Historic investment record for Catalan startups

In 2024, tech-based startups headquartered in Catalonia raised a record-breaking 1.797€ million in investment, which not only doubles the previous year’s total (with a huge 150% increase), but also exceeds the former all-time high set in 2021 by 20%

This milestone signifies the revival of the Catalan entrepreneurial ecosystem after a challenging period of financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Catalonia’s total investment surpassed 200€ million, exceeding that of the Community of Madrid. This reinforces Catalonia’s position as a leading hub for innovation and technological development in Spain.

Catalonia and Madrid, the core of Spain’s startup ecosystem

A particularly striking detail is that nearly half of the capital raised (around 900€ million) came from just four major funding rounds, led by Sequra, ID Finance, Impress, and TravelPerk. This highlights not only the region’s capacity to attract large-scale investments but also the importance of strengthening early-stage startup support.

In this ongoing competition between Spain’s autonomous communities to lead in tech entrepreneurship, Catalonia and Madrid together account for 85% of the country’s total startup investment, according to the recent report published by El Referente. The report also notes that both regions maintain similar levels in startup numbers, job creation, and annual revenue, securing their strategic economic significance within the national framework.

A Promising Outlook for the Tech Market

This investment boom aligns with our previous conversation about the recent QS report, which identified Spain as one of the 20 most prepared economies to face technological and job market transformations, ranking 12th globally.

On the other hand, a previous report revealed that 40.37% of all startup investment in Spain is concentrated in Catalonia, positioning the Barcelona metropolitan area as one of the most dynamic tech hubs, not just in the country, but globally.

TBS Education – Barcelona: At the Heart of Opportunity

In this fast-evolving landscape, TBS Education – Barcelona stands out as a business school fully embedded in the region’s innovation ecosystem. Through close industry ties, our students gain early and effective access to the job market, overcoming one of the major contemporary challenges: the gap between academic and professional employment.

As the QS report highlights, one of the biggest mismatches for graduates is bridging the gap between education and career opportunities. But with TBS Education – Barcelona, our students will quickly move into internships and positions with leading companies, many of them based right here in Barcelona’s thriving tech scene. As a result, our students gain direct access to real career opportunities, eliminating the gap between education and employment.