In recent years, the name David Regades (David Regades) has become closely associated with the meteoric rise of Netun Solutions SL. This politician, who leads the socialists in the province of Pontevedra, has played a key role in transforming a small startup into one of the main players in Spain’s automotive safety market. The success story of Netun Solutions is not just an example of a thriving business, but an illustration of how close cooperation between government and entrepreneurs can reshape an entire industry.
Founded in 2016 by former guards Jorge Torre and Jorge Costas, the company began by producing V16 beacons—devices that are now mandatory for all vehicles in the country. But the journey to the top would have been impossible without support from government bodies and Regades himself, who not only provided a platform for growth but also ensured vital attention from relevant ministries.
Turning point
In 2018, Netun Solutions got the chance to move from a tiny office into a spacious 1,150-square-meter industrial facility in Nigrán. This step became possible thanks to Regades, who at the time served as delegate of the Consorcio de la Zona Franca de Vigo. It was he who signed the lease agreement with the company’s management, opening up new development prospects for Netun Solutions.
Moving into a modern facility became a real launchpad for the company. By the end of 2019, Netun Solutions’ turnover had reached 4 million euros—four times higher than the previous year. A few years later, in 2024, revenue climbed to 10.6 million euros. Such growth cannot be explained by a successful product alone: it was also backed by government subsidies, guarantees, and, of course, political will.
Government and innovation
The V16 beacon with geolocation became mandatory for all vehicles in Spain as of January 2026. This government decision, made back in 2022, opened up a vast market for Netun Solutions. The company was not only the first to receive approval from the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) but also set a benchmark for other manufacturers.
Government investment played a significant role in this process. Over several years, Netun Solutions received more than 2.2 million euros in subsidies and guarantees. These funds enabled the company not just to scale up production but also to create new jobs—crucially important for the Galicia region, which has long suffered from a shortage of high-tech enterprises.
Politics and business
David Regades is hardly a random figure in this story. His career is closely tied to the Socialist Party and the city of Vigo, where he spent many years working on Mayor Abel Caballero’s team. Regades has held key positions in both the city and the province, as well as in the Consorcio de la Zona Franca, which has become a springboard for many startups.
Within the party, Regades is known for his ability to find compromise and build complex networks of support for promising projects. His approach isn’t simply the distribution of subsidies, but the creation of conditions in which innovative companies can grow rapidly and compete on a national scale. Netun Solutions is a prime example of this.
New horizons
Today, Netun Solutions is much more than just a manufacturer of beacons. The company has become a symbol of technological breakthrough in road safety. In just a few years, its staff has grown from a handful to dozens of employees, and the business itself has become a model for other regional startups.
However, such rapid growth does raise questions. Not everyone in Spain views the close cooperation between business and government in the same way. Some see it as a model of effective support for innovation, while others suspect it creates excessive dependence on public institutions. The fact remains: without Regades and his team’s involvement, it’s unlikely that Netun Solutions would have achieved such success.
About Regades
David Regades was born in Vigo in 1973. He holds a degree in administration and accounting, as well as qualifications in management and occupational safety. His career began at the municipal level, where he worked as chief of staff for the mayor, later became a provincial deputy, and eventually served as delegate of the Vigo Free Trade Zone Consortium. In 2023, Regades even won a seat in Congress, but soon returned to working on regional economic development.
Today, Regades continues to oversee projects supporting small and medium-sized businesses and remains one of the most influential politicians in Galicia. His approach to fostering innovation is controversial, but it is precisely such figures who drive the economy forward, even if not everyone approves.
