What Debegesa does

Debegesa is the regional economic development agency (Garapen Agentzia) for the Debabarrena comarca in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. Founded in 1985 as a publicly owned Sociedad Anónima whose shareholders are the eight municipalities of Debabarrena, the agency is headquartered in Eibar and operates with a workforce in the 11–50 employee range. Its mandate covers employment and training services, business and entrepreneurship support (including the MAKE IN! and HELDU! programs and digitalization/innovation services such as BeTEK), energy advisory (Energia Bulego Birtuala and the TEK Azitain industrial energy community), housing rehabilitation services tied to Next Generation EU subsidies, the Debabarrena socioeconomic Observatory, and tourism through the Euskal Kostaldeko Geoparkea.

Debegesa does not generate commercial revenue in the conventional sense. Its operating budget is funded through contributions from its eight municipal shareholders, transfers from the Basque Government (Eusko Jaurlaritza) and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council (Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundia), and competitive grants from the European Commission (notably Horizon 2020 and Next Generation EU). Service delivery is free at point of use for residents, SMEs, and municipalities within the comarca. Distribution is direct via municipal channels and partner networks, including Lanbide (Basque Employment Service), Mondragon Unibertsitatea, GARAPEN (the Basque Association of Development Agencies), Oinarri, Elkargi, and AVS.

Strategically, Debegesa has broadened its mandate in 2022–2023 via the launch of the HAZILAN+ employment program, the launch of TEK Azitain (Gipuzkoa's first industrial energy community), the conclusion of the Opengela EU rehabilitation project, the signing of an export-finance cooperation agreement with Oinarri and Elkargi, admission to AVS, and the securing of €5.2 million in funding for the Euskal Kostaldeko Geoparkea. The agency is governed by a 2023–2026 strategic plan that aligns its regional development role with EU funding cycles.

Name

Debegesa

Legal name

DEBEGESA S.A.

Website

https://debegesa.eus

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Debegesa is the publicly owned regional development agency for the Debabarrena comarca in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, delivering employment, training, energy, rehabilitation, and tourism services to local residents, SMEs, and its eight municipal shareholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN), State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI)

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Employment services
• Entrepreneurship incubation
• Housing renovation subsidies
• Energy transition consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Éibar

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public institutional funding and project grants: Debegesa is primarily funded through contributions from Debabarrena municipalities, provincial (Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundia) and Basque (Eusko Jaurlaritza) government budgets, and European funds (Next Generation EU, Horizon 2020). It also administers subsidies and grants on behalf of public administrations, charging no fees to end beneficiaries. The organization operates as a non-profit public development corporation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Debegesa is the regional economic development agency (Garapen Agentzia) for the Debabarrena (Lower Deba) region in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. It provides free, publicly-funded services across six core areas: employment and training, energy advisory and transition, entrepreneurship support (incubation, mentoring, grants), SME business services (digitalization, innovation diagnostics, competitiveness), housing and building rehabilitation (subsidy administration), and a regional socioeconomic observatory. All services are delivered free of charge to end beneficiaries, funded through municipal contributions, Basque Government and provincial budgets, and European funds.

