"Technology is going to progress, whether we like it or not," warns Sage's CTO, Aaron Harris. And in this unstoppable progress, with AI at the forefront, adaptability will be key, both for professionals and for companies. To accompany them on this path and to empower them with AI, companies like the international Sage develop technological tools, in a purpose where Barcelona now gains relevance: the British software multinational has opened a new global hub in the 22@ district of the Catalan capital.
From the new hub, the multinational wants to boost the application of AI in the day-to-day operations of companies, with technological solutions in areas related to accounting, finance, human resources, and payroll. In addition, the new Barcelona space will be a key piece for the global growth of the company's business. And this opening is not isolated: in the last year, Catalonia, with Barcelona at the forefront, has added 12 new international technology hubs, reaching a total of 203.
The space has not been opened in just any location ---in the heart of 22@--- nor will it be just any hub: it will be Sage's third global hub, alongside the centers in Newcastle —where the company is headquartered— and Atlanta, in the United States. From Àlaba street, a few minutes from Glòries, the hub will focus primarily on the development of new technologies and services linked to AI globally, placing Barcelona's voice in the global debate on this central technology and its implications.
The 3,600 square meters that the multinational occupies at number 111 on Àlaba street ---designed by the Balletroig architecture studio--- house a team of 650 people —the group has 11,000 employees worldwide—. Furthermore, the company does not stop there, but aims to increase its workforce by around 10% annually in a sustained manner in the medium term. Of these workers, 50% are women, because "diversity is fundamental to our growth and makes things happen sooner and better," according to Sage Iberia's managing director, José Luis Martín Zabala.
Talent and ecosystem
Thus, the newhubit presents itself as a new magnet for international talent: it currently has 40 nationalities among its workers, a large part of whom are highly qualified, in specialties ranging from Data Science to cybersecurity, AI development, and engineering.In fact, with the new hub, the multinational will gain momentum "thanks to Barcelona's innovation ecosystem, which will allow us to continue advancing and collaborating with the best universities and attracting the best international talent," according to Martín Zabala. Being located in 22@ facilitates this connection with universities and talent, due to the concentration of innovative companies, large corporations, and training institutions. "22@ is a model admired and imitated in many places around the world. We are also an example," claimed the delegate of the central government in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, during the inauguration of the hub.
From this 22@ and with an eye on AI, the launch of this hub represents, according to Minister Miquel Sàmper, a "reinforcement of Barcelona and Catalonia's positioning as a European technology capital at the service of companies." The arrival of the hub at 22@ and in the city has not been fortuitous: it is the result of "a sustained strategic commitment by Barcelona to innovation and the knowledge economy," added Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy, Jordi Valls.
Thus, this commitment to innovation is simultaneously boosted by the launch of the hub, in a self-reinforcing dynamic: Barcelona's positioning as an innovative city drives its opening, and the new hub, in turn, reinforces that international leadership.
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