AseBio strengthens the strategic role of the biotechnology sector in the National Forum for Emerging Companies

On May 27, the inaugural meeting of the Plenary of the National Forum for Emerging Companies was held at the headquarters of the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service. This space, created at the end of last year by the Government, is intended as a space for dialogue and collaboration between the public sector and the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem, driven by the "Startups Law." Its main objective is to promote the development of startups in high value-added sectors such as biotechnology, fostering innovation and the growth of the Spanish economy.

AseBio participated in the preliminary consultation process leading to the creation of this Forum, contributing its expert knowledge on the role this space should play, with specific proposals on the functions and objectives necessary to ensure effective support for innovative entrepreneurship in Spain. In this context, AseBio stands as the only sectoral organization represented in this Forum, alongside the digital sector, underscoring the recognition of biotechnology as a strategic sector for economic development, innovation, and the transformation of Spain’s productive fabric.

96% of the Biotech Sector Consists of SMEs and Micro-SMEs

Biotechnology companies drive transformative innovations with a profound impact on society and the environment. These companies develop pioneering solutions and operate in highly regulated, complex markets, which involve long development cycles, significant investment needs, and considerable risk in each project.

The current landscape in Spain reveals a dynamic sector that creates an average of 50 new companies each year and is made up of nearly 1,000 companies, 96% of which are SMEs and micro-SMEs, according to the latest AseBio report. For this reason, spaces like the National Forum for Emerging Companies are vital to fostering the development and growth of startups through policies and mechanisms that address their specific needs.

AseBio’s Proposals in the Law for the Promotion of the Emerging Companies Ecosystem

In line with our mission, AseBio took part in the drafting process of the Law for the Promotion of the Emerging Companies Ecosystem, known as the “Startups Law,” submitting specific proposals to strengthen the role of biotechnology as a strategic sector within the economy. AseBio’s contribution focused on promoting a regulatory framework tailored to the unique characteristics of biotech companies.

Among our key contributions was the inclusion of a specific definition of an emerging company, extending the startup recognition period from five to seven years for strategic sectors such as biotechnology.

We also advocated for improved tax incentives to promote private investment in emerging companies, proposing an increase in the deduction base from 50% up to an annual limit of €100,000 for investments in newly created companies. These proposals, incorporated into the Law, strengthen support for innovative entrepreneurship in key sectors for the transformation of the Spanish economy.

At AseBio, we celebrate our participation in the Plenary of the National Forum for Emerging Companies as a recognition of the strategic value of biotechnology and its transformative potential for the Spanish economy. We reaffirm our commitment to working actively within this space to highlight the needs of biotech startups—which represent the vast majority of the sector’s business fabric in Spain—and to continue promoting a supportive framework that ensures their development, growth, and contribution to a more innovative, sustainable, and competitive society.