INVOLCAN

What INVOLCAN does

INVOLCAN (Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias S.A.U.) is a public-sector volcanic research institute constituted on 29 June 2010 as a Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal wholly owned by the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife, with multi-institutional governance spanning the Administración General del Estado, the Gobierno de Canarias, the seven Insular Cabildos, and voluntary participation from the Universidad de La Laguna and Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Its creation was unanimously mandated by the Spanish Senate (2 November 2005), Parliament of the Canary Islands (11 January 2006), and Congress of Deputies (2 December 2009), making it the designated autonomous entity for volcanic risk management in Spain's only volcanically active territory. ITER (Instituto Tecnológico de Energías Renovables) acts as operational host and co-financier.

The institute operates four core monitoring networks — the Red Sísmica Canaria (seismic), Red Geoquímica (geochemical), Red Geodésica (geodetic), and the Guayota public visualization platform (with Tenerife, La Palma, and Canary Islands versions) — that collect continuous real-time data used to characterize seismic swarms (14+ hybrid event episodes documented in Tenerife since October 2016), CO2 degassing, and ground deformation. Activities are organized across four divisions: Vigilancia Volcánica, Volcanología, Riesgos Geológicos, and Recursos Geológicos. Active R&D+i+d projects include GEOTERMAC, PRISMAC, DIGIVOLCAN, IGN ALERTA-CO2, TFVOLCANO, ECANVOLRISK, and LPVOLCANO; outreach encompasses the Summer Science Training Program and the "Canarias, una ventana volcánica" public engagement program. International scientific cooperation spans 34 countries across 5 continents plus Antarctica.

INVOLCAN's revenue model is non-commercial: institutional shareholder contributions from public administrations, competitive grants from EU programs (INTERREG MAC, Horizon Europe) and national/regional authorities, and fee-for-service scientific contracts with government entities (documented public procurement contracts include IVC-2025-07 at €215,000 and IVC-2025-06 at €199,990). The institute also holds equity in Energía Geotérmica de Canarias, SL. No revenue is publicly disclosed; institutional filings project losses of €326,053.67 (2025) and €320,151.29 (2026). Distribution is exclusively through direct institutional relationships and public procurement, with no commercial channels.

Name

INVOLCAN

Legal name

Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias S.A.U.

Website

https://involcan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

INVOLCAN is a Tenerife-owned public research institute (S.A.U.) that operates seismic, geochemical, and geodetic monitoring networks across the Canary Islands to manage volcanic risk and develop geothermal resources, funded by public shareholder contributions, EU grants, and government service contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volcanic Monitoring and Research Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Geospatial Data Management & Enterprise GIS (Geodatabases, Web GIS, Spatial Analytics) (EUAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Volcanic monitoring
• Seismic surveillance
• Volcanic risk management
• Geochemical monitoring
• Geological hazard assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Granadilla de Abona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Administration Contributions (Aportaciones de socios): Recurring financial contributions from the General State Administration (Administración General del Estado), the Government of Canarias (Gobierno de Canarias), and the seven Insular Cabildos, which constitute the primary institutional funding base. ITER also provides financing through shareholder contributions.
2. EU and Competitive Research Grants: Project-based funding from European Union programmes (INTERREG MAC, Horizon Europe), national government ministries, and regional authorities supporting specific R&D+i+d projects. Projects include GEOTERMAC, PRISMAC, DIGIVOLCAN, IGN ALERTA-CO2, TFVOLCANO, ECANVOLRISK.
3. Fee-for-Service Scientific and Technical Services: Contracted scientific analysis, technical assistance, and advisory services to public institutions (e.g., Gobierno de Canarias Dirección General de Emergencias, IGN, cabildos insulares). Includes geochemical analyses, seismic monitoring reports, volcanic risk assessments, and professional training.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INVOLCAN operates integrated seismic, geochemical, and geodetic monitoring networks for continuous volcanic surveillance of the Canary Islands, publishing real-time data through the Guayota visualization platform and monthly bulletins. It conducts applied volcanological R&D+i+d and contracted scientific and technical advisory services for government administrations, covering volcanic risk assessment, emergency planning support, and post-eruption surveillance. The institute also delivers educational outreach programs and an international Summer Science Training Program targeting students, visitors, and the general public.

