3 Blue Economy initiatives from Barcelona-Catalonia

Barcelona is emerging as a leader in the Blue Economy, driven by the growing collaboration between local and international companies, research institutions, and the government to develop sustainable solutions for ocean and coastal management. At the Smart City Expo World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, leaders from three pioneering Blue Economy initiatives in the region shared their insights into Catalonia’s innovative approaches to ocean preservation, environmental data collection, and entrepreneurial growth in the sector.

“Barcelona is very well positioned to be the leader of the Blue Economy in Europe”

Emma Cobos, Director of Innovation and Business Strategy, Port of Barcelona

 

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Barcelona's BlueTechPort: A hub for innovation in the Blue Economy

Emma Cobos, Director of Innovation and Business Strategy at the Port of Barcelona, discussed the BlueTechPort project, an ambitious initiative aimed at establishing Barcelona as a central hub for Blue Economy innovation. Cobos highlighted that BlueTechPort will provide an expansive 25,000 square meters of dedicated space by 2027 to support startups and companies working to enhance logistics, port services, and sustainability efforts. Currently, 20 startups are already part of the project, showcasing the Port’s commitment to fostering innovative solutions that benefit both the local economy and the Mediterranean environment.

International and local companies pioneering sustainable ocean technologies

Ann Carpenter, CEO of Braid Theory, a Los Angeles-based venture advisory firm, spoke about the firm’s plans to open a new incubator in Barcelona. With expertise in advising engineering and science-led startups, Braid Theory sees great potential in Catalonia’s entrepreneurial community and the BlueTechPort’s approach to ecosystem-building. Carpenter noted how Barcelona’s collaborative spirit and the established Blue Economy infrastructure mirror the firm’s work in Los Angeles, making it an ideal location for their European expansion. Braid Theory aims to replicate their successful model here, nurturing startups focused on sustainable ocean technology and environmental solutions.

Pau Guasch, CEO of Seabots, a Barcelona-based startup founded in 2019, highlighted the importance of monitoring coastal ecosystems as climate change impacts global coastlines. Seabots specializes in deploying robotics technology to gather critical data on coastal erosion, water quality, and essential infrastructure to protect Catalonia’s 600 kilometers of coastline. Guasch emphasized that, with 40% of the world’s population living along coastlines, innovations like those developed by Seabots are vital to ensuring the sustainability of marine environments for future generations.

Catalonia: A thriving ecosystem for Blue Economy innovation and expansion in Europe

Barcelona-Catalonia’s Blue Economy encompasses diverse sectors, including maritime transport, tourism, and emerging fields such as submarine cables and drone technology, all leveraging Catalonia’s technological strengths.

Catalonia Trade & Investment is committed to supporting companies and entrepreneurs who are looking to expand their Blue Economy initiatives in Europe. Contact us today to explore the opportunities and resources available to bring your blue economy project to the forefront of Europe’s sustainable ocean technology movement.