Barcelona is ranked in the top 5 european cities with most startups

Barcelona is one of the most important ecosystems in Spain and Europe when it comes to startups. The study “Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub” concluded that there are a total of 1,300 technology startups in the city, an emerging territory. Future predictions suggest that the sector will continue to grow. Barcelona in global terms is ranked 38th, behind major cities like San Francisco, New York, London, Boston, and Beijing. It also positions itself in the top 5 cities with the most startups in all of Europe.

According to the study that we mentioned before, in Barcelona, 26% of startup workers and 20% of founders have a foreign origin. As explained by Joanna Pousset, Professor of Economics, Finance, and Entrepreneurship at TBS-Education Barcelona, “The success of Barcelona as a startup ecosystem is largely due to its ability to attract and retain highly skilled international talent. The combination of a cosmopolitan environment, advanced technological infrastructure, and policies that foster innovation has turned the city into a magnet for global entrepreneurs. This diversity not only enriches the local business fabric but also facilitates the creation of innovative solutions tailored to international markets.” Pouset in addition to her role as a professor at the business school, is also a startup mentor and advisor to investors.

Currently, some Catalan companies are aiming for the Unicorn 2025, a designation for companies that achieve the value of one billion dollars in less than a decade without the need to go public. In 2011, Cabify earned the first Unicorn in our country.

Buisness candidates to obtein the Unicorn 2025

In the context of the city’s consolidation as an buisnees hub and a global tech , experts from TBS-Education highlight some of the startups that were born in Barcelona and are growing exponentially:

1. Wallapop: Founded in 2013, it is a platform for buying and selling second-hand products and has experienced a significant growth in recent years. The company is well-positioned to achieve a valuation of over 1 billion dollars.

2. Submer: With HQ in Barcelona, it develops technologies to reduce energy consumption in data centers. The company recently closed a funding round of 50 million euros, achieving a valuation of 250 million euros.

3. SeQura: With HQ in Barcelona, SeQura is a fintech that offers flexible payment solutions for both e-commerce and physical stores. Founded in 2013, the company allows customers to shop now and pay later.

4. Exoticca: Founded in Barcelona in 2013, Exoticca is an online travel agency specialized in organized trips to exotic destinations. With an intuitive platform, it allows users to customize and book complete travel packages, offering unique experiences at competitive prices.

According to Joanna Pousset, “The growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Barcelona is not only supported by the consolidation of successful startups but also by an educational environment that fosters innovation from the early stages of training. The universities and business schools in the city, such as TBS Education, play a crucial role by offering programs that combine theory with real-world practice in entrepreneurship, preparing students to face the challenges of the global market and provide disruptive solutions.” A great example of this is the specialization is the one that we offer in the third year of the Bachelor in Management program at the school, which focuses on digital and social entrepreneurship.

In this regard, Pousset explains, “Barcelona has established itself as a key center for the training and development of talent in entrepreneurship and innovation. The presence of tech hubs, accelerators, incubators, and a network of experienced mentors creates an environment where future leaders can experiment, learn, and scale their ideas. This synergy between the academic world and the business ecosystem is one of the factors driving the energy of the city.” explains Pousset, who also works as a startup mentor and investment advisor, adds.