José María Zabala Martínez (Oteiza, Spain, 1947), founder and Chairman of Zabala Innovation, is one of Spain’s leading figures in the field of innovation.
He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leuven (Belgium, 1973) and a PhD in Applied Natural Sciences from the same institution (1976). He was a pioneer in Spain’s participation in European programmes following the country’s accession to the European Common Market (1986).
- 1976–1981: MEPAMSA
- 1981–1986: GNAV – INDUSTRIA
- 1 January 1986: Founded Asesoría Industrial Zabala, now known as Zabala Innovation
- 1986: Founded Z-Láser, S.A. for the commercialisation of industrial lasers
Zabala Innovation currently employs a professional team of 600 people across its 13 offices in five European countries (Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain) and works with more than 10,000 client organisations, including companies, technology centres, universities and public administrations.
He has carried out and participated in numerous studies for regional, Spanish and European institutions and public authorities, including the following:
- Review of the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (EECTI) 2013–2020, commissioned by the European Commission
- Participation in the Peer Review (an independent international audit of Spanish science and R&D&I), organised by the Secretariat of State for R&D and the European Commission with international experts (2014)
- Development of regional innovation strategies and RIS3 (Research and Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategy) for various Spanish regions (Navarre, Valencia, Cantabria, La Rioja, Extremadura, among others)
- Development of several regional Technology Plans. Particularly noteworthy is the design of the first three Technology Plans for Navarre, drawn up with broad participation from agents of the Navarrese innovation system—especially companies—which positioned Navarre as a national leader with an R&D investment equivalent to 2.4% of GDP in 2023
He is a member of the R&D&I Commission of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE), where he is responsible for maintaining dialogue with public authorities and various organisations on national R&D&I activities and policies.
He has written and published numerous articles in the press. One example is:
- Expansión: Innovation: believers or practitioners?
He has received the following honours and awards:
- “ASTER Award for Professional Career”, ESIC (Pamplona, 2003)
- “Innovation Award”, Navarre Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Pamplona, 2006)
- “Entrepreneurial Spirit Award”, Official Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg (Brussels, 2016)
- “Businessman of the Year 2015”, Navarre Business Confederation (CEN) and Negocios en Navarra (Pamplona, 2016)
- Honorary Award “Donostia WeekInn”, San Sebastián City Council and Fomento de San Sebastián (Donostia, 2018)
- “Francisco de Javier Award 2019”, Government of Navarre (Madrid, 2020)
- “Company of the Year Award 2023”, awarded to Zabala Innovation by the Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg
