Ferrovial and Madrid City Government presented Madrid Smart Lab, a pioneering initiative to support entrepreneurs in developing innovative solutions that improve citizens’ mobility and living standards. The programme, coordinated by Ferrovial Servicios’ Cities Centre of Competence, is further evidence of the company’s unwavering commitment to continuous innovation.
Today Ferrovial and Madrid City Government presented Madrid Smart Lab, a novel initiative to identify and promote entrepreneurial projects in the area of municipal services. The programme, coordinated by Ferrovial Servicios in cooperation with Ferrovial’s Innovation Department, will choose up to 14 projects which aim to improve living standards and urban mobility for citizens.
Anyone interested in participating must submit their initiatives by 30 September. Projects will be selected on the basis of relevance, innovation, and potential benefits, as well as their developers’ ability to successfully implement them. The programme includes training for entrepreneurs and advisory services to help selected participants create a viable business model, as well as an incubation period to develop their initiatives. The projects will then potentially be tested out in the Fuencarral-El Pardo district. The programme will be headed by Ferrovial Services’ Cities Excellence Centre.
Attendees at the presentation, which was held at the Madrid Madrid International Lab, included Pedro González Torroba, General Manager of Trade and Economic Development at Madrid Emprende; José Antonio González de la Rosa, Alderman for the Fuencarral-El Pardo district; Carlos Barrabés, business angel and chairman of Barrabés; and Íñigo Jodra, director of Ferrovial Services’ Cities Excellence Centre.
This programme is part of Ferrovial Services‘ strategy to effectively support cities in implementing innovative initiatives, enhancing services using the most innovative solutions, and contributing to the development of society by supporting entrepreneurship.
INNOVATION TO FACE CHALLENGES
Ferrovial uses innovation as a strategic tool to respond to the global challenges faced by the infrastructure industry. The company is implementing an open innovation model involving cooperation with companies, public administrations, universities, and entrepreneurs, and has collaboration agreements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and over 30 universities and technology centres to develop specific solutions.
The company has been distinguished on several occasions for its innovation in various areas of its activity. Íñigo Meirás, CEO of Ferrovial, was recently presented with the National Innovation Award by King Felipe VI in recognition of the initiatives developed and executed by the company in the countries where it operates as part of its ongoing internationalization strategy.