Product overview

Debegesa is a regional development agency (Debabarreneko Garapen Ekonomikorako Elkartea) providing a comprehensive suite of services to support economic development in the Debabarrena region of Gipuzkoa, Basque Country. The organization offers integrated services organized around six core areas: Employment and Training (enplegua eta prestakuntza), Energy Services (Energia Zerbitzua), Entrepreneurship Support (Ekintzailetza), Business Services (Enpresa Zerbitzuak), Rehabilitation Services (Birgaitze Zerbitzua), and the Debabarrena Observatory for socioeconomic data. Key programs include MAKE IN! for industrial entrepreneurship, HELDU! for business creation, HAZILAN+ for employment, and specialized initiatives like BPTD (Basque Precision Technology District), TEK Azitain energy community, Opengela urban regeneration, and STEAM education programs. The organization also manages rehabilitation services including Next Generation EU funding for energy efficiency improvements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Employment and Training Services (Enplegua eta Prestakuntza) Employment services for residents of Debabarrena, including job listings, career orientation, social inclusion programs, and training for job seekers and businesses.
• Energy Services (Energia Zerbitzua) Virtual Energy Office providing advice on renewable energy, sustainable rehabilitation, energy efficiency, and circular economy for individuals, communities, and companies in Debabarrena.
• Entrepreneurship Support (Ekintzailetza) Entrepreneurship programs providing training, incubation, mentoring, and funding support for new business creation, including MAKE IN! and HELDU! programs, plus the Azitain business incubator.
• Business Services (Enpresa Zerbitzuak) Business support services for SMEs including digitalization (Debabarrena ETE Digitala), BeTEK technology support, innovation diagnostics, business succession support, and competitiveness programs.
• Rehabilitation Services (Birgaitze Zerbitzua) Housing and building rehabilitation services including subsidies administration for energy efficiency improvements and Next Generation EU funding applications for individual homeowners and building communities.
• Debabarrena Observatory (Debabarreneko Behatokia) Socioeconomic data observatory for the Debabarrena region providing statistical information and monitoring of regional indicators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 901 housing renovation consultations in 2024
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hanna InstrumentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Debegesa and Hanna Instruments to promote STEAM vocations among students in Debabarrena, specifically through the 'Nesken estantziak industria enpresetan' (Girls' Internships in Industrial Companies) initiative for the second consecutive year.
• GARAPEN (Garapen Agentzien Euskal Elkartea)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGARAPEN is the Basque Association of Development Agencies, grouping 33 development agencies across the three Basque territories serving 84% of the Basque population. Debegesa participates as a member, sharing knowledge and collaborative projects. GARAPEN celebrated its 30th anniversary with Debegesa hosting an event in Eibar.
• Eusko Jaurlaritza (Basque Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships: co-funding of employment programs (Lanbide), energy renovation (Next Generation EU), Geoparkea tourism promotion, entrepreneurship grants (Hazinnova via SPRI/Innobasque), HAZILAN+ employment program, and Debabarrena Berritzen social inclusion project.
• Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundia (Gipuzkoa Provincial Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funder of Debegesa's activities including the Lanaren Zentzua project (with the Department of Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects), Elkar-EKIN employment strategy (€500,000 allocated for Debabarrena), Azitain energy community, and regional economic development programs.
• Debabarrena municipalities (Eibar, Elgoibar, Ermua, Mallabia, Mutriku, Deba, Soraluze, Mendaro)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe eight municipalities of Debabarrena are the constituent owners and primary funders of Debegesa S.A. They co-implement all major regional programs including the Energy Office, housing renovation services, entrepreneurship infrastructure, and the Debabarrena Strategic Plan 2030.
• Mondragon UnibertsitateaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Mondragon University's research team to develop the Lanaren Zentzua (Meaning of Work) project, which aims to improve competitiveness by addressing talent attraction and retention in regional companies.
• Lanbide (Euskal Enplegu Zerbitzua)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanbide (Basque Employment Service) co-funds employment programs administered by Debegesa, including entrepreneurship subsidies for Debabarrena's entrepreneurs and vocational training programs.
• Energiaren Euskal Erakundea (EEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Basque Energy Agency supports the Azitain industrial energy community (TEK Azitain) and co-funds energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the Debabarrena region.
