• Both entities join forces to collaborate and improve urban mobility in Barcelona through innovation and technology.

• FREENOW, backed by BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, has an innovation centre in the city with 150 employees dedicated to the development and smooth running of its taxi driver application for all the countries where the company operates.

Barcelona, 9 October 2023. – FREENOW, Europe’s mobility super app, has become a Global Partner of Tech Barcelona, the independent non-profit association that is the backbone of Barcelona’s technological and digital ecosystem. The alliance aims to continue driving technological innovation in the field of urban mobility to improve the quality of life of the city’s inhabitants.

Since 2019, FREENOW has a technology centre in Barcelona dedicated to the development of the taxi driver app, where 150 highly qualified professionals develop and ensure the proper functioning of the driver app for all the countries in which it operates. With a presence in 9 markets and more than 150 European cities, the German company, backed by the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, offers users a wide selection of vehicles, from taxis to car sharing, scooters, bicycles, electric scooters and public transport (only in Germany), to decide how, when and where to move at any time and in a couple of clicks.

“Barcelona was the first city where we started offering our taxi services 11 years ago. We were pioneers in offering a digital tool that allowed the taxi sector to modernise and contact users in a simple and efficient way. Since then, we have focused on continuing to improve our technological services through innovation and digitalisation. Today, the FREENOW app goes further, connecting our users with taxis and new sustainable modes of transport, thus promoting more efficient and connected mobility within cities,” says Isabel García Frontera, General Manager of FREENOW Spain.

For his part, Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, assures that “this alliance will contribute to the sustainable development of Barcelona through the application of technology in the field of mobility, one of the fundamental pillars of the city. The power of the entrepreneurial ecosystem joins the international experience of FREENOW to lead the growth of new models of connected and sustainable urban mobility for the benefit of all citizens”.

• The agreement reinforces the French company’s involvement in the development of Barcelona’s healthcare innovation ecosystem, with its epicentre at Tech Barcelona’s Pier07
• Sanofi further strengthens its position in the city, where it already has its headquarters for Spain and one of its international digital innovation hubs

Barcelona, September 6^th 2023. – The biopharmaceutical company Sanofi joins Tech Barcelona as a Corporate Partner to continue supporting the development of the innovation ecosystem in health and life sciences in Barcelona, which Tech Barcelona has been developing from Pier07. The agreement is part of the strategy of the association to establish links between all the agents in the health sector and to resolve needs detected through technology.

In January 2023, the French company centralised its two offices in Barcelona into a single headquarters, located in the Meridian building, where it had already located one of its global digital innovation hubs, employing more than 400 people who are responsible for leading Sanofi’s innovation and transformation at an international level. The company maintains another headquarters in Madrid and a production centre in Girona.

For its part, in February 2023, Tech Barcelona launched Pier07, a benchmark hub for business innovation in the health and life sciences sector. The building, located at Via Laietana 26, houses startups, pharmaceutical companies, investors, institutions, universities, research centres and the public health system, which are represented and actively participate in the contents and activities of the association.

Heidi Van De Woestyne, Head of People&Culture at Sanofi Iberia, stresses that “we were pioneers in creating one of the first digital hubs in the city, and we want to continue to be a benchmark in this regard. Tech Barcelona is a strategic partner to continue developing this innovation ecosystem, to attract the talent we need and, in short, to continue developing, from Barcelona, innovative solutions to improve people’s lives and health”.

Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, assures that “the application of technology in the health and life sciences sector is vital to accelerate its impact, both on citizens and on the health system and its professionals. In this sense, the incorporation of Sanofi as a Corporate Partner is excellent news that reaffirms the commitment of large pharmaceutical companies to innovation and the development of a health ecosystem of reference in Barcelona”.

• The agreement aims to develop strategies, together with Technology by PageGroup, geared towards the generation, attraction and retention of technological and digital talent in the city.

Barcelona, September 5, 2023. – Michael Page, the leading recruitment consultancy for skilled, middle and senior management, has become a Corporate Partner of Tech Barcelona, the private non-profit association that supports Barcelona’s technological and digital ecosystem. The agreement aims to develop joint strategies aimed at generating, attracting and retaining technological talent, especially that which fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration between startups and corporations.

The consultancy firm will drive these initiatives through its Technology by PageGroup vertical, which has teams of consultants specialising in different technological areas – Development & Architecture, Data & Analytics, Infrastructure & Cybersecurity, IT Management & Governance and Business Applications – and an international network of contacts of more than 250,000 industry professionals.

For Joana Barbany, Business Development Director at Michael Page, “this alliance was born to reduce the digital talent gap that exists today in Barcelona. If we want to continue to lead the economic and digital ecosystem, we have to focus above all on people and human resources”.

For his part, Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, highlights the importance of talent as the main asset of the technological and digital ecosystem: “Having an international leader in recruitment like Michael Page will help us to meet the growing demand for specialised profiles and to maintain the attractiveness of Barcelona for talent at a global level”.

