Barcelona ranks among the top 5 EU startup hubs for the second consecutive year

Barcelona has once again been named one of the top five startup ecosystems in the European Union, according to the 2025 global ranking published by StartupBlink, a leading international startup ecosystem mapping platform. For the second year in a row, Barcelona ranks 5th in the EU, behind Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, and Amsterdam.

The report analyzes over 1,400 cities across 110 countries and evaluates ecosystems based on the quantity and quality of startups, the business environment, the number of coworking spaces and accelerators, startup traction, and other regional business and economic indicators.

Global recognition across key sectors

Globally, Barcelona now ranks as the 33rd startup ecosystem in the world, moving up five positions from last year, thanks to a 40.4% score increase. It remains Spain’s leading startup hub and is one of the few cases where the top national ecosystem is not the state capital.

Beyond its strong overall performance, Barcelona also ranks:

• 2nd worldwide in the video games sector
• 3rd globally—and 1st in Europe—for the pharmaceutical industry
• 2nd in the EU in healthtech
• 2nd globally in cleantech, smart cities, sustainability, and travel tech

The report also highlights the growing strength of the local ecosystem and the role of ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, the Catalan Government’s agency for business competitiveness, “in attracting record levels of investment and reinforcing the region’s position as a key innovation hub in Europe”.

Strong institutional support for startups

Catalan Minister for Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper, emphasized that “this recognition once again demonstrates the appeal of Barcelona and Catalonia as an international startup hub. Our startups continue to grow, and this is increasingly acknowledged across Europe. It’s a clear sign that emerging companies are contributing to the broader Catalan business ecosystem.”

Sàmper reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to scaling the ecosystem, with the objective of reaching 3,000 startups in Catalonia by 2030.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Business and Competitiveness and CEO of ACCIÓ, Jaume Baró, noted that “in an ever-changing context, a tech-based entrepreneurial ecosystem is essential to remain competitive. Startups drive innovation, create quality jobs, and attract top international talent.”

A growing ecosystem

According to Catalonia Trade & Investment, Catalonia is now home to 2,285 startups, the highest figure on record and a 9% increase over the previous year. Since 2016, the number of startups has more than doubled (+110%). These companies generate €2.33 billion in aggregate revenue (+10.6%) and employ over 22,840 professionals (+10.5%).

Barcelona’s continued rise in international rankings underscores its status as a dynamic, innovation-driven hub for global business and entrepreneurship.