Analysis of the startup ecosystem in Catalonia

25 Feb 2025

Download the annual analysis of the startup ecosystem in Catalonia, based on the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub's online directory.

Catalonia hosts a vibrant mix of startups, encompassing both emerging companies and well-established enterprises across diverse sectors, business models, and technologies, thereby fostering new ideas and businesses. Thanks to a diverse and dynamic industrial and service fabric, the region is a fertile ground for startup businesses and growth opportunities.

The 2024 edition of the analysis of the startup ecosystem in Barcelona and Catalonia, based on the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub's online directory, outlines the state of the startup ecosystem in Catalonia within the context of the global startup landscape for 2024, informed by the city’s placement in international rankings.

Furthermore, the study examines the key characteristics of startups in Catalonia, along with statistics that underscore their significance for the Catalan economy and the talent they contribute, and we investigate various aspects of their funding. This year, it also provides a concise analysis of three startup subsystems: deep tech, spin-offs, and scaleups, the latter of which are startups with high growth potential, as well as examples of notable startups in Catalonia.

Download the analysis of the startup ecosystem in Barcelona and Catalonia now.

Barcelona and Catalonia in International Startup Rankings

Barcelona and Catalonia occupy top positions in various international startup rankings:

  • 1st startup ecosystem in southern Europe.
  • 5th best ecosystem in the EU for creating a startup.
  • 6th ecosystem of the EU in the number of scaleups.
  • 7 unicorns born in Catalonia.

Barcelona ranks among the top five ecosystems for launching startups in the European Union, following Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, and Amsterdam, all of which are national capitals. Cities like Munich, Helsinki, and Madrid follow closely behind Barcelona.

Barcelona is the second-favorite hub in the EU for founders looking to start a startup, just behind Berlin. Seventeen percent of founders consider the city an attractive option, and it has held this position for the past seven years.

Barcelona has 1,887 startup founders from Catalan universities, making it the second-ranked city in the EU for the highest number of founders from local universities. This statistic further emphasizes the entrepreneurial spirit of Catalonia’s university community.

Additionally, Barcelona is ranked second as a startup hub in the EU, with the highest percentage of international founders, just behind Berlin and ahead of cities like Amsterdam and Valencia. This solidifies its status as one of the most cosmopolitan startup hubs.

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