Interview
An Interview with Laureen Lemus, Director of the Vicálvaro Industrial Factory
14 de October de 2024
Today we talk to Laureen Lemus, Director of the Vicálvaro Industrial Factory.
Laureen, you’ve had a diverse career, from working in well-known companies to launching your own projects… We ask you for a self-introduction: Who are you, what have you done in your career and what projects are you currently immersed in?
I am Laureen Lemus, passionate about innovation, business development and business strategy, with a clear focus: to make things happen. My link with the business world began at a very young age, growing up in a family of entrepreneurs that transmitted to me that dynamism and tireless spirit that today define my way of working.
Throughout my journey, I have had the privilege of collaborating on a wide variety of projects, from large corporations to disruptive startups, including my own ventures. My professional career has allowed me to explore both business management and strategic consulting, always with the aim of generating a significant and lasting impact in each company I work with.
Currently, as Director, I lead the Vicálvaro Industrial Factory, an innovative space of the Madrid City Council where we incubate and catalyze projects of industrial SMEs that are committed to the future. My mission is clear: to boost the potential of each company in an agile and sustainable environment, helping them transform their ideas into tangible realities that make a difference.
Today we are here to talk about the Madrid-T: Place to be project, which you have been part of in one of its round tables on Entrepreneurship. What do you think can attract entrepreneurs and start-ups to Madrid the most?
In my opinion, what can most attract entrepreneurs and start-ups to Madrid is its vibrant and ever-growing ecosystem, combined with strong institutional support both locally and regionally. Madrid offers a very powerful network of contacts, access to funding, and a diverse community of professionals willing to collaborate. In addition, the city has a strategic location in the heart of Europe, making it easy to connect with other important markets. The culture of innovation in Madrid is booming, and there are many opportunities for startups to develop and scale quickly
How does Madrid-t contribute to creating a favourable environment for the growth of local industry?
Firstly, Madrid-t promotes the city as a platform for innovative research and development, making it easier for local businesses and industries to access the latest trends and technologies. In addition, it fosters collaboration between professionals, academics and industries, creating a solid network of national and international talent that strengthens innovation and business growth.
On the other hand, it also highlights the city as a technological and digital hub, attracting investments and startups that are looking for an environment conducive to the development of their projects. By positioning Madrid as a center of educational and multicultural excellence, it attracts students and professionals from all over the world, which not only diversifies the talent available, but also enriches the local industrial ecosystem with new ideas and perspectives.
Together, all these initiatives not only drive innovation and development in the local industry, but also reinforce Madrid’s reputation as an epicenter of talent and technology at a global level.
Tell us what practical advice you would give to young people or professionals who want to launch their own projects in Madrid
My main advice for those who want to start a business in Madrid is to focus on networking and collaboration. Madrid has a very open entrepreneurial community, so taking advantage of these connections can make the difference between an idea that stays on paper and a project that really takes off. In addition, I would recommend that they remain agile and flexible and resilient, adapting their strategies according to the needs of the market and exploring strategic alliances that allow them to grow faster.
As you know, Madrid-t aims to turn Madrid into a talent hub, why should young talent invest in Madrid instead of in other cities around the world?
Madrid has a unique attraction for young talent, and that is its ability to combine professional and business development opportunities with a high quality of life. Unlike other cities, Madrid offers a perfect balance between professional development and personal enjoyment, which is essential for the well-being and creativity of young talent. And while there’s still a lot to do, the city is establishing itself as a tech and innovative hub, with a strong infrastructure and a rapidly growing startup community. Companies and young professionals can find here both the opportunity for development and to be part of a community that values collaboration and innovation.
Finally, collaboration between industries and startups is essential for innovation, what do you think is needed for Madrid to become a benchmark for industrial innovation at the European level?
For Madrid to consolidate itself as a benchmark for industrial innovation at the European level, it is essential to further strengthen and promote public-private collaboration. It is essential to create and enhance strong alliances between large corporations, SMEs, startups and the public administration, creating an environment in which all parties work together towards a common goal. This collaboration must be supported by an infrastructure that not only drives technological innovation, but also facilitates the development and implementation of disruptive ideas in the market.
In addition, we need policies that encourage investment in R+D+i and, most importantly, that ensure the transfer of these innovations to the market, so that they translate into real and competitive growth. Madrid’s success as an innovation hub will depend on its ability to build an inclusive ecosystem, where both large corporations and startups can collaborate and co-create, sharing knowledge and resources to solve common challenges.
Madrid already has a solid foundation and great potential in the field of innovation, but the next crucial step is to connect all these actors in an environment that favors continuous co-creation and the exchange of ideas. Only in this way will we be able to turn Madrid into a true engine of industrial innovation at European level, capable of attracting talent and generating solutions that lead the future
