Marco Marino, Senior Product Designer at The Knot Worldwide, has published his first book: “Your First Product Design Book”, a clear, honest, and practical guide for those starting out in digital product design.

Written from his experience designing global products from The Knot’s hub in Barcelona, the book aims to bridge the gap between what is taught in courses or bootcamps and what is truly needed to work effectively in a product team.
With more than 10 years of experience, Marco has led different projects such as inspiration tools for couples and user-centered solutions for one of the most important moments in their lives: planning a wedding.

In the first chapter, the author addresses one of the most common (and least discussed) realities:

“You don’t start by designing a screen. You start by understanding a business.”

From there, the book takes the reader through the entire process: from discovery to design systems, covering strategy, wireframes, testing, and validation. All illustrated with real examples and references to products such as Spotify, Duolingo, Notion, or Atlassian.

“Your First Product Design Book” is self-published, written in Spanish, and available from July 2025.
More information here.

An independent initiative created in Barcelona, with the aim of contributing to the global product design community.

#ProductDesign #UX #TheKnot #BarcelonaTech #Book #ProductDesign #TechBarcelona

Preliminary Announcement – RED.ES AI Call: Value Chain & Healthcare Sector

From FI Group, we share a preliminary preview (pending official publication) of the upcoming RED.ES AI call focused on value chain and the healthcare sector.

Key Highlights:

• National scope | Competitive process

• Total budget: €130M with regional distribution

• Project budget: €400K – €5M

• Duration: 12–24 months

• Maximum subcontracting: 40%

• Advance payment up to 100% with guarantees

• Guarantee required if advance aid is requested

Aid intensities:

• Up to 60% for small enterprises

• Up to 50% for medium-sized enterprises

• Up to 40% for large enterprises

📅 Call expected mid-July 2025

Evaluation criteria:

• Not being a company in crisis, compliance with late payment legislation

• Economic viability, social impact, and gender equality

FI Group encourages the Tech Barcelona ecosystem to contact us as soon as possible to assess the feasibility of your ideas and prepare strong proposals.

Diego Gómez
Partnership Manager – FI Group
📩 diego.gomez@fi-group.com

🤝 #Floox and SIMON join forces to drive #ElectricMobility with DC charging solutions.

We have signed a strategic agreement with #SIMON, a benchmark in electrical and lighting solutions, to incorporate our fast and ultra-fast DC chargers into their electric mobility portfolio.

Thanks to this alliance, SIMON expands its range with power outputs from 30 kW to 240 kW, now offering a comprehensive charging solution in both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), adaptable to any environment — from logistics centers to on-route charging points.

At Floox, we contribute our expertise in developing high-performance DC chargers, further reinforcing our joint commitment to a more sustainable, efficient, and scalable mobility. ⬆️

Estabanell has been named one of the 10 most disruptive companies in Catalonia under the Catalonia Exponential Leaders program promoted by ACCIÓ, the Agency for Business Competitiveness of the Government of Catalonia. The recognition was awarded for the creation of ERIA, its Corporate Venturing vehicle that connects startup innovation with the business group, and for the launch of Energy in the Cloud, the company’s spinoff that enables more efficient management of electricity distribution networks.

The award was announced this Wednesday during the seventh edition of Exponential Day, an event organized by ACCIÓ to highlight the impact of organizations leading the transformation of their sectors through innovation, strategic agility, and the ability to anticipate major global challenges.

Estabanell was selected for its strong commitment to internal and open innovation, energy transition, and digitalization as key drivers of growth and sustainability. This commitment led to the creation, in 2024, of ERIA, the open innovation platform that connects the startup ecosystem with Estabanell, and the launch of Energy in the Cloud, the company’s spinoff startup that has developed proprietary technology to stabilize electricity distribution services for both the group and third parties, in a time of energy transition and changing consumer relationships with energy.

“Receiving this recognition from ACCIÓ encourages us to keep thinking long term and about our impact on the environment, so we can continue acting as we always have – responsibly. Disruption, for us, is a way to positively transform society within our area of activity,” said Teresa Roig, the group’s CEO.

With this distinction, Estabanell joins the Catalonia Exponential Leaders community, which brings together leading Catalan companies in disruptive innovation committed to sustainable and impactful growth models.

