The startup scene in Spain

ICIQ describes itself as located in Tarragona, lists 19 research groups, and says its chemistry research addresses climate, energy transition, and human health. It advertises contract research, joint units, and fee services, and describes support for researchers creating companies to commercialize institute research.

Examples link Tarragona research with technology ventures. Orchestra Scientific lists a registered office in Tarragona and describes technology to capture and purify carbon dioxide; ICIQ’s 2024 report says Orchestra started a pilot plant testing technology in food and agriculture, including Bodegas Torres. ICIQ describes Treellum Technologies as a spin-off combining its researchers’ photocatalysis and reactor-building expertise, and says its photoreactors control temperature and light intensity. ICIQ’s July 2020 announcement reported a European patent protecting Treellum’s technology.

Other documented links include CitySens, which traces its first development to URV doctoral work in Tarragona in January 2012. CitySens reports a November 2015 crowdfunding launch for a vertical planter with 265 backers and identifies assembly and packaging partners in El Vendrell and Reus. TAC12 reported that an ICIQ Tarragona laboratory had been Jolt Solutions’ operating base; ICIQ’s 2024 report says Jolt started a production plant in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Founder-support routes include Tarragona Impulsa’s advertised contact routing for creating or consolidating a business, Fundació URV’s researcher-founder advice through its Valorization Unit and Entrepreneurship Chair, and ICIQ’s industry-services inquiry route for companies and investors. Tarragona reported selecting 16 projects from 53 submissions for TGN Start-up in April 2026 and later reported 15 startups presenting at its July 1, 2026 Demo Day. These are historical cohort milestones, not evidence of an open application period.