Barcelona consolidates its position as a global reference in the startup ecosystem

Barcelona has taken a major step on the international innovation scene, climbing five positions in the global startup ecosystem ranking, according to the StartupBlink report. The city now ranks 33rd globally, making it the leading startup hub in Southern Europe and the fifth best-positioned city within the European Union.

This progress places Barcelona ahead of other major capitals, such as Madrid, which doesn’t even appear in the ranking. At the European level, only London, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, and Amsterdam surpass Barcelona, ​​highlighting its ability to attract talent and investment, as well as its sustained growth in the sector. Spain, for its part, also improved its position in the global ranking by country, rising to 14th place with a growth score of 29.7%, reinforcing the positive momentum of the national entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key success factors

The report identifies several elements that have contributed to Barcelona’s rise:

• International talent: The city draws professionals from around the world thanks to its quality of life, climate, and rich cultural and educational offerings.
• Infrastructure: The existence of technological and academic hubs such as the 22@ district , as well as internationally renowned events such as the Mobile World Congress, has significantly strengthened the local ecosystem.
• Institutional support: Various public and private initiatives have promoted the creation and consolidation of startups.

A promising future

This promotion not only ensures a promising future for the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, but also for student opportunities. As this year’s QS report also points out, the combination of talent, infrastructure, and institutional support places Barcelona in an ideal position to continue growing and consolidate its position as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. And this is where academic institutions like ours, with strong ties to business and technology cities, come into their own.