Centre de Recerca Matemàtica

What Centre de Recerca Matemàtica does

Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) is a non-profit mathematics research institute founded in 1984 and headquartered on the Bellaterra campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain. It operates as a horizontal research infrastructure supporting ten specialized research groups spanning pure and applied mathematics, including algebra and algebraic geometry, geometry and topology, number theory, mathematical and computational biology, computational and mathematical neuroscience, mathematics for the environment and society, analysis, partial differential equations, dynamical systems, and combinatorics. CRM is part of the CERCA network of Catalan research centers, is operated by the Institut d'Estudis Catalans (IEC), and holds the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation's María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence designation (2022-2025). The institute is governed by an Executive Board, Governing Board, and Scientific Advisory Board, and serves approximately 51-100 staff alongside a wider community of affiliated researchers, postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and visiting scholars.

CRM's core offerings include Intensive Research Programmes (IRPs) that host multi-week collaborative research visits; advanced courses, conferences, and workshops; the BGSMath graduate training unit (joint with UAB, UB, and UPC); an International Programme for Research in Groups (IP4RG); a Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) that brokers applied mathematics and industrial collaboration; and a public outreach program including Pint of Science, Visible Figures, Pi Day, and BIYSC youth engagement. Notable recent additions include the CRM–María de Maeztu Chair of Excellence, launched in April 2025 with inaugural incumbent Professor Chenchang Zhu. Distribution occurs through academic networks, ERC and national grant pipelines, direct researcher engagement, the CRM website, monthly newsletters, and a YouTube channel. The 2024 appointment of Carme Cascante Canut as director — the first director from outside UAB — marked an institutional broadening during the organization's 40th anniversary year.

CRM generates revenue primarily through institutional public funding from the Generalitat de Catalunya, CERCA, and IEC, supplemented by competitive research grants (including ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants, Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, and national programs) and modest income from knowledge transfer engagements with industry. The institute does not sell commercial products and does not disclose pricing for events, courses, or visiting programmes. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and CRM functions as a public research institution rather than a commercial enterprise. Future revenue trajectory is contingent on renewal of the María de Maeztu designation beyond 2025 and continued competitive grant capture.

Name

Centre de Recerca Matemàtica

Legal name

Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM)

Website

https://crm.cat

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) is a Barcelona-based non-profit mathematics research institute, founded in 1984, that hosts research groups, intensive research programmes, graduate training, and industry knowledge transfer for mathematicians, PhD students, and visiting scholars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Public Funding: CRM receives core funding from the Generalitat de Catalunya, CERCA network, and Institut d'Estudis Catalans (IEC), and is patronized by UAB. This constitutes the primary revenue stream for operations.
2. Research Grants: Individual researchers and groups secure competitive funding including European Research Council (ERC) grants, national research awards, and fellowships such as Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions.
3. Knowledge Transfer Services: The Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) and Industrial Collaboration programme provide consulting and collaboration services to industry partners, generating revenue through applied mathematics projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) is a publicly funded mathematics research institute that provides research infrastructure, advanced training, and knowledge transfer services. It hosts 10 specialized research groups, Intensive Research Programmes (IRPs), advanced courses, conferences, and workshops, and runs the Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath) for graduate training. Its Knowledge Transfer Unit facilitates collaboration with industry partners on applied mathematics projects.

Product overview

Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) is a horizontal research infrastructure supporting mathematical research groups and encouraging emerging research directions. CRM operates as a platform offering multiple interconnected services: Intensive Research Programmes (IRPs) hosting collaborative research groups; Advanced Courses, Conferences & Workshops for education; the BGSMath Training Unit coordinating graduate education and internships; a Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) facilitating industrial collaboration; CRM Outreach Programs including Pi Day and public engagement activities; the International Programme for Research in Groups (IP4RG); and the Chair of Excellence Programme recognizing distinguished researchers. The institution also supports specialized research groups spanning Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, Mathematical Biology, Neuroscience, PDEs, Dynamical Systems, and Combinatorics, alongside publications and annual institutional reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Intensive Research Programmes (IRPs) Extended structured programmes hosting groups of researchers for intensive collaborative work on specific mathematical topics at CRM facilities.
• Advanced Courses, Conferences & Workshops Educational and scientific events covering a broad range of mathematical disciplines, hosted at CRM and open to researchers and students.
• BGSMath Training Unit Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics coordinating graduate courses, internships, and master's degree programmes in mathematics across Catalan universities.
• Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) / Industrial Collaboration Unit facilitating collaboration between mathematical researchers and industry, providing consulting and applied mathematics project services to industry partners.
• International Programme for Research in Groups (IP4RG) Programme inviting small groups of 2-6 international researchers for intensive collaborative stays of up to 4 weeks at CRM facilities.
• CRM Research Groups 10 active research groups covering Algebra and Algebraic Geometry, Geometry and Topology, Number Theory, Mathematical and Computational Biology, Computational and Mathematical Neuroscience, Mathematics for Environment and Society, Analysis, Partial Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems, and Combinatorics.
• CRM–María de Maeztu Chair of Excellence Distinguished visiting positions for senior researchers, including the María de Maeztu Chair of Excellence for women mathematicians, launched in April 2025.
• CRM Outreach Programs Public engagement activities including Pi Day celebrations, Visible Figures exhibitions, Pint of Science bar talks, science festivals, school visit programs (BIYSC, Escolab, MAGNET, Bojos per les matemàtiques), and a podcast.

