The keys to Catalunya as the best startup ecosystem in Southern Europe

Catalonia is a powerful entrepreneurial hub, with nearly 2,400 startups and an increasingly robust ecosystem. This potential has been recognized by the prestigious global platform StartupBlink, which has placed Catalonia as the best startup ecosystem in Southern Europe, not only for its effervescence but also for its solidity and consistency over time as a regional leader.

This solidity is increasing year by year, as the ecosystem is not only growing in the number of startups but also in their turnover and size: nearly half of the emerging companies invoice more than half a million euros, whereas five years ago this figure stood at 29%. This expanding ecosystem has raised 114 investment rounds from January to October, with significant operations, such as the 190 million from TravelPerk, the 110 million from Factorial, and the 70 million from Sateliot.

But startups are not the only ingredient that places the Catalan ecosystem at the top of the entrepreneurial podium in Southern Europe. Actors such as the more than 70 accelerators and dozens of coworking spaces also contribute in this direction, along with other aspects such as the number of unicorns, investors, and exits, elements that have led Catalonia to lead a ranking in which it is followed by Madrid and Milan. Lisbon and Athens complete the top 5, followed by Rome, Valencia, Porto, Belgrade, and Turin.

The dynamism of ecosystems is analyzed through 40 parameters that are part of StartupBlink's algorithm for compiling the ranking. The platform, specialized in research on economy and innovation, has awarded the prize to Acció, the Generalitat's business competitiveness agency, in recognition of its role in the development of the startup ecosystem in Catalonia.

The platform has been analyzing the Catalan startup ecosystem for a decade, when the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub directory was launched in parallel in Catalonia, precisely with Acció, to gather all information about emerging companies in one place.

The award, according to the Minister of Business and Labor, Miquel Sàmper, represents "a recognition of the sustained work done by Acció and multiple actors, public and private." This work "has allowed generating a stable environment that fosters competitiveness and constantly feeds back opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors," he added. The CEO of Acció, Jaume Baró, went further: "The award is a stimulus not to stand still in self-complacency and to continue growing the Catalan startup ecosystem, both in quantity and quality." To continue growing, entrepreneurs face difficulties that tend to intensify at two points: financing and bureaucracy.

This growth in both quantity and quality allows, in turn, "to offer a positive return to Catalan society as a whole," Baró added. And it is that, with data from February, this ecosystem employs more than 22,800 people in Catalonia —10% more than the previous year—, with often quality jobs, and represents a driver for innovation and knowledge transfer to society.