Actua showed in the SCEWC how Andorra is positioning as a “laboratory” for technological “start-ups”

Actua, coinciding with the first day of the Smart City Expo World Congress on Tuesday 15 November, could show how Andorra is taking advantage of being a small country to position itself as a “laboratory” where start-ups (“start- up”) can develop their technological projects.
The Andorran Secretary of State for Economic Diversification, Josep Maria Missé, stressed on many public speeches that “we believe the concept ‘lab’ links well with our wish to provide something unique to start-up businesses interested in developing projects “and said the country can provide really interesting conditions to both small companies and large multinationals.

Missé presented various Big Data projects implemented in the country “that may improve the citizens’ quality of life and the visitors’ experiences.” In addition, he stressed the biggest administration challenge is now to create an attractive ecosystem and areas for entrepreneurs.

From his side, Kent Larson, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, presented to his crowded auditorium, many projects tested in the Principality, such as the Persuasive Electric Vehicle (PEV) and CityScope, a model where you can visually see the impact in Andorra of major events such as the Tour de France and the Cirque du Soleil.

Committed to innovation

The presence at the Smart City Expo World Congress, in Barcelona, was a tangible example of Andorra’s commitment to innovation. During the event, the exhibition space hosted meetings with entrepreneurs, businessmen and potential investors, and Andorra presented various projects developed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT).