Iberdrola has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and sustainability at the Startup Olé Salamanca, a premier global event for technological entrepreneurship. This year’s event attracted over 40,000 participants from over 120 countries, including 1,500 startups and scaleups, along with 1,200 speakers and 300 corporations and investors with a collective investment portfolio exceeding €100 billion.
The company has a rich history of innovation in the energy sector through its PERSEO startup program, which has invested over €200 million since its inception in 2008. At the event, Elsa García, head of Iberdrola’s Grid business in Salamanca, and Óscar Cantalejo, head of the PERSEO program, showcased Iberdrola’s latest innovations and investments aimed at advancing the energy transition.
Cantalejo emphasized Iberdrola’s dedication to partnering with entrepreneurs, stating, “Since 2008, we’ve been investing in startups to foster a sustainable industry focused on the energy transition, generating quality jobs and driving progress. Our collaboration with startups is essential for advancing decarbonization and electrification while supporting Iberdrola’s growth through agile technology partnerships.”
García highlighted the significant transformation occurring in the electricity system, noting, “The grids are the cornerstone of the energy revolution, enabling a decarbonized economy with more renewable sources, sustainable mobility, smart cities, and self-consumption.”
At the company’s innovation space, García presented a 3D model of an electrical substation and virtual reality demonstrations, showcasing drone inspections and innovative technologies for insulating power lines to protect wildlife. She emphasized that these pioneering projects, though subtle, provide effective solutions for environmental protection.
Iberdrola’s Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub fosters collaboration with universities and creates opportunities for students, contributing to talent development. Over its 15-year history, the PERSEO program has supported a network of over 7,500 startups, including unicorns valued at over $1 billion, focusing on enhancing sustainability through electrification and decarbonization.
This year, Iberdrola has reinforced its role as a key supporter of Startup Olé, particularly within its Energy Transition vertical, and has collaborated with the University of Salamanca to promote technology transfer and launch joint R&D initiatives, highlighting its commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
