Ikerlan reaches €34 million in research projects in 2025

Ikerlan, a technology center and member of the MONDRAGON Corporation and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), closed 2025 with revenues of €34 million, representing 3% growth compared to the previous year and consolidating the upward trend of recent years. Of this figure, €19 million corresponded to R&D projects with companies, while €13 million came from research activities under public programs.

Technology transfer activities with companies continue to be one of the center’s main growth drivers, accounting for 59% of total revenue and reinforcing its position as a leading technology partner for industry. In addition, 80% of company-related revenue came from Basque companies, reflecting the center’s strong commitment to its local environment. At the same time, research activity remained stable despite intense competition in European programs, supported by participation in Basque Government initiatives such as the Elkartek and Emaitek Plus programs.

“2025 was a positive year for Ikerlan. Through hard work, we consolidated our growth and strengthened our focus on transferring value to companies. The results achieved reflect the solidity of our model and our ability to adapt to an increasingly competitive environment. Today, Ikerlan is a stronger, more relevant technological and cooperative project with an even greater positive impact on society”, stated Ion Etxeberria, Managing Director of Ikerlan, during the Annual General Meeting held today in Arrasate-Mondragón.

At the same time, Ikerlan invested €1.8 million in strengthening key technological infrastructures, such as PCB and energy storage laboratories, which are essential to maintaining its future competitiveness.

2025 was a positive year for Ikerlan. Through hard work, we consolidated our growth and strengthened our focus on transferring value to companies. The results achieved reflect the solidity of our model and our ability to adapt to an increasingly competitive environment.

Boosting the startup ecosystem

The development of the startup ecosystem was one of the most significant milestones of the year. Highlights include the transformation of Orbik Cybersecurity into a cooperative and the agreement with MONDRAGON that will mobilize more than €10 million over the next four years to create new business initiatives in the Basque Country.

Within this framework of collaboration with MONDRAGON, two new business ventures were launched in 2025. One is Innkia, focused on artificial intelligence solutions and created together with Laboral Kutxa; the other is Amets, aimed at developing advanced power electronics solutions for electricity grids, in collaboration with the Arteche Group. These initiatives reflect a firm commitment to generating economic activity and employment in the technology sector and reinforce Ikerlan’s role as a driving force for technological entrepreneurship in the region.

Artificial Intelligence as a strategic priority

During 2025, Ikerlan defined its new strategic framework, IK2029, aligned with the priorities of MONDRAGON’s socio-business project and the Basque Industry Plan. This plan positions artificial intelligence as a key transformation axis, not only as a technological lever but also as a field in which Ikerlan aims to establish itself as a leading player in supporting companies in its adoption, thereby contributing decisively to their competitiveness and adaptation to new industrial and business challenges.

In this context, the center’s chairman, Adolfo Plaza, emphasized during the meeting that “Ikerlan plays a strategic role in business competitiveness, especially in today’s context of rapid technological acceleration. The progress achieved in 2025, particularly in promoting startups and defining our future strategy, lays the foundations for continuing to generate economic and social impact in the years ahead. We must continue making solid progress and taking key strategic decisions in support of our technological vocation, cooperative commitment, and deep roots in our environment”.

Ikerlan plays a strategic role in business competitiveness, especially in today’s context of rapid technological acceleration.

Greater presence in Bizkaia, talent, and research

The center continues to strengthen its presence in Bizkaia and, during 2025, took two particularly important steps. On the one hand, it expanded its Bilbao facilities, consolidating its operational capacity in the territory. On the other hand, it presented the Bilbao Bizkaia Digital Hub project, an initiative with an investment of more than €20 million, to be located in the Zorrotzaurre Technology Park. Thanks to the collaboration between Mondragon Unibertsitatea and Ikerlan, with the support of MONDRAGON, the project will contribute to boosting talent development and advancing digital technologies as drivers of regional transformation.

From an organizational perspective, the workforce remained stable with the addition of 15 new cooperative members. Ikerlan currently employs a team of more than 400 specialized professionals. In 2025, the center was awarded the BIKAIN ORO certificate by the Basque Government, recognizing the highest level of use and management of the Basque language and reinforcing its commitment to a language strategy fully integrated into its activities.

In the scientific field, Ikerlan maintained intensive research activity throughout 2025, with 57 doctoral theses underway, 7 completed, and 10 newly launched. The center continues to strongly promote close collaboration with the university network and maintains strategic relationships with institutions such as Mondragon Unibertsitatea, the University of the Basque Country (EHU), and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, among others.