Over one hundred and twenty entrepreneurs, with nearly 100 innovative projects, have submitted their applications to participate in this event, organized by the Miguel Hernández University Science Park (PCUMH). Of these, a total of 50 initiatives, driven by 69 entrepreneurs, have been selected. The proposals cover areas such as diagnostic methods, products, and treatments in Human Health, digital solutions, new functional ingredients and foods, social and environmental impact, circular economy, cosmetics, footwear, fashion, and catering.
The inauguration took place in the Quorum II building on the Elche campus of the UMH. The managing director of PCUMH, Tonia Salinas, delivered the welcome address, while the director of the Entrepreneurship Area, Javier Sancho, introduced the team of mentors and the program's dynamics. Participants will receive strategic mentoring, sectoral advice, start-up creation training, legal and communication services, and infrastructure support. Additionally, they can compete for over 50,000 euros in funding and other special prizes.
Attendees included the secretary-director of the UMH Social Council, José María Gómez, project promoters, and representatives from sponsoring entities. The UMH Marathon is sponsored by Banco Santander and companies such as Planeta Huerto, Convotis Iberia, Vegabaja Packaging, and Laboratorios Quinton. It also has the support of the UMH chairs Calzado San Crispín and Responsabilidad Social de la Empresa y Sostenibilidad Polo Club-UMH, and collaboration from FEMPA, INESCOP, AEPA, Agilmark Patentes y Marcas, the Port Authority of Alicante (APA), the Business Association of Biotechnology of Alicante (AEBA), and the Professional College of Environmental Scientists of the Valencian Community (COAMBCV).
Special awards will also be granted, promoted by the FISABIO Foundation, the UMH Social Council, and the UMH Science Park, as well as the Altea Emprende award, sponsored by the local Town Hall. The call also includes specific training in no-code/low-code tools from NocodeHackers to facilitate the development of digital prototypes.
Since its launch in 2012, the UMH Science Park has advised over 2,000 entrepreneurs, with around 1,500 business projects, distributed more than one million euros in initial funding, and launched over 200 start-ups.
