers a direct pipeline to university research capacity combined with practical industry experience. Their specific combination of Galileo/EGNSS expertise with mobility and open data platforms is uncommon among tech transfer organizations. For consortium builders, they offer a Barcelona-based node that bridges academic satellite navigation research with real-world urban mobility applications.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MOLIERE
  Their largest funded project (EUR 280K), combining Galileo positioning with blockchain and MaaS — an unusual and forward-looking technology mix.
• ARIADNA
  Directly targeted EGNSS adoption in urban mobility, signaling CIT UPC's commitment to making satellite navigation practical for city transport.