Barcelona hive of technological startups

Barcelona is a hotbed of startups and is becoming one of the reference capitals in the startup world. These technology-based companies find the Catalan capital very attractive.

What are startups or emerging companies?

They are newly created companies that market products or services through the intensive use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). With a scalable business model that allows rapid and sustainable growth over time.

Thanks to the strong technological immersion of these companies, their growth is agile and with less need for capital than traditional companies would require.

Barcelona in numbers

Currently Barcelona is the third preferred European city to create businesses by entrepreneurs. It is the fifth city in number of startups. And it has risen to third place for European cities where more is invested in startups, with a total of 871 million euros invested in 2018.

It is estimated that are about 1,300 startups in the city with digital bases and that they employ about 30,000 people.

The attractiveness of the city

Its’ success stories

Barcelona is becoming a city with an entrepreneurial mindset where everyone wants to set up their own company. One of the possible causes of this new, growing mentality are success stories that have emerged here, such as Privalia, Social Point, Globo, Badi, e-Cooltra, …

Apart from its’ success stories, Barcelona has not stopped doing things to encourage innovation and facilitate the creation of companies.

Events

With events such as 4YFN, a fair that takes place in parallel to the Mobile World Congress. In its latest edition, in 2019, together with 670 startup shelves with 950 investors and 420 speakers from around the world. Or events such as Smart City, Retail and Brand Experience World Congress, Biz Barcelona, ​​Affiliate World Europe, and many more. They help to make the city and its proposals known to the rest of the world.

Public administration

On public administration part, it also promotes entrepreneurship with aiding and training programs such as ACCIÓ, or new urban models such as the 22 @, which aims to promote cooperation of public administration and universities with companies.

Hubs

Another aspect that emerges from the city is the large structure of business hubs. Spaces where entrepreneurs work together, collaborate and form a community. Its goal is to get them to generate synergies and promote their progress through talks, workshops, innovation laboratories, etc. Hubs like Impact HUB Barcelona, ​​Makers of Barcelona, ​​Valkiria Hub Space, … encourage cooperation between entrepreneurs.

Universities

The great diversity and specialization of universities and business schools are a great asset of the capital. Thanks to these universities a large amount of talent is created within the city. And, combined with the fact that the Catalan capital is the 4th destination for international technological talent, there is a large number of technically qualified people to develop leading and pioneering companies.

Low costs compared to other capitals

One of the main attractions found by foreign entrepreneurs who move to Barcelona, ​​to set up their businesses, are the low salary and rent costs obtained in the Catalan capital compared to other cities such as San Francisco, New York or London. Very attractive cities also for their entrepreneurial culture, and successful companies that are located there.

It is also a city with a good climate all year long thanks to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and its many sunny days, generating a high quality of life for its inhabitants.

Example of startup incubators in Barcelona

ASICS with its TENKAN-TEN program.

This incubator of ASICS company aims to seek new business models and new products or services, within the world of sports and physical health.

The company describes why it has chosen Barcelona in 8 points:

1. It has a competitive environment.
2. Has the international talent and first-class business schools.
3. Good access to Business Angels and venture capital.
4. Excellent infrastructures and a strategic location.
5. International incubators and a network of accelerators.
6. There are international fairs, business congresses, and exhibitions.
7. Has a proven success model for emerging companies.
8. And an unbeatable quality of life.

Cat Real Estate with its Cat Real Estate Proptech incubator

Real estate group Cat Real Estate is committed to PropTech (digital startups in the real estate sector) bringing real estate services to potential customers and improving the experience for existing customers.

The incubator proposal is to accompany the entrepreneur in early stages of the business and become an industrial partner that provides value.

“We always think of profitability as a sustainable metric for any Startup. We are proactive in the search for new business models that prioritize the profitability of the asset and improve existing models. Through technology you can get that equation. We are in permanent search for new real estate businesses that provide profitability to our assets. “

In this incubator we find three projects of companies with digital bases that are already operational.

YourHoming

Specialized in development and rental of fully furnished apartments for both medium and long term (non-tourist rental). The apartments are rented in seasonal format, with a minimum of 33 days and a maximum of 11 months, in a price range of between € 1200 and € 2000 per month.

Melibero

With Melibero we want to change the way real estate selling works. Be disruptive to traditional management, applying flat management fees and offering the same services as traditional agencies. No management fees.

Rentando

It is a new way to manage your properties with a low-cost approach. Using technology to reduce costs, offering a price below market and a complete user experience for customer leased properties.

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