Esteban Pelayo

Esteban Pelayo is a recognised European innovation and regional-development leader with 25+ years’ experience helping businesses and public bodies turn ideas into growth. He is Managing Director (CEO) of the Alicante Science Park (PCA), where he drives the expansion of 50+ tech companies through R&D cooperation with the University of Alicante, access to funding, internationalisation, and talent attraction.

Previously, Esteban served as Director of EURADA – the European Association of Development Agencies (Brussels), building partnerships across Europe and advising on smart specialisation, cluster policy, technology transfer, and SME growth. Earlier roles include EU Policy Officer in the Region of Murcia’s Brussels Office, coordination of technology centres and intellectual property at the Regional Development Agency of Murcia (INFO), and technology transfer at the University of Alicante (OTRI).

He has contributed to European expert groups and initiatives, including the IMP³rove Advisory Board, the European Commission’s Mirror Group for Smart Specialisation, the Structured Dialogue with ESI Funds expert group, and as an H2020 expert evaluator. Esteban’s work spans 30+ countries. He holds an Agricultural Engineering degree (University of Córdoba) and a university specialisation in patents & innovation (University of Alicante). He works in Spanish and English (with French as a working language).