Vice-President of the Galician Parliament between 2001 and 2005, Inmaculada Rodríguez has extensive experience in leadership and business strategy in the industrial, pharmaceutical, financial, services, technological and public sectors. Since the end of 2020 she is the CEO of Unirisco, a private venture capital company, driven by universities and leading companies in Galicia, whose purpose is to accelerate the transfer of knowledge by supporting the creation of science and technology-based spin-offs.

What is Unirisco's mission?

Our mission is to transform university-generated knowledge into successful entrepreneurial projects through funding and strategic accompaniment. We call this "entrepreneurship". There are many business areas in which to provide such support. We ensure that science and technology become a source of competitive advantage for the companies that are going to be their customers, incorporating these solutions into their business. We are sure that the creation of technological and scientific companies is the way to make a great impact on society, in the creation of technological jobs and new solutions. We have been providing this support to researchers for 22 years and we are a unique case in Spain, since, apart from our work, our partners are the three Galician universities, Abanca, Hijos de Rivera, Inditex, Constructora San José, Santander, Gadisa, Pescamar, Consorcio Zona Franca de Vigo and R Cable. A truly exceptional case of cooperation.

Regarding the transfer of knowledge from research to market, what is the main challenge?

The knowledge generated must be sufficient to meet the challenges of the companies, which will ultimately be the customers who "consume" this technology. This alignment is essential. For our part, we identify the technological challenges of our partner companies and share them with the universities to try to facilitate this greater knowledge.

How do you assess the Galician entrepreneurial ecosystem and the role of universities in promoting and supporting the creation of new companies?

In Galicia we have a very active entrepreneurial ecosystem and the role of universities is fundamental. Let's not forget that the best science and technology comes from research and that is the main raw material for a new, scalable project. Companies cannot possibly have the knowledge and resources for research, as the issues are becoming more complex and specialised with each passing day. Science is the answer to the innovation needed to increase business competitiveness. Having new solutions is what creates jobs today. Behind each everyday form of technology, there is a high level of R&D&I development, and I don't think we realise it. That is why supporting and encouraging universities to create high-tech companies is essential.

The Xunta de Galicia has a Financial Agenda. How do you assess these measures to help finance the Galician and innovative business network?

Having 400 million euros to revive and improve business competitiveness is a very good measure, since it takes time and economic resources to incorporate new technologies. Innovation is not accessible to all companies, as they must first guarantee their daily operations, payroll, taxes... And innovation is, of course, something more medium-term. This initiative provides a cushion to be able to take that impulse that transforms the fabric, adapting it to the new times and requirements of global markets.

What do universities offer to the business world and vice versa?

Companies offer specific challenges that need solutions and, at the same time, they will be the clients of these "discoveries" that are developed at universities. Universities offer enormous talent, teams dedicated to knowledge development, in connection with excellent centres worldwide, integrated in networks and knowing the latest of the latest in each area of science and technology. In Galicia we should be very proud because we have excellent scientists and that is the first step to develop truly cutting-edge science and technology.

How many projects have you promoted since the creation of Unirisco?

Since our creation, 36 projects, of which only 6 fell by the wayside. Some are well-known success stories, such as Quescrem, Galchimia, Hifas da Terra, AMS Lab, Health in Code... We have promoted more than 150 patents and created more than 450 highly qualified jobs.

What direction should the university-company relationship evolve towards?

Universities must be more willing to create companies to be able to develop the possibilities of transferring their knowledge to the maximum, and not remain a unique and exceptional case. Researchers should be encouraged to be entrepreneurs, to see entrepreneurship as attractive, to have academic and social recognition, because economic recognition will surely come and that is not a bad thing. Entrepreneurship is not "perverting science", but rather fulfilling the obligation to transmit knowledge to society.

Universities should be more aware of the challenges facing companies and companies should improve their connection with universities so that we can all work together to promote new products, services and improvements, each in their respective areas, but without wasting energy and opportunities. I believe that companies and universities must work towards greater efficiency in their relationship because there is no time or resources to waste, today's competition is global.