• Edinor (Petronor 100% subsidiary)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEdinor, a 100% subsidiary of Petronor, designed the energy community model for TEK Azitain (Gipuzkoa's first industrial energy community) and supports its implementation in collaboration with Debegesa.
• AVS (Etxebizitza eta Lurzoru Kudeatzaile Publikoen Elkartea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDebegesa was admitted as a full member of AVS (Association of Public Housing and Land Managers) in its capacity as a Renovation and Urban Planning association (Birgaitzeko Hirigintza Elkartea), joining other members including Bilbao, Donostia, and Sestao.
• Basque Precision Technology District (BPTD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPTD is a regional strategy to add value to Debabarrena's industrial fabric through precision technology. Debegesa collaborates with BPTD and MAKE IN as a key initiative linking industry and entrepreneurship in the region.
• Geogarapen Elkartea (Euskal Kostaldeko Geoparkea management body)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDebegesa signed a cooperation agreement for the management and coordination of the Basque Coast Geoparkea (UNESCO/European Geoparks Network). Debegesa coordinates the project which received €5.2 million from the Basque Sustainable Tourism Territorial Plan 2023. Members include Deba, Mutriku, Zumaia, Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, Debemen, Aranzadi, and UNESCO Etxea.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tecnalia: Tecnalia is one of the largest private applied research centers in Spain, headquartered in the Basque Country with deep Debabarrena-area industrial client work. It is comparable as a Basque industrial innovation ecosystem player supporting SME competitiveness, digitalization, and energy transition.
• SPRI (Basque Government Development Agency): SPRI is the Basque Government's industrial development agency running Hazinnova, BeTEK, and broader SME digitalization programs. It is the funder/co-designer of several of Debegesa's programs (Hazinnova accreditation) and the territory-level counterpart Debegesa collaborates with rather than competes against.
• Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa (Gipuzkoa Provincial Council): The Provincial Council is a primary funder and political counterpart of Debegesa, allocating programs like Elkar-EKIN (€500K for Debabarrena) and co-funding the Azitain energy community. It is comparable as a higher-tier public development body in the same funding hierarchy.
• Garapen (Basque Association of Development Agencies): Garapen is the umbrella association of which Debegesa is a member, grouping 33 Basque development agencies serving 84% of the Basque population. It is the direct parent-network and most structurally comparable entity, performing cross-agency coordination, knowledge sharing, and joint EU project work.
• Eusko Jaurlaritza — Lanbide (Basque Employment Service): Lambide is the Basque public employment service that co-funds and co-administers Debegesa's employment programs (HAZILAN+, vocational training, entrepreneurship grants). It is comparable as a territory-wide public entity providing overlapping employment and training services.
• Mondragón Corporation / Mondragón Unibertsitatea: Mondragón is the cooperative group based in Debabarrena/Gipuzkoa and a direct partner of Debegesa (Lanaren Zentzua). It is comparable as a regional industrial and educational ecosystem actor with overlapping missions in employment, training, and competitiveness for Debabarrena's industrial base.
• Energiaren Euskal Erakundea / Basque Energy Agency (EEE): The Basque Energy Agency co-funds and supports the TEK Azitain energy community and broader renewable/energy-efficiency programs in Debabarrena. It is a directly comparable public-sector energy transition actor with overlapping mission and counterparty role to Debegesa.

Direct peers

• AVS (Asociación de Gestores Públicos de Vivienda y Suelo): AVS is the Spanish association of public housing and land managers, of which Debegesa is a full member (Birgaitzeko Hirigintza Elkartea). Peer members include Bilbao, Donostia, and Sestao — directly comparable municipal development agencies running housing rehabilitation one-stop-shops analogous to Debegesa's Opengela/Birgaitze service.
• Donostia / San Sebastián Desarrollo: Donostia/San Sebastián's municipal development arm delivers parallel employment, housing renovation, SME support, and STEAM/education programs in the Basque Country. It is a direct peer in mandate, service mix, and institutional structure, and an AVS co-member.
• Bilbao Etxea / Bilbao Ekintza: Bilbao's municipal development entity operates analogous employment, entrepreneurship, and housing services in a nearby Basque municipality. It is a direct peer in mandate (multi-municipal development agency) and services, including being an AVS co-member running Opengela pilots.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/debegesa

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Debegesa