Quantifiable outcome

• Researchers elected to Royal Academy of Sciences
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CERCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRM is part of the CERCA network of research centers in Catalonia, receiving institutional support and coordination through this umbrella organization.
• Institut d'Estudis Catalans (IEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRM is operated by the Institut d'Estudis Catalans (IEC), the principal academic institution responsible for Catalan science and culture.
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAB is the primary patron university hosting CRM facilities at its Bellaterra campus. CRM's first director came from UAB.
• Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGSMath is a joint graduate programme involving CRM, UAB, UB, and UPC, providing advanced mathematics training.
• ERCOMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Research Centers in Mathematics network connecting major European mathematics institutes for collaboration and exchange.
• Pint of Science FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRM collaborates with Pint of Science Sabadell, an international festival bringing research into bars. CRM researchers participate as speakers.
• Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge (BIYSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRM hosts international high school students for advanced mathematics engagement through this youth science programme.
• NeuroMuntminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border European project on decision-making in the mountains, with CRM Knowledge Transfer Unit participating in research on brain risk assessment.
• RIG Programme Edinburgh (ICMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint agreement between CRM's IP4RG and the Research in Groups programme at ICMS Edinburgh for shared collaborative research programmes.
• IRIG Programme CIRMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint agreement between CRM's IP4RG and CIRM's IRIG programme in France for shared collaborative research programmes.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Max Planck Institute for Mathematics (MPIM): German mathematics research institute within the Max Planck Society. MPIM operates similar research group structure, visiting programmes, and graduate training, but with substantially larger institutional funding and global brand recognition.
• Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES): Prestigious French mathematics and theoretical physics research institute. IHES is significantly larger and more elite than CRM, but operates a comparable model of permanent researchers, visiting programmes, conferences, and ERC grant activity.
• Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences: UK-based mathematics research institute at Cambridge hosting intensive research programmes and workshops. Operates a similar visiting researcher model to CRM's IP4RG programme but with significantly larger institutional scale.
• Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) School of Mathematics: Elite US-based mathematics research center. While operating at a much higher prestige tier than CRM, IAS shares the model of hosting permanent and visiting researchers for fundamental mathematics research with minimal teaching obligations.

Direct peers

• Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM): Spanish regional mathematics research center with similar size, public funding model, and applied mathematics focus. BCAM operates comparable research programmes, knowledge transfer activities, and ERC-funded researchers, making it the closest Spanish peer to CRM.
• Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach (MFO): German mathematics research institute specializing in hosting workshops and intensive research programmes. MFO's programme model closely mirrors CRM's IRP and workshop activities, serving similar mathematical research communities.
• Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences: Canadian mathematics research institute hosting research programmes, conferences, and graduate activities. Similar horizontal infrastructure model with thematic programmes and visiting researcher support comparable to CRM's offerings.
• Hausdorff Center for Mathematics (University of Bonn): German Cluster of Excellence for mathematics research at the University of Bonn. Operates a similar cluster-based research infrastructure with multiple research areas, graduate training, and ERC-funded investigators — a direct structural peer to CRM.
• ICMAT (Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas): Spanish mathematics research institute jointly supported by CSIC and Madrid universities. ICMAT offers the closest peer comparison to CRM as a fellow Severo Ochoa/María de Maeztu-style Spanish math center with research groups, training, and knowledge transfer activities.
• Centre de Recherches Mathématiques (CRM Montréal): Canadian mathematics research institute with near-identical name, scope, and structure. Both operate as horizontal research infrastructures hosting visiting programmes, research groups, graduate training, and industry collaboration in pure and applied mathematics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/CRM
• Xx.com/CRMatematica
• Facebookfacebook.com/CRMatematica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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