For regions eager to establish themselves on the innovation map, rapid scaling and forging international connections are crucial for attracting both capital and talent, thereby fuelling potential economic growth. A standout example is Barcelona, which has strategically positioned itself as a key entry point to the Tech and Digital Ecosystem of Southern Europe. This positioning was a focal point of the "The Barcelona Startup Ecosystem Digital, Tech, and Open Innovation" Report, unveiled recently, incorporating data from ACCIO and Crunchbase.

Marco Marinucci, CEO of Mind the Bridge, remarked: “It is not surprising that we chose Barcelona as our primary European hub, with 90% of our workforce in Barcelona comprising talented individuals who have converged here from every corner of the globe”, commented Marco Marinucci, CEO of Mind the Bridge - Initiatives like Tech Barcelona, celebrating its 10th anniversary, have significantly contributed to nurturing Barcelona's ecosystem growth. Our collaboration aims to continue fostering this dynamic landscape, facilitating the ecosystem's evolution and shared success in the forthcoming decade.”

Barcelona now serves as a vital gateway to the Tech and Digital Ecosystems of Southern Europe, with its international appeal transforming it into a hub for both foreign startup founders and employees, as well as a preferred location for international companies.

“Over the last decade, Barcelona's tech ecosystem evolved into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe. Transitioning from local imitations to diverse international ventures, it transformed from an e-commerce hub to a dynamic network of tech and science-based startups, corporations, and research institutions. This shift redefined the city's identity, establishing it as a global tech powerhouse attracting investment and driving innovation”, commented Miguel Vicente, President of Tech Barcelona.

The ecosystem in Barcelona boasts 409 mature scaleups, each having raised over $1 million since inception. The city's tech scene has attracted a total of $8.7 billion in funding. It represents 42% of Spain's total scaleup ecosystem and accounts for 46% of the total capital raised by Spanish scaleups. Barcelona also hosts seven unicorn companies and ranks seventh in the EU for the potential to produce future unicorns. These figures place the city as the fifth largest innovation hub in Europe in terms of scaleups, according to the 2023 Tech Scaleup City Hub Index.

Scaleup Barcelona currently focuses on three primary verticals: Business & Productivity Software, Healthtech, and Fintech. However, several other sectors, including FoodTech, TravelTech, and Energy and Cleantech, show significant growth potential.

Barcelona is presently in the 'Early Scaleup' stage of the global Innovation Ecosystem Life Cycle, belonging to an exclusive club of 21 innovation ecosystems worldwide and ranking 30th globally. Alberto Onetti, Chairman of Mind the Bridge, commented:

“In the future, we'll see if Barcelona can maximise its potential. Based on our analysis we estimate Barcelona might move into the 'Late Scaleup' phase over the next 2-3 years and narrow the gap with other global hubs like Sao Paulo and Sydney. This progression hinges on leveraging its international presence to propel local startups towards broader funding and strategic opportunities beyond their immediate reach and turn Barcelona into a global hub, transcending national and European borders.”, added Alberto Onetti, Chairman of Mind the Bridge.

Barcelona has also emerged as the most international city in Spain, attracting a significant number of foreign founders and startup employees, as well as hosting 96 international companies, including 29 Fortune 500 / Forbes 2000 corporate leaders, establishing innovation presences through various means.

“Barcelona's tech scene is not just buzzing; it's booming with a purpose. The city's tech ecosystem is a melting pot of innovation, where startups and corporates dance in a tango of technology and creativity. With sustainability at its heart, and technology as its language, Barcelona is not just building businesses, it's crafting the future. It’s a vibrant testament to how open innovation can be a game-changer, turning challenges into opportunities and ideas into realities. This is not just growth; it's growth with a conscience,” ended Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona.