Acció has supported more than 36,000 companies, technology centers, and entities throughout 2022, a 7.5% increase compared to the previous year. The agency for business competitiveness of the Govern has supported 21,000 projects through different advisory services and aid lines, focusing on the areas of internationalization, innovation, and digital and sustainable transformation. These business initiatives have mobilized an investment of 1.7 billion euros, a 27.5% increase compared to 2021, and created and maintained more than 12,000 jobs, an 11.7% increase.
A prominent leg of Acció's balance sheet last year has been the attraction of foreign investments that decide to establish themselves in Barcelona or locate a technology hub, joining the hundred already installed. In total, 620 million euros of foreign investment have been captured, a 1.2% increase compared to 2021, the highest figure in a historical series that began in 1985. In this way, 94 investment projects from international companies materialized, a figure that represents a 14% increase compared to the previous year and exceeds 90 initiatives for the first time. These investments have led to the creation of 3,464 jobs, an 11% increase.
From the field of internationalization, Acció's programs have generated nearly 616 million euros in exports in Catalonia. The agency has done this by accompanying companies in their expansion projects worldwide, for example, through the opening of subsidiaries, the export of products, or access through digital channels. Companies have also received advice from its network of Trade and Investment offices.
Regarding innovation, the support of the Catalan agency has materialized in a mobilization of 285 million euros in R&D by private companies. Acció offers companies different lines of aid for the promotion of innovation or to face the challenges of climate change: a total of 650 companies have benefited and obtained 7 million euros that they have been able to allocate to the contracting of advisory services.
The agency also has instruments for collaboration between companies and research centers to encourage technology transfer, one of the main weaknesses of the Catalan research system. Of these, the Núcleos de I+D program stands out, which has had a budget of 10 million euros and has benefited a hundred companies.
As for startups, Acció has supported more than 320 emerging companies to boost their growth. In these cases, it does so with aid programs and financial advice. According to the agency, in 2022, the budget allocation for Startup Capital grants was increased by 30%, which have evolved to focus on deeptech emerging companies and with tickets of up to 100,000 euros per company.