MWC Barcelona 2026

From March 2-5, 2026, Barcelona will host the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world's largest and most influential connectivity event. Since 2006, Barcelona has welcomed leading technology companies, governments, startups, and investors to shape the industry's future.

MWC26 also marks a major milestone: 20 years of MWC in Barcelona. Two decades defined by key moments, bold decisions, and projects that have connected innovation, talent, and technology with real impact, from Barcelona to the world. As Mobile World Capital Barcelona continues transforming innovation into initiatives, talent development, and technology with global reach, this anniversary celebrates the journey that has brought us here.

This year’s edition, The IQ Era, brings together global leaders from technology, industry, and government to explore how AI, advanced connectivity, and digital innovation are reshaping business and society. Structured around four pillars — Iconic Thinking, Big Ideas, Latest Tech, and Global Change — MWC26 showcases visionary speakers, breakthrough startups, next-generation technologies, and high-level policy discussions driving a more connected and inclusive future.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event!

Catalonia at MWC and 4YFN 2026

The Government of Catalonia, through Catalonia Trade & Investment, is proud to promote the region's thriving digital ecosystem at MWC 2026. This year, a group of Catalan companies, entities, and technology centers will showcase their innovations at the Catalonia Pavilion (Hall Congress Square) at the MWC event.

4YFN is the main startup platform at MWC, dedicated to helping new ventures grow through connections, exposure, and investment. This year, Catalonia Trade & Investment is supporting 32 Catalan startups from the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub, representing a diverse range of sectors and innovative solutions. Additionally, four selected startups will present live demonstrations of their technological solutions at the Catalonia Pavilion (4YFN, Hall 8) throughout the congress. 

At the same time, 16 startups from the Health & Life Sciences sector will showcase their latest technologies and solutions at the Catalonia Health Innovation Ecosystem stand, a collaborative space shared with Biocat. With this structure, attendees can easily identify where to find each group of Catalan startups and learn more about the innovations they are presenting.

 
Sessions and activities at MWC 2026

Open Innovation Challenge #MWC2026

• When: March 2-5 (in-person meetings) | March 9-13 (online meetings)
• Where: Catalonia Stand B25, Hall 8

The MWC Open Innovation Challenge is a B2B international networking event organized by Catalonia Trade & Investment, partnering with the Enterprise Europe Network, and is the perfect platform to discover the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies.

Corporations can register at the MWC Open Innovation Challenge, publish their challenge, and arrange meetings with technology suppliers worldwide. Technology providers with the potential to help address these challenges can register to participate in the event and upload their details and solutions.

This edition features participation from renowned national and international corporations, including Cupra, Fluidra, LG, Tous, Roca, and Hyundai. These companies will seek solutions for projects related to technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, mobility, robotics, and more.

Sign up to participate free of charge at the MWC Open Innovation Challenge before 21st February. 

Tech Hubs Overview Report 2026 Presentation & Roundtable Discussion

• When: Wednesday, March 4, 13:00
• Where: Mobile World Capital Barcelona Stand Auditorium (Hall 6)

A networking session with the participating tech hubs will follow, offering attendees the opportunity to connect, exchange insights, and explore collaboration opportunities.

Roundtable participants:

• Christian Müller (Schwarz)
• Elisenda Vives (HP)
• Alicia Saez (dsm-firmenich)

Moderated by:

• Chelo Fernández (MWCapital Foundation)

Barcelona Catalonia Business Talks | MWC Barcelona 2026 edition

• When: Thursday, March 5, 13:00
• Where: Beat Barcelona (Hall 8, in the garden in front of 4YFN)

Barcelona Catalonia Business Talks offer an exclusive opportunity for senior leaders from international companies to explore investment opportunities in the city. These sessions provide a concise overview of Barcelona’s dynamic innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship ecosystem and connect attendees with key public stakeholders, including the Barcelona City Council and the regional government. Participants will also learn about the range of services and support available to incoming investors.

The event includes a 30-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of networking, featuring a taste of Catalan Vermut.

Apply here to secure your spot!

*Due to limited capacity, selected participants will be notified 72 hours before the event.

