Morning Talks with Luís Amorim from Ferrovial

The aim of the Morning Talks series of interviews is to present the impact of Dealflow.eu partnerships on the EU innovation and investment ecosystem.

 

For this edition, we spoke with Luís Amorim, Head of Open Innovation at Ferrovial’s construction division. Ferrovial is a global infrastructure leader, originally founded in Spain, with a strong presence in transport, mobility, and construction—renowned for its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

In February 2025, Luís and Ferrovial joined Saint-Gobain and SFS Group for Dealflow.eu’s Multicorporate Matchmaking Event on Sustainable Construction, hosted by EurA Innovation Ecosystems.

As Head of Open Innovation at the construction business unit of Ferrovial, Luís Amorim plays a key role in the company’s innovation initiatives. He is responsible for fostering collaboration with external partners, driving the development of new ideas and technologies, and ensuring Ferrovial remains at the forefront of innovation within the industry.

His work spans a broad ecosystem, engaging with startups, academic institutions, research hubs, corporate partners, public bodies and policymakers, as well as investors, venture capitalists, support organisations, and community networks.

 

Tell us more about your approach towards innovation.

My approach towards innovation is centred around leveraging extensive multi-stakeholder networks to support Ferrovial’s strategic engagement with innovation ecosystems worldwide. This involves actively seeking innovation opportunities, experimenting with new construction technology and business models, and fostering collaboration with external entities to develop new ideas and solutions. I believe in the importance of being proactive, challenging assumptions, and generating a mindset that encourages debate and exploration.

 

Recently, you teamed up with Dealflow.eu to co-host a Multicorporate Matchmaking event. Could you explain to us the motivation to join forces with Dealflow.eu?

The motivation to join forces with Dealflow.eu for the Multicorporate Matchmaking event was driven by the desire to foster collaboration on different levels, including further technological development, piloting of products/solutions, commercial, and institutional relations.

Why do you believe it’s important for companies to focus more on these types of corporative innovation initiatives? And what advantages do they bring?

Focusing on corporative innovation initiatives is crucial for companies to stay ahead in the market, enhance competitiveness, and drive sustainable growth. These initiatives bring several advantages, including access to new ideas and technologies, improved efficiency, reduced costs, and the ability to leverage external collaboration to develop innovative solutions. By engaging with startups, companies can diversify their innovation sources and accelerate technology adoption.

 

 How do you envision the collaboration between startups and corporates in the future? What gaps still need to be covered?  

The future of collaboration between startups and corporates is set to be highly synergistic, with enhanced strategic partnerships, talent acquisition, market expansion, and cultural transformation driving innovation and growth. Corporates will benefit from strategic insights and diversification, while startups will gain support for scaling and navigating regulatory challenges. However, gaps such as goal alignment, integration challenges, and knowledge sharing need to be addressed to maximize the potential of these collaborations.

 

Collaborating with Ferrovial: What Innovators Need to Know

Important Skills

– Creativity, adaptability, and strategic thinking
– Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders
– Ferrovial looks for startups/companies that:
  • Show strong commitment to innovation
  • Have a clear vision and purpose
  • Possess technical expertise and delivery capacity
  • Are proactive, open-minded, and willing to take risks

Biggest Challenges

– Navigating complex corporate structures
– Overcoming bureaucracy and aligning with corporate strategy
– Managing expectations
– Integrating new technologies with legacy systems and workflows
– Securing adequate support and resources for innovation

Tips

– Be clear about goals and expectations
– Show commitment to innovation and openness to collaborate
– Build trust through transparency and communication
– Understand Ferrovial’s Strategic Goals
– Demonstrate how your solution aligns with those goals
– Showcase your unique value and practical applications
– Come well-prepared to the first meeting

 

 

Article published by EurA AG.

Read also our last Morning Talks with Inês de Macedo Santos

 

More about Dealflow.eu 

Supported by the European Commission, Dealflow.eu discovers and supports the most promising EU-funded innovators and connects them with relevant investors and corporates. The initiative was launched to help groundbreaking innovations secure the funding needed for their future commercialisation by offering them tailored support and matchmaking services. 

To learn more about Dealflow.eu, visit https://dealflow.eu/ 

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.