Barcelona-Catalonia: your hub for tech in Europe

12 Jan 2024

International Events · Business Investments

Barcelona-Catalonia has emerged as a dynamic tech hub, with companies worldwide choosing the city to establish digital centers for the European market. Currently hosting 96 global tech development centers, Catalonia has witnessed a remarkable doubling of tech hubs since 2018, generating an annual economic impact of over 1.4 billion, poised to surpass 2 billion by 2025.

In a recent Tech Spirit edition in Barcelona, Catalonia Trade & Investment hosted a roundtable featuring industry leaders, including IOI Interactive, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Quantion, shedding light on the benefits and challenges of setting up digital hubs in the city.

“Barcelona was chosen because of the talent pipeline from the universities and a very good cost-benefit ratio”

Marieta Ramos, Head of IT at Boehringer Ingelheim Spain

IOI Interactive, a leading AAA independent games developer and publisher, set up a studio in Barcelona in 2021. Eduard López, Studio Head of IOI Interactive Barcelona, highlighted the city's thriving passion for video game development and the growing success of the mobile market as key factors in their decision to establish a presence in Barcelona.

Quantion, a Catalan company specializing in facilitating digital transformations for businesses, collaborated with Lufthansa to launch its first digital hub in Southern Europe. Jordi Griful, CEO of Quantion, emphasized Barcelona's strategic advantages in talent, security, and connectivity, making it the ideal choice for their project.

Boehringer Ingelheim, a pharmaceutical giant, strategically located its European IT Hub in Barcelona. Marieta Ramos, Head of IT at Boehringer Ingelheim Spain, outlined the three reasons behind this decision: a strong existing presence in Barcelona, an impressive talent pipeline from local universities, and a favorable cost-benefit ratio.

Watch the roundtable to learn all the insights from IO Interactive, Qauntion, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Need help setting up a business in Barcelona-Catalonia? Contact us

For businesses looking to tap into the thriving tech ecosystem of Barcelona-Catalonia, Catalonia Trade & Investment offers personalized, confidential, and complimentary services. Whether you're planning to set up or expand your business, our team of experts is ready to guide you through the process and help your business thrive in this dynamic tech hub. Contact us today for expert assistance in making your mark in Barcelona-Catalonia's flourishing technology landscape.

Discover our services.

  • Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub

    Browse over 2,000 startups and discover Southern Europe's most vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial hub.

    See more
  • Setting up your company

    Catalonia Trade & Investment assists foreign companies in starting a business in Barcelona-Catalonia.

    See more
  • Access to talent

    Access to all sources of available talent for international companies in Barcelona-Catalonia.

    See more

More news and success stories
in Barcelona (Catalonia).