Barcelona is on the right track. Beyond consolidating its position as the leading startup ecosystem in Southern Europe and the fifth at the European Union (only behind Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Stockholm), the recent report published by StartupBlink highlights the rapid growth the city is experiencing. Specifically, Barcelona has seen a 40.4% increase compared to the previous year, the fourth-highest growth rate among the world’s top 50 startup ecosystems. This growth has allowed the city to overtake global hubs like Hong Kong and Moscow, now ranking 33rd worldwide.

The report notes that Barcelona already leads in sectors such as leisure, cleantech, traveltech, and gaming. Now, new opportunities are emerging, aligned with Europe’s strategic priorities, in deep tech areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

European initiatives like the arrival of one of the EU’s seven AI Factories (which will give startups access to cutting-edge technology), national programs such as the creation of a €353 million fund led by the CDTI and the EIF to invest in deep tech startups, and local efforts like the funds promoted by Ajuntament de Barcelona to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem are clear examples of the kind of strategic commitment that will allow us to remain competitive and strengthen our technological autonomy within the European and global context.