Barcelona and its power endure partly due to a creative and innovative mindset, but above all due to the habit of many of its people to undertake and commit. Is it still like that? Are we still like that?
It's when I ask that I see clearly. And it's when I have the opportunity to interview people like Professor Paco Solé Parellada and Miquel Martí, CEO of Tech Barcelona, that I become more aware of the number of things we should not take for granted.
I became a journalist for moments like these. To be able to ask and re-ask a little bit of everything and as many people as necessary, about a lot of worlds that generate curiosity in me. Barcelona and technology are two of those universes that we would never finish.
That's why, to clarify concepts, this week, in the new session of the cycle The New Barcelona – Moments Estel·lars, we talked with Solé and Martí about the technological ecosystem of our city, and by extension, of the country as a whole.
As a good teacher, Solé began by trying to define what we talk about when we talk about ecosystem, as well as creativity and innovation, which are two concepts that have not only been traditionally linked to the brand of Catalonia and its capital, but also have an important link with technology as a synonym for growth.
Being creative is good, and minds that are creative are needed, but it is also necessary for this to land in results. This is where innovation comes in. That is, it is necessary for opportunities to be extracted from all of this and for these to be made possible.
The good news is that despite the context not being the most favorable, and one only needs to talk to people from family businesses to realize this, we still have uncloggers that collectively drive us. But they are often heroic and against the current, too often applauded when they have already passed. Former minister Andreu Mas-Colell was highly recognized during the conversation, as a great promoter of research in our country.
But, where are the uncloggers of the present? They are or should be where innovation needs to be noticed, which should be everywhere. In business, in universities, in restoration... everywhere. Research in many fields is there and is the condition for having a consolidated ecosystem, but it must lead to innovation. And in this last point, there is a long way to go. It has always been this way and will continue to be so.
We will always be apprentices of innovation. And as long as this attitude exists, is valued in our society, and is synonymous with individual and collective growth, the good thing is that we will be creating high-value ecosystems (environments) that consolidate city and country models, attractive both internally and externally.
I leave you here the links to recover the conversation on Spotify or Youtube.
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