Catalonia is now home to 203 international technology hubs with an economic impact exceeding €4.1 billion

Catalonia is home to 203 international technology hubs. These centers generate an economic impact of €4.109 billion and employ 46,080 professionals, 10% more than in 2024. These figures come from the fourth Tech Hubs Overview report, prepared by Mobile World Capital Barcelona together with the agency for business development under the Ministry for Business and Labour, ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, and the International Economic Promotion Department of Barcelona City Council, and presented this Tuesday at a press conference.

The report highlights that during 2025, 12 new international hubs were established in Catalonia, bringing the total to 203, with an overall economic impact of €4.109 billion. Furthermore, 80% of the companies that have set up the 160 international technology centers currently present in Catalonia have received support from ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment.

The 12 new technology hubs created in 2025 are from multinational companies based in Germany, China, France, the United States, Malta, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Together, they have generated 609 highly qualified jobs and an economic impact of more than €54 million.

These 12 new hubs operate in the health sector, IT product development, and services. In terms of geographic distribution, seven are located in the city of Barcelona, four within the metropolitan area, and one outside it.

Regarding the total number of hubs established in Catalonia (203), Barcelona remains the main location, accounting for 70% of these technology centers. A further 20% are located in other municipalities within the metropolitan area, while the remaining 10% are distributed across other parts of Catalonia.

“The arrival of new international technology hubs strengthens the competitiveness of Catalonia and confirms its appeal as a hub for innovation and digital talent”

Francesc Fajula, CEO of Mobile World Capital

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During the presentation of the report, the Secretary for Business and Competitiveness and CEO of ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, Jaume Baró, highlighted that “these results are proof that Catalonia has a strong voice in the new global economic order.” Along these lines, he added that “the fact that 80% of multinational companies that have opened technology centers in Catalonia have done so with the support of ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment demonstrates the importance the Government places on attracting this type of center to generate more and better knowledge in Catalonia and connect it with the local business community.”

For his part, the CEO of Mobile World Capital, Francesc Fajula, stated that “the arrival of new international technology hubs strengthens the competitiveness of Catalonia and confirms its appeal as a hub for innovation and digital talent.”

According to Barcelona City Council’s Deputy Mayor for Economy, Housing, Finance and Tourism, Jordi Valls "The report once again confirms that Barcelona and its surrounding area are becoming more competitive internationally as a center for technology development. This growth is no accident. It comes from a strong ecosystem that attracts and develops talent, investment, and high-value projects, supported by top-notch technology and excellent universities and research centers. This progress helps people in Barcelona grow professionally and also supports efforts to close the gender gap that still exists in the tech sector."

Competitiveness and talent

According to the report, the main reasons multinational companies choose to establish their technology hubs in Catalonia include the region’s global reputation, the prior presence of the parent company, and the quality of technological infrastructure. Other factors include the combination of available talent, a well-established ecosystem, and more moderate real estate costs compared to other locations.

The analysis by Mobile World Capital also shows that Barcelona is consolidating its position as one of the leading options for hosting technology hubs, competing directly with capitals such as Berlin, London, and Amsterdam.

Regarding the origin of the hubs based in Catalonia, the United States remains the leading country of origin, accounting for 23% of the centers, followed by Germany (20%) and France (13%).

In terms of sectors, 25% of international technology hubs specialize in the development of technological services and products, while 12% operate in the video games sector, and another 12% focus on consultancy and business services.

Demand for specialized professionals

The report also analyses the professional profiles most in demand among international technology hubs located in Catalonia. Currently, the most sought-after profiles are software engineers, IT consultants, and cybersecurity analysts.

In the labor market analysis, hubs agree that the most difficult profiles to find are highly specialized candidates, such as experts in artificial intelligence and machine learning, software developers and cloud architects, as well as data analysts and data scientists. These profiles face strong global demand, limited supply, and highly specific technical requirements, all of which intensify competition.

An overview of the developments carried out by these centers shows that 82% of the hubs established in Catalonia work with mature technologies that are ready for commercialization. API and back-end development, systems architecture, and application development continue to lead the technological specialization of the hubs. The report also notes a significant increase in the use of data-oriented technologies by hubs compared to the previous edition.

Over the past year, the application of Big Data in hub-led developments has increased from 39% to 45%, Cloud usage from 56% to 58%, and the use of Business Intelligence solutions from 45% to 49%.

Technology hubs with a presence in Catalonia are also strengthening their commitment to environmental and social sustainability through initiatives such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and environmental awareness. In fact, over 35% of them actively collaborate with universities, knowledge centers and the local ecosystem, reinforcing the positive impact of the hubs on the territory.