Tenerife Tech Park Booms, Diversifies Island Economy

The Tenerife Science and Technology Park (PCTT) is a major project by the Island Council. It aims to make Tenerife a global leader in technology and innovation.

Located in Cuevas Blancas, southwest of Santa Cruz, one of the park's six sites opened last summer. It currently hosts over a dozen companies, with a waiting list, out of the sixty businesses the park supports. The goal is twofold: to diversify Tenerife's economy beyond tourism and to support high-quality businesses. A look inside its 3,000 square meters shows how this technology hub works.

A modern building in Cuevas Blancas, near Santa María de Mar, was built in 2017 but remained empty until May 2025. Juan José Martínez, the Councillor for Innovation, explained this was "due to a lack of political will." He guided the visit along with Olga Martín, the park's manager, explaining the park's purpose and activities.

Before the tour, Martínez and Martín outlined the park's main goal: "To provide quality spaces and support for technology projects linked to innovation and research in Tenerife." The park also offers specialized training, organizes industry events, helps entrepreneurs, and funds new companies (startups) connected to the park. These benefits encourage businesses to set up in Tenerife.

The Science and Technology Park has six locations. Besides the main site in Cuevas Blancas, there are others in Barranco Grande (digital), the ULL Chemistry Tower, Las Mantecas (space), the Fishing Dock, and the Technological and Renewable Energies Institute (ITER).

Martínez noted, "In just over two years, we have more than doubled the number of companies, from 26 to 63." Due to this high demand, Olga Martín explained, "we converted common areas planned for a cafeteria, gym, nursery, and multi-purpose room into spaces for companies because they are the priority." They are also looking for more space and plan to expand onto an adjacent 26,000-square-meter plot.

The park hosts two types of companies: those from outside Tenerife attracted by the island's advantages, and local startups that grow and need space. The visit showcased examples from sectors like digital, space, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and the circular economy. Olga Martín highlighted the success in bringing back talented people from Tenerife who had left for opportunities elsewhere.

The tour began at Proyectran, a company specializing in digital consulting, design, and technology projects. This successful and growing company, with over ten years of experience, recently moved to the park from La Laguna. Its team has about a dozen people. Marketing Director Tatiana Ojeda and Innovation Manager Angélica Darias welcomed visitors. Proyectran offers consulting, grant assistance, and creative services to businesses. Tatiana Ojeda said, "We are very happy to be here," adding that "the park offers us an ideal environment to grow and develop our services."

Next was Eave, a company founded in 2021 that focuses on solar power and charging stations. It has grown nationwide, with 150 employees, 25 of whom are in Tenerife. Technical Director Cintia Alonso explained they manage over 3,000 charging point subsidies and 500 solar panel subsidies annually. "We are very proud of our growth," she said, aiming to "continue expanding and contribute to the sustainable development of Tenerife and the Canary Islands." Eave won the Princess of Girona Award for Startup of the Year in 2021 for its work in renewables and the circular economy.

Then came Orbidi, a digital marketing company that uses artificial intelligence. It has about 75 employees in the Canary Islands and is expanding, seeking more space. Customer Success Director Claudia Campos and Vice President of Operations Diana Escobar, both from Colombia, explained that Orbidi provides digital marketing services to small and medium-sized businesses. Claudia Campos, who moved from Barcelona, said, "We are very happy to be here," adding that "the park offers us an ideal environment to grow and develop our services. This is a source of pride for us." Diana Escobar emphasized, "we want to continue growing and contribute to the sustainable development of the region." LinkedIn recognized Orbidi as one of Spain's most innovative startups, and it's the first in the Canary Islands to receive this award.

Cristina del Puerto Quinteiro, Orbidi's Human Resources Director, is an example of returning talent. Born in Las Palmas, she studied in Salamanca and Madrid, and worked in London and the Spanish capital. After working in the restaurant industry, she returned to the Canary Islands to pursue her passion for digital marketing. She sees the park as "an ideal framework" for company networking and values the "quality of life." She noted the company's growth from 14 employees in November 2024 to 75 now and is "excited" about upcoming projects.

Nearby are Alisios Dron and Cloud Canary Service, both demonstrating success and growth.

Alisios Dron provides drone pilot training, consulting, and management services for individuals, businesses, and production companies. Having been at the park for six months, it works with public institutions, police forces, and city councils to offer drone training and advice. Antonio Bolaños, who founded the company with Heriberto Méndez, stated, "We are very happy to be here," explaining that "the park offers us an ideal environment to grow and develop our services."

At Cloud Canary Service, an IT company that maintains equipment for education, healthcare, and private businesses, technicians Tedote Conde and Bruno Cáceres explained computer repair to IT students from CIFP César Manrique de Ofra. Student Pedro Cabrera was attentive and "satisfied" with what he was learning. The company, three years old, works with clients like Santander bank, Correos (Spanish postal service), and the Police. It also offers training and internships to young IT students and has hired some. Conde said, "Training is key to accessing work," concluding, "Here we have found an environment that allows us to grow and develop skills."

The tour ended at Apeiron, a European consulting firm that chose Tenerife to expand globally. It works in real estate, construction, and business services. Its first global hub office is in the Barranco Grande Enclave. Headquartered in Madrid, the company focuses on improving cybersecurity, cloud migration, and implementing artificial intelligence for clients worldwide. Amy Van Maasdam, Apeiron's Dutch Delivery Manager, coordinates teams and projects. She explained that Tenerife's excellent location and the technology park's benefits led to their decision to set up there. Van Maasdam is "very happy" to have lived and worked in Tenerife for four months.

Apeiron's office has a team of ten people, and the company plans to continue growing and hiring local talent. "We are very comfortable here," Amy Van Maasdam stated.

This positive sentiment is shared by all those working to improve their companies, and by extension, the island, at the Tenerife Science and Technology Park – a true home for technology.