Catalonia Recognized as the Best Startup Ecosystem in Southern Europe

26 Nov 2025

Catalonia is named the top startup ecosystem in Southern Europe, highlighting its strong, consistent growth and leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Catalonia has been recognized as the best startup ecosystem in Southern Europe at the 3rd edition of the StartupBlink Startup Ecosystem Awards. StartupBlink, the leading global research platform on economy and innovation, highlighted the strength and long-term consistency of Catalonia’s ecosystem.

The award was presented to ACCIÓ–Catalonia Trade & Investment, the agency for business competitiveness of the Department of Business and Labour, in recognition of its sustained leadership in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and the visibility of the Catalan startup ecosystem.

Catalonia secured the top position in the Southern European category following StartupBlink’s continuous analysis, based on an algorithm that evaluates more than 40 parameters. According to StartupBlink, Catalonia stands out for its resilience and consistency as a regional leader since 2020, with an ecosystem that maintains a high and steady level of performance.

“This award recognizes the work of multiple actors, who have helped create a stable environment that fosters competitiveness”

Jaume Baró, Secretary of Business and Competitiveness and CEO of ACCIÓ–Catalonia Trade & Investment

StartupBlink’s recognition also underscores ACCIÓ–Catalonia Trade & Investment’s decade-long effort to analyze and promote the Catalan startup ecosystem. Since 2016, the Barcelona & Catalonia Startups Hub, created by the agency, has consolidated all relevant information on Catalonia’s emerging companies into a single, daily-updated platform.

According to Jaume Baró, Secretary of Business and Competitiveness and CEO of ACCIÓ–Catalonia Trade & Investment, the award "recognizes the work of multiple actors, both public and private, who have helped create a stable environment that fosters competitiveness and continually generates opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors". Baró added that "this award is further motivation not to remain still in self-complacency and to continue growing the Catalan startup ecosystem in both quantity and quality, ensuring it delivers positive returns for Catalan society as a whole".

A Growing Ecosystem that Embraces Innovation

Catalonia is home to 2,285 startups in 2025, the highest number in its history and a 9 % increase compared to the previous year. The ecosystem generates 22,840 jobs and produces over €2.3 billion in revenue, reflecting a 10.6 % annual increase, also a historic high.

Barcelona has strengthened its position as the leading startup hub in Southern Europe and the second most preferred hub in the European Union. It also ranks second worldwide among emerging startup ecosystems, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (Emerging Ecosystems Ranking 2024).

In terms of specialization, 34 % of Catalan startups operate in business services and health tech. Other key sectors include energy and green technologies (5.5 %) and edtech (5 %). In terms of revenue share, health tech, travel tech, and financial services together account for 32.8 % of total startup revenue.

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