Barcelona: the eighth leading Hub for technology investment opportunities

Barcelona is known for its significant number of contracted areas for development and is considered one of the top business destinations in sectors such as science, marketing, education, and technology. It is not surprising that the city has attracted six times more technological investments than in the previous decade, securing $6.300 million compared to just $1 million a decade earlier. This impressive growth places Barcelona in 8th place in Europe and makes it the leading city in Spain for technological investments.

As Jordi Valls, the deputy mayor on economics at Barcelona, stated, “The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) is one of the main urban concentrations for generating capital in Europe.” Unsurprisingly the city ranks fourth in Europe for its remarkable ability to absorb investments. Although the total investment is lower than in other capitals such as London or Berlin, Barcelona’s significance as an investment hub is substantial.

Main reasons

In 2024, the Mobile World Congress attracted 420,800 attendees, reinforcing its status as one of the most important technological events worldwide. Additionally, initiatives like “Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hubs” aim to integrate the city into a global ecosystem for new businesses. Notably, 86.7% of these startup projects are located within the AMB, positioning Barcelona in the 11th position in the investment of startups in Europe.

The healthcare sector is a significant area of focus too. Barcelona is the only Spanish city that ranks in the EMEA for total investment, holding the 22nd position. Also, Catalonia, which is just below Sweden and the Netherlands, is the third-best region for advanced therapies. Notable institutions such as Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Can Ruti are aiming to establish themselves as health hubs, similar to how the 22@ district has become a centre for technology.

Furthermore, 55% of Catalan GDP comes from the AMB, which makes 35% more than the last decade and more than 38% of the average in Europe. Creating a prosperous area for living, working, and investment. Despite the positive data, the wage gap remains a significant issue with a 17.8% difference; an aspect where more progress is necessary.