Product overview

INVOLCAN (Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias) operates as a volcanic research and monitoring institute organized into four core divisions: Vigilancia Volcánica (Volcanic Surveillance), Volcanología, Riesgos Geológicos (Geological Hazards), and Recursos Geológicos (Geological Resources). The primary products include continuous volcanic monitoring through the Red Sísmica Canaria and Guayota visualization platform, research and development services, and scientific publications. The institute also provides educational outreach through programs like 'Canarias, una ventana volcánica' and the Summer Science Training Program. The product portfolio is complemented by international cooperation projects including DIGIVOLCAN, TFVOLCANO, ECANVOLRISK, GEOTERMAC, PRISMAC, and LPVOLCANO, which focus on volcanic risk reduction, geothermal development, and slope hazard management across Macaronesia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vigilancia Volcánica (Volcanic Surveillance Service) Continuous volcanic monitoring and surveillance service for the Canary Islands' volcanic systems, integrating the Red Sísmica Canaria (seismic), Red Geoquímica (geochemical), and Red Geodésica (geodetic) networks to detect and characterize volcano-tectonic and hybrid earthquakes, magma degassing signals, and ground deformation. Provided to public administrations (Gobierno de Canarias, Cabildos Insulares, national ministries) for volcanic risk management.
• Guayota Volcano Monitoring Platform Integrated public-facing data visualization platform with sub-portals for Canarias, Tenerife, and La Palma, providing real-time seismic and volcanic monitoring data, earthquake swarm visualization, and monthly bulletins. Accessible to citizens, researchers, institutional stakeholders, and media for transparency and public risk awareness.
• Volcanological Research and R&D+i+d Services Contracted research and development services covering volcanological studies, geological hazard assessment, geothermal resource evaluation, toxic gas monitoring, slope movement risk analysis, and post-eruption surveillance. Delivered to Spanish public administrations, the European Commission (INTERREG MAC, Horizon Europe), and international scientific partners across 34 countries.
• Summer Science Training Program International scientific training program offered in English and Spanish versions, providing volcanological education and field training to university students and early-career researchers. Builds international institutional visibility and develops volcanological expertise.
• Canarias, una ventana volcánica (Educational Outreach Program) Educational and outreach program delivered in Tenerife and La Palma that promotes volcanic knowledge, geotourism, and risk awareness among citizens and visitors. Supports broader public engagement with volcanic science and risk prevention culture.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 hybrid seismic swarms detected and characterized in Tenerife since October 2016, demonstrating sustained ability to monitor and communicate recurrent volcanic unrest episodes.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Congreso de los Diputados (Congress of Deputies of Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2009The Congress of Deputies of Spain unanimously approved the creation of INVOLCAN as an autonomous entity on 2 December 2009, completing the legislative trilogy of institutional mandates from the three main Spanish legislative bodies.
• Parlamento de Canarias (Parliament of the Canary Islands)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2006The Parliament of the Canary Islands unanimously supported the creation of INVOLCAN as an autonomous entity on 11 January 2006, following the Senate resolution. The Parliament represents one of the three founding legislative bodies establishing INVOLCAN's institutional mandate.
• Senado de España (Senate of Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2005The Senate of Spain unanimously requested the creation of INVOLCAN as an autonomous entity on 2 November 2005, constituting the foundational institutional mandate for the institute. This resolution was subsequently ratified by the Parliament of Canarias (11 January 2006) and Congress of Deputies (2 December 2009).
• Gobierno de Canarias (Government of the Canary Islands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a primary institutional shareholder, the Government of Canarias participates in INVOLCAN's governance and provides co-funding through mechanisms including the Dirección General de Emergencias (General Directorate of Emergency Management) for the CANVolcano project and other volcanic risk reduction initiatives.
• Siete Cabildos Insulares (Seven Insular Councils of the Canary Islands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll seven Insular Councils (Cabildos) of the Canary Islands participate in INVOLCAN as institutional shareholders, providing co-funding and serving as the primary beneficiaries of volcanic monitoring and risk management services. Key funders include the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife (primary) and the Cabildo Insular de La Palma.