According to the Digital Talent Overview 2023 report, in Barcelona, the demand for technological profiles experienced an increase of 35% in 2022. The agreement between Michael Page and Tech Barcelona seeks to reduce this lack of talent and simplify the profile selection process thanks to the experience of the consultancy firm and through the association’s programme of content, activities and connections.

• The agreement connects MingoThings International’s innovation and digital transformation solutions with Barcelona’s startups and corporations

• The global presence of the technology consultancy also favours the internationalisation of Barcelona’s technology ecosystem

Barcelona, 26 July 2023. – Tech Barcelona, the non-profit association that supports Barcelona’s digital and technological ecosystem, has incorporated the technology consultancy MingoThings International as a new Corporate Partner. The agreement aims to promote the internationalisation of startups and technology corporations in the city and jointly promote the development and digital transformation of the industry.

MingoThings International, an innovative technology solutions integrator, is headquartered in Barcelona and operates from Mexico, Nairobi, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, working on multiple projects around the world. This will allow startups and corporations associated with Tech Barcelona to access the consultancy’s network of international connections, promoting their international expansion.

For Francesc Domingo, CEO of MingoThings, “the strategic partnership with Tech Barcelona represents an important milestone in our goal to lead technological innovation in the industry. The collaboration with Tech Barcelona will give us a stronger presence in the local market and a direct connection to its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are excited to join forces to jointly drive digital transformation in Barcelona and offer comprehensive, cutting-edge solutions and development programmes to both our clients and Tech Barcelona’s partner companies.

For his part, Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, assures that “the incorporation of MingoThings will strengthen our ecosystem and allow us to continue to jointly drive digital transformation in the industry in Barcelona. In addition, MingoThings’ global presence and network of international contacts will be a valuable asset for startups and corporations in the city looking to expand internationally.

Tech Barcelona currently represents more than 1,300 partners and has more than 80 partner organisations, leaders in their sector, committed to the project. MingoThings International works with a global network of more than 500 strategic partners and collaborators, covering a wide range of industries and sectors (smart cities, education, transport, tourism, security, health, etc.).

• The global food and beverage company engages with Barcelona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to share knowledge and intensify its own digital transformation

• In this sense, the agreement promotes the development and implementation of disruptive technologies in the retail sector.

Barcelona, 20 July 2023. – Danone, the global food and beverage company, has joined Tech Barcelona as a Global Partner to get closer to the city’s entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem and drive its own digital transformation. The agreement also promotes the development and implementation of disruptive technologies in the retail sector, and reinforces Tech Barcelona’s position as a European benchmark association in the vehicle and promotion of these projects.

The alliance drives the integration of innovative digital knowledge, which will enable Danone and companies in the sector to improve their management and speed, as well as contribute to the creation of unique experiences for consumers. The company originally from Barcelona, which already uses technological systems based on artificial intelligence and big data on a daily basis, also seeks to become actively involved in the development of technological talent, as well as in areas such as health and sustainability.

For Nicolás Cosqueric, IT & Data Director of Danone Iberia, “technology and data have been major strategic drivers for Danone for years. Our goal is to continue building and improving in this area to be pioneers in the development of innovations related to artificial intelligence and data analysis, generating new opportunities and strengthening our position. This close approach to Tech Barcelona is a great step that pushes us in this direction”.

For his part, Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, assures that “the incorporation of a leading global company such as Danone consolidates the association’s position as a technological and digital reference in Europe”. “The agreement will reinforce the knowledge of consumer trends and behaviour, at a time marked by the need to understand the changes in the market and to adopt efficient and sustainable methods”.

Tech Barcelona currently represents more than 1,300 companies and has more than 80 partner organisations, leaders in their sector, committed to technology as a driver of development. Among other activities, the association leads ‘Working Groups’ with the aim of sharing knowledge and having an impact in areas such as retail or the future of work.

• The agreement allows the company, owner of Privalia, to reinforce its commitment to the city’s technological and digital ecosystem.

• In 2022, the multinational created its first Innovation Lab outside France in Barcelona, from where it is developing initiatives in machine learning, augmented reality, logistics and search systems

Barcelona, 11 July 2023. – Veepee, the ecommerce leader in flash sales, owner of Privalia, has joined Tech Barcelona as a Corporate Partner with the aim of strengthening its commitment to the technological and digital ecosystem of Barcelona. The agreement will allow the company to expand its connection with startups, corporations and institutions, building bridges of collaboration and strengthening the e-commerce and retail sector in the city.

The multinational, with a presence in 10 countries, has been closely linked to Barcelona since 2008, when vente-privée entered Spain. In 2016, it bought Barcelona-based Privalia, one of the pioneering companies in the digital ecosystem, involved from the outset in the creation of Tech Barcelona.

In 2022, Veepee created its first Innovation Lab outside France in Barcelona, from where it is developing new projects that improve the purchasing process, with initiatives in machine learning, augmented reality, logistics and search systems, thanks to the help of the city’s young technological talent. The group currently employs 1,300 people in Spain, and has offices in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, as well as a warehouse in Santa Oliva (Tarragona).