Achieving 100% compliance with pricing policy is a major challenge due to the complexity and number of rules that must be applied across different channels, products, and markets. The key is to keep deviations under control and ensure they remain the exception, not the rule. To do this, constant monitoring is essential in order to detect and correct any deviations in time.

In addition, it is very important to identify opportunities for improvement in price management that are often not evident without deep and ongoing analysis. These two actions are essential to optimize execution and achieve better results. For more details, we invite you to read the full article in More Information and to schedule a meeting with our team to explore how we can help you strengthen your pricing strategy.

Self-Employed or Limited Company? What You Need to Know About Taxes in Spain
Are you running a business in Spain or thinking about starting one? Not sure whether it’s better to work as a self-employed professional (autónomo) or set up a Limited Company (Sociedad Limitada)?

This in-person event is designed to help you make informed decisions.

📅 Join us on July 17th at 6:00 PM at the Banco Sabadell Welcome Hub in Barcelona for a practical and insightful session on business structures, taxes, and management strategies in Spain.

👨‍💼 This time, our main speaker will be Louis Williams, CEO of Entre Trámites, a çonsulting firm that supports thousands of entrepreneurs and expats across Spain. Louis will guide you through the key differences between being self-employed and creating a limited company.

🔍 What to Expect:
✅ When it’s better to operate as a self-employed professional vs. a limited company
✅ Key tax and accounting differences
✅ How to register properly for either option
✅ Practical tips to avoid common mistakes and manage your business efficiently

🗣️ Event Format:
📄 Clear, practical talk (15–20 minutes)
❓ Open Q&A with our experts (30–45 minutes)
🤝 Networking opportunity and access to useful resources for entrepreneurs

🎟️ Free entry with prior registration – limited seats available!
👉 Save your spot now: https://www.eventbrite.es/e/self-employed-or-limited-company-what-you-need-to-know-about-taxes-tickets-1419805098269

Organized by:
✨ Entre Trámites – Your digital partner for legal, tax, and business support in Spain

€10 per session to take care of your mental health

As a member of Tech Barcelona, you get a €10 discount on every therapy session with your ideal psychologist. Register at www.aurela.health and enter the code TECHBCN10 during the payment process to receive your appointment discount.

Aurela is the new startup from GCO Ventures, born in Tech Barcelona. We help you find a qualified psychologist who truly understands what you need. We want to give you a space where taking care of your mental health is simple, approachable, and professional.

You can share your code with anyone who needs it because sharing is also a way of caring.

Slush Helsinki es una cita muy exclusiva y el principal congreso tecnológico del norte de Europa. Cada año reúne a alrededor de 5000 startups, 3000 inversores, 200 investigadores y 2500 visitantes profesionales del ecosistema de emprendimiento internacional.

En Slush conocerás las últimas tendencias en materia de innovación tecnológica con un amplio programa de conferencias, sesiones de networking, mesas redondas y workshops impartidos por emprendedores de éxito, inversores de primera línea y prescriptores tecnológicos.

ICEX y Red.es organizan el Pabellón España para darte acceso a un evento exclusivo, con un estricto proceso de admisión donde solo acceden los mejores emprendedores.

POR QUÉ PARTICIPAR EN EL PABELLÓN ESPAÑA

• Podrás participar en una misión previa para introducirte de lleno en el ecosistema finlandés
• Organizamos una agenda grupal de visitas para que conozcas de primera mano a algunos de los principales actores del dinámico ecosistema finlandés: organismos de emprendimiento, aceleradoras, startups… La misión previa tendrá lugar el 18 de noviembre.
• Encontrar nuevos socios y clientes en Finlandia es más fácil con ICEX
• Organizamos un encuentro exclusivo de networking en la residencia del embajador de España en Finlandia.
• Impulsamos y reforzamos tu reputación en Slush Helsinki
• Para acceder a Slush Helsinki tienes que justificar el potencial de tu proyecto y tener cierta reputación previa. Nosotros te damos el apoyo y el impulso que necesitas para entrar.
• Conectarás con el resto de empresas del ecosistema español
• Podrás establecer alianzas con el resto de startups, entidades de capital riesgo, fondos de inversión, incubadoras, corporaciones y aceleradoras españolas que participan en el Pabellón España.
• Tu empresa no pasará desapercibida
• Captarás la atención de los visitantes al formar parte de un pabellón agrupado, con la fuerza que proporciona participar conjuntamente con el resto de empresas españolas.
• Tendrás acceso a la plataforma de reuniones de Slush
• Con ella podrás generar una agenda de reuniones muy potente para impulsar a tu empresa y conseguir tus objetivos.

