What’s Next for Global Tech Hubs in Barcelona-Catalonia?

Barcelona and Catalonia have firmly established themselves as one of Europe’s most dynamic destinations for international tech hubs. With more than 160 tech hubs, a strong concentration of global talent and a growing role in strategic decision-making, the region is no longer just an operational base: it is shaping global innovation.

This was the central theme of a panel held during Tech Spirit Barcelona 2025, moderated by Mireia López, Head of Investment Promotion at Catalonia Trade & Investment, and featuring executives from Schneider Electric, Deloitte, Xplore Studios Barcelona, and Socialpoint. Their shared insights reveal why Barcelona-Catalonia continues to attract global companies and what will define the next phase of growth.

From operational hubs to strategic decision-making centers

One of the clearest signs of maturity in Barcelona-Catalonia’s tech ecosystem is the evolution of local hubs from service-oriented centers to strategic decision-makers within multinational organizations.

For Schneider Electric, Barcelona plays a critical role in its global digital and IT operations. As Laura Sancho, Iberian IT Director, explained: “We are more than 700 people here in Barcelona and our intention is to be a transversal hub.”

Schneider Electric Barcelona supports global operations across cybersecurity, data, cloud computing, ERP systems and customer experience: “We’ve reached a point of maturity in which our hub is taking strategic decisions for all the company.” 

“There’s huge talent here and an incredible balance between creativity and technology that gives Barcelona a real competitive edge”

Susanna Kamph, Xplore Studio Barcelona Leader

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An ecosystem that enables innovation and co-creation

Barcelona-Catalonia’s tech ecosystem is not only large, it is accessible. International companies consistently highlight the ease of connecting with startups, institutions and peers.

This was a decisive factor for Xplore Studios Barcelona, part of IKEA’s global innovation organization. After just six months, the Barcelona pilot was approved for international scaling. As Susanna Kamph, Xplore Studios Barcelona Leader, explained: “I know that the ecosystem here in Barcelona was a huge contributing factor to reaching that level of success.”

“Barcelona is globally relevant, but still gives a sense of being intimate enough for new players to come and be part of the conversation”. “If one player succeeds, it's also building and growing Barcelona”, Kamph said.

At Socialpoint, a Barcelona-born global gaming company, the city is central to its international growth. CEO Akshay Barakhai underlined the strategic importance of the location: “Overall, we are 350 people in Barcelona, and it continues to be a strategic hub across Europe.”

The ecosystem’s collaborative nature also stood out. As Barakhai noted: “Once you experience it, you see that there’s depth of talent, not only local talent, but also a lot of world-class talent that has moved here.”

A magnet for global talent

Talent remains the cornerstone of Barcelona-Catalonia’s success as a global tech hub. Beyond technical skills, companies highlight the region’s ability to attract multidisciplinary professionals who combine creativity, technology and business expertise.

“There’s huge talent here”, said the Xplore Studio Barcelona representative. “There's this incredible balance between creativity and technology that gives this competitive edge if you compare it to other places”.

AI and the future of global tech hubs

Artificial Intelligence emerged as a defining force shaping the next generation of tech hubs. Rather than replacing talent, AI is transforming roles, accelerating innovation and increasing the value of functional expertise.

For Deloitte, AI represents a strategic inflection point for digital hubs worldwide. Marc Farré, partner at the company, offered a clear vision: “Content will be king. The technology has become so easy to use that now the important thing is to know the content, the functional expertise.”

He emphasized that future hubs must combine technology with deep business knowledge to remain competitive and relevant.

Watch the full session: What’s Next for Global Tech Hubs in Barcelona-Catalonia?