The Startup Ecosystem of Barcelona
Barcelona has 1337 startups in our sample database. This represents about 52% of Spain’s startups. Barcelona is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Spain.
CITY RANKING
While Barcelona decreased by 3 spot in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2023, its ranking in Spain remained stable at 1 nationally since 2022.
National Ranking
In Spain
Regional Ranking
In Western Europe
Global Ranking
Worldwide
In Partnership with
Ecosystem
Startup Ecosystem Overview
Barcelona’s startup ecosystem is flourishing thanks to its exceptional education system, talented workforce, robust infrastructure, and supportive public sector initiatives. Renowned business schools like IESE and ESADE are attracting foreign students, positioning Barcelona as a global hub for business education.
The city fosters tech transfer through organizations like Conector and the Collider, while Barcelona Health Hub promotes digital health innovation. Barcelona is a desirable destination for digital professionals, and major events like the Mobile World Congress solidify its status as a global technology center.
With seamless integration of various transportation modes, Barcelona’s infrastructure supports local and global connectivity. Private investment opportunities thrive, particularly in Circular Economy, Digital Economy, and Industry 4.0, attracting international players like GT Private Banking.
The public sector plays a crucial role with initiatives such as the Entrepreneurial Nation Strategy and the Startup Law, reducing red tape and offering favorable tax regimes. Barcelona benefits from the Startup Visa and Entrepreneur Visa, attracting international entrepreneurs.
Catalonia Trade & Investment actively promotes Barcelona and Catalonia as attractive business locations, facilitating foreign direct investment and offering comprehensive support.
Barcelona’s startup ecosystem, with its top-notch education, skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, private investment opportunities, and supportive public initiatives, has cemented its position as a thriving hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Startups
Barcelona Top Startup Industries
62 startups
199 startups
59 startups
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Ecosystem HealthCheck
Barcelona Ecosystem Health Check
The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Barcelona has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...
- Overperformance
- Performance equal to global ranking
- Underperformance
ECOSYSTEM
Browse the startup ecosystem database of Barcelona
Ecosystem
The Startup Ecosystem in Barcelona
Global Rank
Barcelona is ranked within the top 50 startup ecosystems globally.
Top Industries
Barcelona’s startups excel particularly in Foodtech where it ranks 13 and in Social & Leisure, and Energy & Environment. Find out more
Top Cities for Startups in Spain - Ranked by StartupBlink
| 2023 National Rank & Change | City | Global Rank & Change | Total Score | Quantity Score | Quality Score | Business Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st 0 | 40th - 3 | 17.658 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
2nd 0 | 49th + 1 | 13.514 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
3rd 0 | 184th - 25 | 3.317 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
4th 0 | 284th - 14 | 1.504 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
5th 0 | 332nd - 8 | 1.141 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
6th + 1 | 340th + 20 | 1.065 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
7th + 1 | 370th + 2 | 0.933 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
8th - 2 | 382nd - 31 | 0.890 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
9th 0 | 418th - 4 | 0.757 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
10th 0 | 436th - 12 | 0.704 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 |
Startups
Notable Startups in Barcelona
Startups
Successful Foodtech startups in Barcelona
ECOSYSTEM
Why should you join Barcelona's Startup Ecosystem?
Overview
Within Barcelona there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Foodtech, Social & Leisure, Energy & Environment. These three industries represent about 24% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Barcelona.
1st
National Rank
7th
Regional Rank
Overview
Barcelona is Spain's 1st best startup ecosystem and is ranked 7th in Western Europe. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Barcelona is ranked 40th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Paack and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as Glovo and Regus Barcelona World Trade Center.
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