25 years ago, it all started with an idea: to envision and imagine a more connected, smarter and more humane world. Today, looking back, we’re excited to see what we’ve accomplished together. With every line of code, every discovery and every challenge overcome, we have been able to build our story.
2025 marks a new chapter: our 25th anniversary.
We have been working and researching for 25 years to add value to our environment and transfer knowledge to society. Because, during all these years, we have been developing a vision of the world where technology and people are the real drivers of change.
And we want to share it.
Join us for a walk through our history
2001
Founding of Vicomtech
Motivated by the German model of the Fraunhofer Institute with the desire to create a Technology Centre in the Basque Country to cover the same needs. Julián Flórez was appointed General Director of the centre.
First team
Julian Flórez starts as General Manager. Jorge Posada, the main international contact, joins Vicomtech as Scientific and Deputy Director, followed by Edurne Loyarte, as Financial Director, Aloña Otero and the research team starts to be formed.
2001
2003
First Agreement with a University
Vicomtech and UPV/EHU join forces to transfer talent from the educational institution to our centre
ISO9001 certified
We obtained our first ISO9001 certificate, one of the standards that sets the minimum requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS).
2004
2005
The team is growing, we are already 35
Little by little we were growing. With a common goal, to create technology that would transform the world. With effort, passion and many ideas, the team grew, adding talent and dreams. Each member brought with them energy and knowledge.
UNE 166002
This year we obtained the UNE 166002 certificate, with which we are most identified and which accredits us for excellence in R&D&I, as well as positioning us at the forefront of innovation management.
2006
2007
The First Building
+ Division into Departments
The first division of Vicomtech into departments is carried out. We also sign the purchase of our first building in Paseo Mikeletegi Nº57.
Also this year, Vicomtech starts to take its first steps in the mobility area.
Reconocimiento como Centro Tecnológico en Euskadi
2008
2009
Rebranding
Rebranding of Vicomtech including the design of a logo incorporating a sign resembling an eye in the ‘o’, reflecting our specialisation in Machine Vision technologies. Blue, often associated with intelligence, trust and security, reinforces our identity.
We continue to grow
This year we were recognised as a Technology Centre by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
In addition, there are now 93 people in the team.
2010
Acquisition of KUKA, Vicomtech's first robotic arm
Acquisition of KUKA, Vicomtech's first robotic arm for the Medical Laboratory.
2012
Our 2nd Building
We continue to grow and have acquired our second building, No. 63 on Paseo Mikeletegi.
2013
We opened our Linkedin channel
2014
The Department of Industry is born
2015
Celebración de 15 aniversario
We are celebrating our 15th anniversary! This same year we obtained the ISO 14001, the Silver A of Euskalit and the RVCTI accreditation.
In addition, there were already 112 people in the team.
We bought CARLOTA
2016
2017
GKN Excellence Award
The GKN Executive Committee awards GKN Driveline Legazpi the Excellence Award in the Technology category for the project carried out in collaboration with us and Sariki on non-contact measurement for forged inner rings.
2018
Another building
Vicomtech continues to evolve. We continue to grow and need more space, so we acquired a part of another building, No. 61, and obtained ISO 14001 certification.
Joining BRTA and celebrating our coming of age
The Basque Government constitutes the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA) and Vicomtech joins as one of the 17 members. The International Advisory Committee is also constituted.
Moreover, this year we celebrated our 18 years of activity and Mario Barral retired, being the first person to retire from Vicomtech.
2019
2020
The pandemic arrives
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the on-site activity and we began to operate remotely, except for the minimum services, but we continued to grow. There were already 166 people in the team.
Back to face-to-face activity
We join BAIC
Our first office in Bilbao
In October, we return to face-to-face activity with all the corresponding health and safety measures. In addition, that same month we celebrated the inauguration of our first office in Bilbao. This year we obtained a new ISO 27001, and thanks to this certificate, which is key in an increasingly digital world, we guarantee effective management of information security, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity and availability.
The BAIC (Basque Artificial Intelligence Center) is constituted and Vicomtech joins it as a founding member.
2021
2022
A successful year
On our path towards excellence in management, this year we won the Euskalit Award for best practices in talent management. We also obtained ISO 22301 certification. The adoption of this standard involves the preparation of Continuity and Testing Plans that respond to disruptions, reducing their impact and ensuring business continuity. We were also awarded the Silver Bikain Recognition, which confirms and recognises the degree of standardisation of the presence, use and management of the Basque language in our centre.
Also this year, our governance model evolved and two divisions were created: Industry and Transport and Safety.
Vicomtech joins the MUBIL cluster and we are already 260 people in our staff
The Basque Government announces the construction of the Mubil Hub. Together with public and private agents, Vicomtech will be part of it to promote smart mobility initiatives.
In order to generate community, attract talent and reinforce our brand image, we also opened our new Instagram profile!
2023
2024
Inauguration of Vicomtech Bilbao's new headquarters + our 5th building in San Sebastian
We continue to grow! Vicomtech acquires a new building in Donostia (Nº65) and inaugurates its new headquarters in Zorrotzaurre, Bilbao, seeking to consolidate Bilbao-Bizkaia as an AI hub, attract talent and strengthen the scientific-technological capacity of the Basque Country. This year it also obtains the ISO 13485 certificate.