FUNDACION FUNDECYT - PARQUE CIENTIFICO Y TECNOLOGICO DE EXTREMADURA

Their core work

FUNDECYT-PCTEX is the Science and Technology Park of Extremadura, Spain, operating as a regional innovation agency that helps SMEs access EU funding instruments and improve their innovation management capacity. They deliver Key Account Management (KAM) and Enhanced Innovation Management Capacity (EIMC) services to SME Instrument and EIC beneficiaries, guiding companies through commercialization and scaling. They also run peer-learning programs where innovation agencies across Europe share best practices on topics like green procurement, digital transformation, and social innovation. Their work bridges the gap between EU innovation policy and practical SME support on the ground.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

From 2014 to 2018, FUNDECYT-PCTEX focused almost exclusively on delivering SME Instrument support services — KAM and EIMC coaching to help funded SMEs scale their innovations. Starting around 2019, their portfolio broadened significantly into social innovation, sustainability, and energy transition policy, while maintaining their SME support core. The shift from pure business coaching toward mission-oriented themes (green deal, social economy, responsible innovation) mirrors the EU's own policy pivot from Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe priorities.

They are evolving from a pure SME business coaching agency toward mission-driven innovation support, particularly around sustainability, social impact, and energy transition — positioning themselves for Horizon Europe's mission-oriented calls.

How they like to work

FUNDECYT-PCTEX primarily joins projects as a participant (11 of 14 projects), but has coordinated three peer-learning CSA projects, showing they can lead when the format matches their strengths. All 14 projects are Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), meaning they specialize in knowledge exchange and capacity building rather than technical R&D. With 33 unique partners across 17 countries, they operate as a well-connected node in Europe's innovation agency network — a useful partner for anyone needing regional SME access in southwestern Spain.

They have worked with 33 different partners across 17 countries, indicating a broad European network of innovation agencies and intermediary organizations. Their geographic spread suggests strong connections to the EEN and similar agency networks rather than ties to specific research clusters.

What sets them apart

FUNDECYT-PCTEX brings deep operational experience in SME innovation coaching — six years of continuous INNOVACTIS contracts make them one of the most experienced KAM/EIMC providers in southern Europe. They are uniquely positioned at the intersection of innovation agency peer learning and hands-on SME support, which means they understand both the policy side and the practical company side. For consortium builders, they offer reliable access to the Extremadura regional innovation ecosystem and a proven track record in CSA project delivery.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RIPEET
  Their largest project by far (EUR 162,375), marking a strategic shift into energy transition policy and responsible innovation experimentation running through 2024.
• INNOVACTIS series
  Six consecutive contracts (2014-2021) delivering SME Instrument/EIC support services — an unusually long and consistent engagement demonstrating trusted delivery.
• P4SME
  Their most recent coordinated project, combining sustainability with SME support — signals their future strategic direction toward mission-oriented innovation.