The Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA) took part in the CTX Tech Experience Sevilla Hub 2026, a leading international conference in the fields of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, held on 19 and 20 March in Seville. The event brought together start-ups, technology companies, public administrations, investment funds and professionals from the innovation ecosystem, with the aim of fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and the generation of real impact through technology.
CTX Tech Experience has established itself as a meeting place focused on applied innovation, addressing key challenges related to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, talent, open innovation and the effective transfer of solutions from the pilot stage to their scaling and actual deployment. Over the two days, there were a series of presentations, round-table discussions and networking sessions that fostered dialogue between the public sector, the business community and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As part of this conference, the APBA was represented by its Head of Technological Development, Jesús Medina, who took part in two panel discussions focusing on the role of public administrations – and ports in particular – as active drivers of innovation. Firstly, Jesús Medina took part in the session “Open Innovation: from pilot projects to the real transformation of ecosystems”, a panel moderated by Maria Niebla, coordinator of the Misión Entrepreneurship Centre in Algeciras, and featuring Alberto Alonso, Vice-President of Impact Hub Network, and Alvaro Jimenez, Director of GeneraSur – Open Innovation.
During the debate, which focused on analysing how to move from experimental initiatives to structured, measurable innovation models with a sustainable impact, the importance of correctly defining challenges, involving the right stakeholders and establishing governance mechanisms that allow solutions to be scaled beyond pilot projects was highlighted. In this context, the Port of Algeciras shared its experience in applying collaborative open innovation models, linking real challenges in the port environment with start-ups and technology providers to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions. In this regard, Medina highlighted the work that the APBA has been carrying out for some time with the Algeciras Port Innovation Committee, a working group and shared forum for reflection and knowledge-sharing amongst companies within the Port Community, whose mission is to promote collaborative innovation with a view to improving competitiveness and sustainability, as well as the value proposition of the Port and its Port and Logistics Community. He also emphasised the need to always consider, whenever an opportunity for collaboration arises, what the scenario or roadmap might look like following a potential pilot scheme.
Jesús Medina also took part, alongside his counterparts at the Ports of Huelva and Málaga, Mafran Martínez and Fernando Arjona respectively, in the session “Ports that innovate: what is working and what lies ahead”, moderated by Rocío Díaz, Director of the Innovation Hub at the Port of Huelva, and focused on analysing the origins of innovation in ports and how they drive this activity.
During this session, the APBA highlighted several internal initiatives that help foster a culture of innovation and innovative activity. Firstly, the so-called “innovation drivers”, key figures appointed across the organisation’s various departments who act as regular points of contact with the innovation team, facilitating the identification and communication of needs, opportunities and challenges, as well as the dissemination of innovative initiatives, grants and projects. Medina highlighted the importance of their role in driving the culture of innovation, boosting team participation and acting as a bridge between the innovation strategy and the day-to-day operations of each area. He also highlighted the Innovation Ideas Competition as a tool promoted by the organisation to encourage the active participation of employees and external partners in generating innovative ideas. Through this competition, APBA provides a structured channel for collecting, evaluating and prioritising proposals that contribute to improving processes, services and management models, or to resolving the organisation’s strategic challenges, thereby reinforcing a culture of open, collaborative and results-oriented innovation.
The presence of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority at CTX Tech Experience Sevilla Hub forms part of its commitment to practical, open and impact-driven innovation, seen as a key driver for improving the port’s efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness. Through its participation in forums of this kind, the APBA reinforces its role as an international benchmark in port innovation, sharing experiences, learning from other ecosystems and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with technology providers and entrepreneurs.
From this perspective, the APBA continues to promote initiatives that foster controlled experimentation, collaboration with the innovation ecosystem, and the effective transition of ideas and pilot projects into real solutions that add value to the wider port community and the region.
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