Inscríbete aquí. Fecha límite 18 de julio.

LinkedIn is no longer just a place to upload your CV. With over 1 billion users worldwide (and 42 million in UK), it has become a vibrant, dynamic, and above all, strategic platform for connecting, inspiring, leading professional conversations, and creating business opportunities. But in an environment where thousands of pieces of content are posted every second, how can we make sure our profile doesn’t go unnoticed?

After years of working with brands and personal profiles in the digital space—and closely analysing how LinkedIn’s algorithm works—one thing is clear: standing out on this platform isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being purposeful, consistent… and adding a touch of authenticity.

Here are some key insights that, in my experience, truly make a difference:

1. Visual content and interactive formats

LinkedIn’s algorithm tends to favour posts that rely on visual and interactive content: short videos, carousels, infographics, and polls help boost message retention and increase reach. These formats have become essential tools for improving visibility and driving engagement.

2. Strategic links to avoid penalisation

Currently, LinkedIn’s algorithm reduces the reach of posts that include external links in the main body of the text. To avoid this, it’s recommended to place links in the first comment instead—preserving visibility while still providing access to additional information.

3.  Interaction as a visibility driver

Active participation on the platform is crucial. Commenting on relevant posts, reacting, sharing valuable content, and mentioning professionals or influential companies contribute to organic reach and strengthen your presence within your sector.

4. Digital Networking 

Attending virtual events or joining sector-specific groups is an effective way to connect with industry leaders. Sharing ideas and staying up to date with trends is essential. The key lies in engaging and adding value in these spaces, fostering long-term professional relationships.

5. An optimised profile as your calling card

Having a complete, professional, and optimised profile is fundamental. Key elements such as a quality photo, a header image aligned with your professional identity, a well-crafted bio with relevant keywords, up-to-date experience, and strong recommendations all influence how your profile is perceived. AI tools can certainly help streamline this process, but don’t forget to add your personal touch to every detail.

6. Purposeful Hashtags

Hashtags remain an effective tool to expand the reach of your posts, provided they are used consistently and in moderation. Typically, three to four targeted hashtags per post are enough to help amplify your content.

7. Balanced Visual Language

Emojis and symbols, when used thoughtfully, can make content feel more approachable and visually engaging. However, overuse can compromise clarity and reduce professionalism. Here, moderation is key.

8. Formatting matters

How content is presented is just as important as what it says. Short paragraphs, proper spacing, and a structure optimised for mobile reading enhance user experience and boost interaction.

9. Personal branding as a strategic tool

Publishing opinion pieces, infographics, PDFs or newsletters helps you showcase your expertise and position yourself as a thought leader in your field. A strong personal branding strategy supports professional growth and expands your network.

Beyond individual efforts, more and more companies are turning their employees into digital brand ambassadors—an approach that not only increases reach but also strengthens team credibility. Learn how to implement this step-by-step here. 

10. The right time to post

Timing also impacts results. In the Spanish market, weekday mornings—especially Wednesdays at 10:00am—and weekends between 12:00pm and 6:00pm tend to yield the best engagement. In terms of frequency, prioritising quality over quantity is key: one or two well-crafted posts per week are ideal. If your target audience is international, these timings may vary.

10 + 1. Authenticity and common sense as a differentiator

In an era where AI-generated content is increasingly common, authenticity stands out as one of the most valued assets. Sharing personal elements within your professional narrative helps humanise your profile and build a stronger connection with your audience. It also helps reinforce your brand’s leadership. More ideas on how to achieve this from a leadership perspective can be found here. 

Looking to give your LinkedIn profile a strategic boost? At Canela, we can help you stand out. Let’s talk?

Arantxa Aguilera, Head of Digital at Canela