- The EKINN Fest for families, the San Sebastian Science Society open to the general public and EKINN Talent, with almost 350 young people at the Reale Arena, the main events during the 9 th “WeekINN” Innovation Week.
- Once again Innovation Week generates connection spaces to bring science and innovation to local people in an attractive format, and also to showcase its ecosystem favouring interaction with the agents involved.
The 9th Innovation Week, Donostia WeekINN, organised by the Town Hall’s Local Economy and Employment Department through Fomento de San Sebastián, and in association with various agents working in the local science and innovation ecosystem, will be held from the 25th to the 31st of this month. With more than 380 activities arranged at a number of spaces around the city thanks to collaboration with both national and overseas organisations, it has shown a good turnout in the 10 encounters staged so far. And once again this year, collaboration will be a decisive factor in bringing innovation, science and enterprise to local people.
This time around, moreover, enterprise will be a key issue, and EKINN, the innovation and enterprise hub launched this year, will be the main feature of the week, with a festival open to the entire city, an international encounter of young people, and a conference for the most innovative local entrepreneurial projects.
There can be no doubt that Innovation Week represents a boost to Fomento de San Sebastián’s focus on the socialisation of knowledge, with science and innovation as the city’s key sectors, accounting for 35.3% of jobs and 49% of GDP in San Sebastián.
In the words of Local Economy and Employment Councillor Ane Oyarbide, “it is essential for the people of Donostia to be aware of this reality, and to be part of it. They must be apprised of the city’s scientific and technological resources. And in this regard, WeekINN is the best tool to do so. An event which is expanding year by year, helping us reach all target audiences. The very young, helping to bring out new vocations in them, young people who will discover that San Sebastián is a city where they can develop their talent, and also adults who can satisfy their curiosity for knowledge and have fun with the activities organised”.
The following are the main activities at this year’s WeekINN, by dates:
FRIDAY 25th AND SATURDAY 26th
EKINN Fest. Innovation Week opens up the EKINN space (Alto de San Bartolomé) to the city with a citizens’ festival. Thanks to collaboration with entities nearby (Hotel Catalonia and Aldapeta Ikastetxea), on Friday afternoon EKINN Fest will be staging activities for all the family, including games and challenges to bring out STEAM vocations, live music with DJs such as Oihan Vega, guided tours of EKINN, exhibitions, escape rooms etc. A great opportunity to examine science and innovation in a festive family-oriented fun atmosphere.
MONDAY 28th
NEXT GEN. First thing in the morning, EKINN will be the venue for NEXT GEN, the international encounter of young people discussing strategies to make cities more appealing to youth. The event, which will be held in English with free registration, is organised in collaboration with European network Eurocities and Next Generation Academy, and will enable young locals and their foreign counterparts to reflect on this challenge together.
The initiative will be replicated throughout the week with smaller-format conferences at different universities and VET centres in the city.
SAN SEBASTIÁN SCIENCE SOCIETY. In the evening, from 18.30 h to 20.00 h, in association with R+D+i agents operating in the city, the Kursaal Centre will be the venue for this public encounter, at which we will be debating science with a social impact. In addition to talks by renowned scientists, the issue will be discussed by key agents from the world of science.
The criterion of the dissemination and socialisation of Innovation Week is being scaled up. As in previous years, with visits by schools to technology and research centres associated with WeekINN, to enable students to examine their facilities, the technology and the research being conducted in San Sebastián.
TUESDAY 29th
EKINN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT. On Tuesday morning EKINN will be transformed into a connection space between start-ups, entrepreneurs and local innovative companies and investors, national and foreign corporations and other organisations working on the development and expansion of innovative projects.
HITZ EKINN. A discussion over dinner in a relaxed atmosphere for connections and the contribution of ideas and overviews of Innovation and Talent.
WEDNESDAY 30th
EKINN TALENT. On Wednesday morning the Reale Arena will assemble some 400 VET students and students from various universities to examine the city’s job opportunities, and the best way of homing in on them. This activity, which is open to anyone with an interest in the area, will include guidance on how to fine-tune the jobhunting process.
EKINN Talent will also serve to set up an online space for businesses in Donostia to post their job opportunities.
EMAKUME ZIENTZIALARIAK ATZO ETA GAUR. In the afternoon, in collaboration with the “Emakumeak Zientzian” association, the Town Hall’s Plenary Session room will be the venue for an encounter to showcase the role of women in science, and give a boost to STEAM vocations. Female scientific researchers working in our city will share their experiences, and pay tribute to some of the most famous female scientists in history.
THURSDAY 31st
DSS INN AWARDS. The climax to the 11th WeekINN will be the 9th DSS INN Innovative Business Prizegiving Ceremony, during which Fomento de San Sebastián acknowledges companies that have made innovation part and parcel of their business projects and are now leaders in their particular field, and also in the city. The event will also award a prize to the best young innovative business, to a consolidated business, and to an organisation committed to innovation in the city.
Focus on collaboration
The 11th Innovation Week, WeekInn, will be made possible thanks to collaboration by organisations such as Aldapeta Maria Ikastexea, BASQ Basque Quantum, Cebanc, Ceinpro, CEIT, CFM- Centro Física de Materiales, CIC biomaGUNE, CIC NanoGUNE, Clave Capital, Cyber surgery, Deusto University, Deutsche Schule, DIPC - Donostia International Physics Center, Easo Politeknikoa, Easo Ventures, Ekintza ikastola, Elizaran, Elkargi, Emakumeak Zientzian, Euskalhack, Gulink, Herrera Ikastetxea, Hotel Catalonia, IIS Biogipuzkoa, Indexa Capital, La Anunciata Ikastetxea, La Asunción Ikastetxea, Linq, Nazaret, Neety, Polymat, Presentation of Maria Ikastexea, Saint Patrick’s, Santo Tomas Lizeoa, Tecnalia, Tecnun, The Cube, UPV-EHU, Vicomtech, Viralgen, Wekude and Zucchetti.
Schedule of activities
All WeekINN information and times are available at www.fomentosansebastian.eus