NEWS

The Grass-Twin project offers an innovative solution based on functional printing and smart monitoring for the maintenance of sports surfaces.

Grass-Twin is an industrial research project launched with the aim of addressing a common challenge in the management of sports surfaces—whether natural, hybrid, or artificial turf: the lack of advanced technological solutions for efficient and tailored maintenance.

Thanks to the European I3-INSHAPE initiative, INDESCAT, the sports industry cluster, has secured direct grants for Catalan companies amounting to more than €570,000. In the first phase, €329,240 was awarded to Onalabs, Eurofitness, Sevenmila, Berrly, and Tot per l’Esport — all members of INDESCAT. In a second phase, nine interregional collaborative projects involving innovative SMEs from various EU regions — including Catalonia — received a total of €244,000 in direct funding for eight Catalan companies: Barcelona Zero Limits, Factual Consulting, Improfit, MyPlay, Neorg, North 3, Placenet, and Rockfit, four of which are cluster members. All of these projects focus on innovative solutions in the fields of sport, technology, and healthy lifestyles.

In a context shaped by digital transformation, demographic shifts, and a constantly evolving sports industry, the training of future professionals requires educational models adapted to today’s realities. Escola Vitae emerges as an innovative proposal within the educational sector, offering programs focused on a direct connection with the job market and the challenges of the future.

We speak with Roger Saladich, Co-CEO of Vitae, a school specialized in the fields of sports and health, which has been offering official and in-house qualifications for over fifteen years through an immersive pedagogical approach. We explore the origins of the initiative, how they integrate technology and personal competencies into their programs, and the steps they are taking to establish themselves as a leading institution in shaping the next generation of professionals in the sector.

The opening event of INDESCAT’s 15th anniversary celebration, the sports industry cluster in Catalonia, brought together members, former and current board representatives, institutional figures, and other key players from the Catalan sports sector on June 19 at the Joan Miró Foundation.

The event featured a review of the cluster’s history, the unveiling of a commemorative illustration, the presentation of special recognitions, and an interactive session led by Emogg. The celebration concluded with a cocktail reception, offering industry professionals the chance to network and foster synergies.

Prior to the celebration, INDESCAT held its Annual General Assembly, during which members reviewed the activities and budget from the past period, and future plans and forecasts for the cluster were presented.

The Best Practices in Healthy Companies Conference was successfully held this Friday, June 6th, at the Tabaris Building in Coma-ruga (El Vendrell). The event was organized by the Associació Corporativa Empresa Saludable (ACES) with the collaboration of various key local stakeholders, including the Ajuntament del Vendrell, Ranking Games, Umivale Activa, FCC Medi Ambient, and the INDESCAT cluster itself.

We spoke with Rafa Solans, project director of Fit Cloud, an innovative platform that integrates technology and sports performance for all IT management of gyms, sports clubs, facilities and training rooms.