• Administración General del Estado (General State Administration of Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe General State Administration participates in INVOLCAN as a primary institutional shareholder and co-funder. Key national partners include the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which co-funds the IGN ALERTA-CO2 monitoring project.
• Universidades Públicas de Canarias (ULL and ULPGC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe two public universities of the Canary Islands (Universidad de La Laguna and Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) participate voluntarily in INVOLCAN, contributing academic expertise in volcanology, geology, and related sciences. Collaboration includes joint publications, educational programmes, and the Summer Science Training Programme.
• ITER (Instituto Tecnológico de Energías Renovables)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITER acts as the primary institutional parent and operational host of INVOLCAN, providing administrative infrastructure, co-financing through shareholder contributions, and housing INVOLCAN's legal headquarters. ITER has maintained project execution during periods when specific funding streams were interrupted, providing critical institutional continuity.
• Energía Geotérmica de Canarias, SLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVOLCAN holds a financial investment in Energía Geotérmica de Canarias, SL, representing a long-term equity participation in a geothermal energy venture. This partnership reflects INVOLCAN's commitment to promoting geothermal resource development as part of sustainable volcanic territory management.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands): Operates real-time volcanic monitoring and alert services for Iceland's active volcanic systems. Comparable to INVOLCAN in combining seismic, geodetic, and gas monitoring with public-facing hazard communication.
• GNS Science (Te Pū Ao): New Zealand's geological hazards institute operating GeoNet volcano monitoring across the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Directly analogous to INVOLCAN in delivering continuous geophysical surveillance and risk communication for an active volcanic region.
• U.S. Geological Survey – Volcano Hazards Program: Operates integrated seismic, geodetic, and geochemical volcano monitoring networks across U.S. volcanic regions (including Hawaii and Alaska). Directly comparable to INVOLCAN's mandate to provide continuous monitoring and hazard assessment for public safety.
• Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS): National institute providing volcano and earthquake monitoring and warnings for the Philippines. Comparable to INVOLCAN in government mandate, multi-parameter monitoring infrastructure, and public risk-commission outreach.
• Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV): Italian national institute responsible for seismic and volcanic surveillance (e.g., Etna, Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei). Closely parallels INVOLCAN's structure, mandate, and multi-parameter monitoring approach in a volcanically active European territory.

Regional players

• Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS): Primary volcano observatory for Hawaii, including Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Operates the same continuous seismic/geodetic/geochemical networks as INVOLCAN but is geographically distinct, with shared technical methodology.

Others

• Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC): Spain's largest public research institution, with affiliated institutes conducting volcanological research. Comparable as an enabling national R&D ecosystem partner supporting INVOLCAN's scientific capacity and grant competitiveness.

Broad incumbents

• Geoscience Australia: Australian government geoscience agency providing hazard monitoring and Earth observation analytics. Comparable to INVOLCAN in leveraging geophysical survey data and remote sensing for public-good hazard applications.
• British Geological Survey: National geoscience agency delivering geological hazard monitoring, data services, and research. Comparable to INVOLCAN's broader geological resources and hazards portfolio, though with a much wider remit beyond volcanism.
• Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program: Maintains a global database of volcanic activity and conducts research on eruption history. Complementary to INVOLCAN's regional monitoring mandate with overlapping scientific output and international collaboration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/involcan
• Facebookfacebook.com/INVOLCAN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/involcan
• Instagraminstagram.com/involcanorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about INVOLCAN