Anja Brehm, Country Manager of Veepee in Spain, assures that “at Veepee, we have been committed to innovation, technological talent and digitalisation for years. We firmly believe that these elements are key to business development. Actively participating in this ecosystem is fundamental for our continued growth. Therefore, we are pleased to announce our collaboration as partners of Tech Barcelona. This partnership will allow us to expand our networking locally and internationally, thus enhancing the generation of new business opportunities.

For Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, “Veepee’s entry into Tech Barcelona will expand the connections and synergies necessary to innovate in the e-commerce sector, a pioneering industry in Barcelona’s technological and digital ecosystem that seeks to progress in favour of the consumer experience”.

Veepee’s origins go back to the old vente-privée, founded by Jacques-Antoine Granjon, who in 2001 revolutionised consumerism by creating the concept of online flash sales: limited quantities of branded products, sold at deep discounts and for limited periods of time (three to five days). The group currently works with more than 7,000 brands – fashion, home and decoration, accessories, sports, technology, children’s, travel, leisure, beauty and gastronomy – to offer prices between 50% and 70% lower than recommended retail prices. Throughout its history, it has evolved its value proposition, which today follows the entire life cycle of the product through solutions ranging from full price to reduced price and also in second-hand and the circularity of the garments.

• The agreement allows the world’s third-largest spirits company to drive its innovation projects in collaboration with the city’s technology and digital ecosystem.

• Founded in 1862 by an original Catalan from Sitges, the family business with presence in more than 170 countries reinforces its commitment to Barcelona, where it has its headquarters for Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Greece.

Bacardi is a family company with a long tradition, founded in 1862 in Santiago de Cuba by Facundo Bacardi, a Catalan native from Sitges, which has been able to adopt innovative technological solutions to position itself as a benchmark in the spirits market; with more than 8,000 employees, it has production facilities in 10 countries and sells its more than 200 brands in more than 170 countries.

For Jesús Checa, Strategy & Disruptive Innovation Director at Bacardi, “Bacardi has adopted a corporate strategy for the coming years in which innovation plays a fundamental role, and where being connected to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in different territories is crucial. The city of Barcelona and Tech Barcelona provide us with a unique platform to carry out strategic innovation projects, in collaboration with different startups, universities, suppliers and customers, so that together we can transform the future of Bacardi in the coming years”.

“Bacardi’s commitment to innovation, as well as its experience and global prestige, make it a key player in the process of technological transformation of the restaurant and leisure sector in Barcelona,” says Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona. He adds that “this union reaffirms Tech Barcelona’s role as a central point in the city’s technological and digital ecosystem, demonstrating Barcelona’s capacity to attract international projects and talent”.

Tech Barcelona currently represents more than 1,200 companies and has more than 80 leading organisations committed to technology. Through its programme of content and activities, the association fosters connections between companies to create cross-innovation and accelerate the dynamics that reinforce Barcelona’s position as a technology and digital hub of international reference.

• Through this agreement, Scalapay’s direct connection with the entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem of Barcelona will enable and promote the growth of the Italian Fintech in Spain, while supporting the development of the industry in the region

• Scalapay, which has located its international ‘Risk & Data’ hub in the city, is looking for new collaboration opportunities to continue innovating in the field of eCommerce, risk management and payments

Barcelona, May 2 , 2023. – Scalapay, an Italian fintech that provides ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ solutions, joins Tech Barcelona as a Corporate Partner. The agreement positions Scalapay in the technological and digital ecosystem of Barcelona, where it already has its global ‘Risk & Data’ hub, and favors the creation of new collaboration opportunities to continue innovating in the field of electronic commerce and payments. Likewise, the entry of Scalapay adds to Tech Barcelona’s commitment to boosting the fintech sector, considered one of the strategic industries for the city.

Founded in 2019 in Italy by Simone Mancini and Johnny Mitrevski to offer consumers the possibility to pay in 3 installments without interest in online stores, Scalapay grew rapidly in the Italian e-commerce market and expanded its services throughout Europe, locating its headquarters for the Spanish market in Barcelona. In 2022, the startup became a ‘unicorn’ with a valuation of 1,000 million euros.

Florian Jensen, Chief Risk Officer at Scalapay: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Tech Barcelona and its vibrant ecosystem of startups and technological innovation in the city. Since our arrival in Barcelona, we were eager to contribute to the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and empower local talent. We believe that by working together, we can foster innovation and create a brighter future for all. We also want to reaffirm our presence by actively involving ourselves in the development and cooperation of the Barcelona fintech and risk ecosystem”

Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, adds that “the fintech sector is one of the great commitments of the city’s technological ecosystem, and having large international companies such as Scalapay reinforces this vision. At Tech Barcelona we are committed to connecting the main players who are leading this transformation to position Barcelona as a global benchmark fintech hub”.