ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment named a Startup Ecosystem Star 2026

ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the business growth agency of the Ministry of Business and Labour, has been recognized as one of the world’s leading organizations in driving innovation ecosystems. The prestigious consultancy Mind the Bridge has selected the Catalan agency as one of its 50 Startup Ecosystem Stars 2026 at a ceremony held this Thursday at Stanford University, in California, USA.

Mind the Bridge presents this recognition to organizations and stakeholders that contribute to creating and growing innovation, startup, and entrepreneurship ecosystems around the world. Specifically, according to the organization, ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment has been recognized for its ability to connect international opportunities with regional strengths, helping to strengthen Catalonia’s appeal to businesses, investors, and talent.

"ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment is recognized as a leading organization in the Best-in-class Startup Programs, Outstanding Investment Boost and Top Talent & Research categories for its strong track record, proactive international approach and contribution to positioning Catalonia as a leading destination for innovation and investment," said Marco Marinucci, founder and CEO of Mind the Bridge.

Furthermore, "ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment’s presence in San Francisco provides a strategic link to the Silicon Valley ecosystem, while Barcelona’s growing international prominence as a startup hub and Catalonia’s record foreign investment attraction, with more than €1 billion secured in 2025, further reinforce the importance of its work,” the consultancy also highlighted.
 

“ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment is recognized as a leading organization for its strong track record, proactive international approach and contribution to positioning Catalonia as a leading destination for innovation and investment”

Marco Marinucci, founder and CEO of Mind the Bridge

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The Startup Ecosystem Stars awards recognize institutions that help create the conditions for innovation to prosper through public policies, entrepreneurship support initiatives, investment and talent attraction, connections between research and business, and the promotion of open innovation. The awards are organized by Mind the Bridge in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and, starting this year, Stanford University.

The awards ceremony brought together representatives from the world’s leading innovation ecosystems to share best practices and strengthen international collaboration. ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment shares this category with other international agencies such as Business Finland (Finland), Innovation Norway (Norway), KOTRA (South Korea), Austrade (Australia), London & Partners (United Kingdom), or Swissnex (Switzerland).

In addition to the recognition given to ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, Mind the Bridge also presented awards in other categories. On the one hand, they distinguish leading open innovation companies (the Corporate Startup Stars), which this year was headed by Anthropic, as well as several Rising Stars and special awards for outstanding collaboration initiatives with startups, among others.

Mind the Bridge is a leading international open innovation organization headquartered in Silicon Valley. It connects companies, startups, investors, and institutions to drive entrepreneurial and technological ecosystems, in addition to conducting research studies and organizing these awards.

Startup ecosystem

Catalonia currently has 2,403 startups, up 5.2% from the previous year and the highest figure on record, according to ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment’s Analysis of the Startup Ecosystem in Catalonia 2026 report. The report is based on data from the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub digital platform, a directory created by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment in 2016 that includes emerging companies established no more than 10 years ago (12 years in the biotechnology sector). These companies are technology-based, have scalable and repeatable business models that can be applied in global markets, and are geared towards rapid growth.

Government boost for business innovation

The Government has approved Catalonia’s Business Innovation Strategy 2026-2030, aiming to strengthen the innovative capacity of the Catalan business framework and enhance its competitiveness. Led by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the new strategy plans to increase funding support for companies by 30% in 2026, with a €78 million package that will mobilize nearly €300 million in private investment by businesses.

Among the main objectives set for 2030, key highlights include:

• Reaching 2% of GDP in business R&D expenditure.
• Surpassing 12,000 innovative companies.
• Exceeding 3,000 startups, with 25% in deep tech.
• Hosting over 250 tech hubs of multinational technology companies in Catalonia.

The strategy consists of eight strategic axes and more than 30 specific actions to boost areas such as technological sovereignty, talent, digital transformation, decarbonization, and the international projection of Catalonia as an innovation hub.