2026
Edoardo Montagner, Cristina Aragón, Ibon Gil de San Vicente, Cristina Iturrioz.
https://doi.org/10.18543/CSLR7058
Basque Institute of Competitiveness - Deusto Foundation
Abstract
This report presents a mappingtr of the support ecosystem for family businesses in the Basque Couny. Family businesses play a central role in the Basque economy: in 2024, they accounted for 86.1% of the business sector, provided 53.1% of employment, and generated 45% of value added.
Based on this significance, the study organizes the actors and initiatives that shape the support environment for family business owners in the Basque Country. The mapping was developed using a qualitative and exploratory approach, based on verifiable evidence from after 2020 and specific to the Basque context. The study offers an analytical representation of the ecosystem and its distribution in relation to the main challenges facing family businesses.
During the period analysed, 47 actors with verifiable ties to the Basque Country (4 institutional, 38 intermediary or organizational, and 5 social or community- based) and 56 actions carried out over the past five years were identified. The analysis organizes these contributions into five areas: growth and roots, governance, new generations and talent, reputation, and dialogue and collaboration with the region.
The report reveals an ecosystem with critical mass, a diversity of profiles, and relevant capabilities, but also with varying degrees of coverage depending on the type of need. It also identifies an emerging area linked to family constellations and wealth management instruments such as family offices. Overall, the study aims to highlight and make this ecosystem more transparent, offering a structured overview of its contributions and identifying areas for
development that can guide cooperation among stakeholders and strengthen complementary support mechanisms.
