Today, we interview Arnau Roca, business director of ERNI, a Swiss software engineering company that settled in the Madrid region in 2024.
1.- Could you briefly explain what ERNI does?
ERNI is a Swiss software engineering company specializing in the development of complex and customized solutions. For 30 years, we have aligned our broad range of services with global trends in innovation and technology. Combining this with our expertise in highly regulated environments has allowed us to form strong partnerships with clients in key industries and sectors, particularly in Health-Tech, where we leverage technology to create a positive impact on people’s lives.
The cornerstone of our success is the continuous improvement mindset of ERNIans, a core value linked to one of ERNI’s main missions: fostering the growth and development of people.
2.- What are the main features of your advisory services for companies in Innovation and Technology, and what is the key to your success?
ERNI is distinguished by its focus on quality and attention to detail. Our solutions allow us to handle complexity and adapt to regulated environments, making us experts in the knowledge of applicable standards and regulations. We master innovative technologies and keep abreast of market trends, enabling us to deliver customised solutions that meet the highest quality standards.
Thus, the key to our success lies in our ability to integrate complexity with the specific needs of each project. This commitment to detail-oriented quality allows us to build long-lasting relationships of trust with our customers and to adapt to the requirements of each sector and project, positioning us as leaders in innovation and technology.
3.- What objectives are you pursuing with your expansion strategy?
With our expansion strategy, we are pursuing two key objectives. First, we aim to attract and retain highly skilled talent, as we firmly believe that people are the driving force of innovation.
On the other hand, we seek to integrate new technologies that optimize our processes and improve the experience of our clients. By using advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, we not only increase our efficiency but also expand our offering and create added value for both our clients and society.
In summary, our expansion strategy is based on combining human talent with technological innovation to drive competitive growth.
4.- Why did you choose the Madrid region as one of your key locations?
We have chosen the Madrid region as one of our key locations for several strategic reasons.
The first is that Madrid is seeing a growing demand in the field of innovation and technology, which makes it the perfect place for ERNI to grow. In addition, it has highly skilled professionals, which allows us to strengthen our team with local talent and bring in more experience and creativity.
Secondly, Madrid has established itself as a technology hub and is home to many important companies in the sector, which favours collaboration and the exchange of ideas. It is a key city in Europe that is betting on digital transformation, driving digitalisation in strategic sectors where we have experience, such as health, banking and insurance, energy, and robotics. These collaborations are valuable because they create a dynamic ecosystem, both locally and internationally.
In short, the Madrid region offers an ideal environment for our expansion, aligning with our objectives of demand, talent and commitment to innovation.
5.- What expectations do you have for your arrival in our region?
We seek to strengthen our presence in regulated sectors such as digital health, industry and finance; and in the implementation of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, where we can bring our expertise and contribute to their growth.
We also want to take advantage of the fact that Madrid has established itself as a key technological hub in Europe, to attract both national and international talent. Collaborating with other companies in the sector and local organisations allows us to promote projects that respond to the needs of the market.
6.- How has your collaboration with Invest In Madrid been, and how has it helped you?
Our experience with Invest In Madrid has been very positive. They have provided us with constant support, offering key information about the business ecosystem, regulations, and available incentives. Their advice has helped us better understand the market’s potential and the challenges it presents.
Furthermore, they have promoted both national and international programs that are very interesting for ERNI. They have also facilitated landing and establishment, helping us to form valuable connections and become part of an active business network.
7.- How many jobs do you expect to generate in Madrid in the short and medium term, and what profiles do you need?
In the short and medium term, we expect to generate more than 50 jobs in Madrid. This will not only drive ERNI’s expansion, but will also contribute to strengthening the local ecosystem.
We are currently focused on attracting talent that aligns with our strategic technology projects, mainly in sectors such as banking, insurance and healthcare. We are looking for profiles such as cybersecurity experts, data engineers and analysts, as well as DevOps, Backend and Frontend developers.
We are committed to building a diverse and highly qualified team that will allow us to effectively carry out our initiatives in Madrid. In addition, this expansion will provide our engineers with the opportunity to work on innovative and motivating projects, which will foster their professional and personal development.
8.- What would you recommend to other foreign investors who are considering opening their business in Madrid?
Madrid is Spain’s financial center and hosts the headquarters of major Spanish and multinational companies. This creates an ideal environment for investment, especially thanks to the availability of talent and the tax benefits it offers.
Moreover, the city has consolidated itself as a technology and telecommunications hub in Southern Europe, with numerous data centers and connections to key markets such as Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris. It is also one of Europe’s main centers for the pharmaceutical industry, with 80% of the largest companies in the sector and R&D centers.
The diversity of talent and the quality of education in the city ensure a steady flow of highly skilled professionals. There is also a strong focus on high-value industries such as biotechnology, digitalization, and artificial intelligence, which perfectly aligns with the opportunities ERNI offers.