Sessions and activities at 4YFN 2026

Local Heroes 

• When: Monday, March 2, 13:15 – 13:45
• Where: Banc Sabadell Stage, Hall 8.0 - 4YFN & Partner Theatres

Join a dynamic session featuring leading local founders to discuss key challenges and opportunities in scaling a company, covering topics such as market access, talent, funding, and future growth strategies. 

Through their journeys, the panelists will share insights on navigating global expansion while staying rooted in a thriving local ecosystem.

Featured Speakers:

• Montse Cano, CEO of Nanoligent
• Cesare Cugnasco, CSO &Co-Founder of Qbeast Analytics

Moderated by: 

• Rocio Flor, ACCIÓ Startup Growth Team Leader

Use Case in Digital Health: Tandem Health & Mediktor

• When: Tuesday, March 3, 10:00 – 10:30
• Where: Stand B25, 4YFN

Barcelona Health Hub is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing innovation in digital health and accelerating its adoption within the healthcare sector. Recognized as an international benchmark in digital health, the Hub attracts innovation, startups, and specialized talent worldwide.

In this session, two companies, Tandem Health and Mediktor, will present real use cases that showcase the latest trends in digital health and offer practical insights into how innovation is transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Startup Pitch 4YFN

• When: Tuesday, March 3, 10:45 – 14.15
• Where: 4YFN Pitching Stage

Watch 36 multi-sectoral Catalan startups pitch their innovative solutions to a global audience.

Following the pitching session, a networking reception will give investors the opportunity to connect directly with startups that best align with their investment focus. The goal is to foster meaningful introductions, facilitate conversations, and accelerate potential partnerships between innovative companies and capital.

Food Innovation Meetup by Norrsken Foundation & Naked Innovations

• When: Wednesday, March 4, 10:00 – 10:45
• Where: Stand B25, 4YFN

Norrsken House Barcelona is considered Europe’s largest hub for tech and impact entrepreneurship. It brings together startups, investors, and innovators committed to building sustainable and scalable solutions.

This session will focus on innovation in regenerative food systems in Catalonia and beyond, bringing together international investors and startups operating in this space. The discussion will be moderated by Marc Jordana, CEO and co-founder of Norrsken House Barcelona, who will offer insights into investment trends and emerging opportunities in sustainable food innovation.

Barcelona Catalonia Startup Ecosystem Vermut

• When: Wednesday, March 4, 13:00 – 14:00
• Where: Beat Barcelona (Garden in front of 4YFN) 

The Barcelona Catalonia Startup Ecosystem is a joint initiative led by Ajuntament de Barcelona and ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment to position the region as a leading startup hub and support local startups in their international expansion.

During this session, the four international tech missions planned for 2026 will be presented. Startups that have previously participated will share their first-hand experience, offering practical insights into the value of these global opportunities.

The 2026 missions include participation in major international events such as:

• Disrupt (San Francisco)
• SWITCH (Singapore)
• Web Summit (Lisbon)
• Slush (Helsinki)

Startups participating in 4YFN 2026, with ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment and Barcelona Activa, among others, will also be invited to join the session.

Register for the Barcelona Catalonia Startup Ecosystem Vermut here.

How Catalan Startups Are Winning EIC Grants & Investments

• When: Wednesday, March 4, 11:00 – 11:45
• Where: Stand B25, 4YFN

European Innovation Council (EIC) is a private-law investment fund with the European Commission as its main shareholder.

This 45-minute session, moderated by the Startups team, will feature a key decision-maker from the EIC Accelerator, a program actively promoted to Catalan startups. Two Catalan startups that have successfully secured EIC funding will present their success stories, while the EIC representative will share insights into the fund’s evaluation and investment criteria, offering practical guidance for innovative companies seeking European support.

TECNIO Innovation Experience 4YFN26

• When: Wednesday, March 4, 16:30 – 17:30
• Where: Stand B25, 4YFN

Explore the success stories of startups born from TECNIO research groups.

Make the Most of #MWC2026 and #4YFN2026 with Catalonia Trade & Investment

Meet our team of experienced investment consultants at MWC and 4YFN, they're ready to guide and support you throughout your investment journey in Barcelona-Catalonia.

Interested in exploring opportunities? Connect with us on-site for personalized advice and partnership.

Contact us today to schedule a meeting!