International Tech Hubs in Catalonia grow 9% in 2024, reaching 160

Catalonia is home to 160 international technology hubs, an increase of 9% over the previous year. In 2024, these centers generated 6,191 new jobs, a significant increase of 22% over the last year, bringing the total number of jobs to 34,869.

These findings are outlined in the third Tech Hubs Overview Report (.PDF document), conducted by Catalonia Trade & Investment in collaboration with Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) and the International Economic Promotion Department of Barcelona City Council.

“88% of these 160 centers have been installed in Catalonia with the support of Catalonia Trade & Investment”

Maria Galindo, Secretary for Digital Policy - Government of Catalonia

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The report highlights that in 2024, 13 new international hubs were inaugurated in Catalonia, bringing the total to 160, with an economic impact of 2,879 million euros. These 13 new projects will generate 263 qualified jobs and an economic impact of almost 22 million euros.

Furthermore, Catalonia Trade & Investment supported 88% of the firms that established the 160 international technology centers in Catalonia.

The document highlights a positive trend in job creation that is expected to continue in the coming years. It estimates that the number of employees in technology centers will rise to 42,700 by 2026. This edition of the Tech Hubs Overview also introduces a more detailed analysis of the workforce and the evolution of the hubs since their inception. Overall, the findings indicate that the ecosystem is currently consolidating as a hub for innovation and development, characterized by sustained growth and a significant economic impact on the region.

The presentation of the results of the report was attended by the Secretary of Digital Policies of the Government of Catalonia, Maria Galindo; the Fourth Deputy Mayor of the Department of Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion and Tourism of the Barcelona City Council, Jordi Valls; the CEO of MWCapital, Francesc Fajula; and the Director of Corporate Development and Head of the Digital Talent Area of MWCapital, Jordi Arrufí.

Maria Galindo highlighted that "88% of the multinational companies that have opened tech hubs in Catalonia have had support from Catalonia Trade & investment". She emphasized, "This support shows the strategic commitment of the government to capture technological projects of high added value that boost the Catalan economy and generate a positive impact on the environment".

For his part, Jordi Valls celebrated the "good news that these reports on technology hubs confirm year after year, with results that show the consolidation of the strategic commitment that Barcelona is making to become a city of reference in scientific and technological research and development, with a special concentration of these hubs in Barcelona and its technology district, 22@". According to Valls, "the value of this commitment also lies in the creation of high-quality professional opportunities that will allow local talent to be retained".

In his speech, the CEO of MWCapital noted that "technology hubs have become a strategic element for digital transformation, driving innovation, attracting talent and creating skilled jobs. Their consolidation shows Catalonia's ability to attract investment and create an environment capable of developing technological solutions with global impact".

European presence and talent are key factors to establishing in Catalonia

The report highlights that new foreign investment comes from countries such as Germany, the United States, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Japan. Although the United States continues to lead the installation of international technology hubs in Catalonia—with 25% of the total—Europe has gained weight in the last five years. Currently, 62% of the installed hubs come from a European country.

Among the key factors for installing these hubs in Catalonia are the ability to attract highly qualified talent, the parent company's previous presence, and the quality of life.

On the other hand, the report highlights that the most sought-after profiles by technology hubs are those of software engineers, consultants, cybersecurity analysts, SAP, data analysts, and video game developers.

Regarding the dominant technologies in the centers' service portfolio, the growing presence of deep tech, with generative artificial intelligence at the forefront and blockchain and robotics, is maintained. For its part, the development of technologies in the cloud is the area in which the most pronounced growth is observed: from 45% in 2023 to 56% in 2024. This evolution shows the importance of scalability and efficiency in companies.

Health and technological product development were the fastest-growing sectors in 2024, both in terms of the number of centers and the number of employees. Together, these two sectors accounted for 43% of the jobs created in 2024, representing nearly 2,700 people. The financial and mobility sectors also stood out.

Global reach and sustainable centers

Nearly 70% of the centers located in Catalonia perform strategic management and decision-making functions; 71% provide services worldwide and are reference centers for their company. In addition, almost 90% develop technology and participate in R&D activities.

In contrast, 80% of Technology hubs in Catalonia have adopted social and environmental responsibility initiatives, highlighting a significant shift towards sustainable business models dedicated to supporting local communities.