Interview with Miguel Vicente, President of Tech Barcelona

13 Jan Interview with Miguel Vicente, President of Tech Barcelona

What factors have contributed to Barcelona’s emergence as a tech hub, and what steps are needed to establish it as a world-renowned growth point?

Today, Catalonia hosts over 2,100 startups, with Barcelona as its entrepreneurial heart. Historically a hub for multinational companies, the city’s SMEs—once focused on industrial exports—have evolved into globally ambitious startups.

Founders increasingly use Barcelona as a launchpad to test markets, fostering genuine innovation rather than imitation. A key strength is the city’s collaborative civil society, supported by organizations like Foment del Treball, Cercle d’Economia, and the Chamber of Commerce, which facilitate strong public-private partnerships.

Talent attraction is another crucial factor. Barcelona ranks as the second-best city in the EU for entrepreneurship, drawing international talent—33% of its workforce is foreign, with large communities from the U.S., France, and Italy. This talent pipeline, along with top-tier local training, makes Barcelona highly competitive for global companies. Over 140 international tech hubs have established themselves here, benefiting from a talent pool that might not be available elsewhere.

The city’s appeal also plays a role—many international companies use Barcelona as their European innovation center. HP, for example, has its Large Format & 3D Printing global headquarters here, alongside Intel and Cisco.

What are Tech Barcelona’s key focus areas for 2025, and how is it driving growth across Catalonia?

 Tech Barcelona was created to structure the city’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem. Initially self-funded, the initiative gained traction and attracted over 100 partners. Today, Tech Barcelona is among the largest startup associations in Europe, with 1,400+ members, 70% of whom are founders.

The organization runs over 360 events annually, acting as a continuous knowledge-sharing forum. A key priority is transferring expertise from seasoned entrepreneurs to new founders while fostering tech transfer between research institutions and businesses.

Recognizing the need for a dedicated space, Tech Barcelona established a 20,000-square-meter innovation hub—one of the five most significant tech spaces in the city—bringing together entrepreneurs, corporations, venture capital funds, and associations to fuel collaboration and innovation.

Additionally, Tech Barcelona has adopted a sector-specific vertical approach. In 2023, it launched a hub dedicated to health and life sciences, aiming to create a world-class research and innovation center. This model is now expanding across different parts of the city.

Our spaces have become vital meeting points for investors. The city’s rise in rankings—now among Europe’s top three or four startup ecosystems—demonstrates its growing prominence. When multinational companies consider establishing global hubs, they consult Tech Barcelona to understand the ecosystem.

70% of Tech Barcelona members are startup founders, with many achieving significant milestones. In 2023, 8 of Spain’s 10 largest capital rounds were secured by Barcelona-based companies, reinforcing a self-sustaining cycle of growth in the ecosystem.

How does Tech Barcelona attract investment and position Barcelona as a prime destination for global investors?

Barcelona competes on talent and capital, and capital knows no borders. The city offers a highly competitive tech environment, often outperforming even the U.S. in certain fields. A prime example is a former Israeli employee of a $150M New York-based company who moved to Barcelona for another international firm. Despite earning half his U.S. salary, he found his standard of living significantly higher.

Talent sourcing is strategic, and Barcelona offers an ideal environment for international professionals. Today, most Ibero-American capital funds have dedicated European teams based in Barcelona, something that was rare a decade ago.

Tech Barcelona has cultivated relationships with over 150 international investment funds, inviting them to events and connecting them with startups. One significant advantage is the Mobile World Congress, which brings global attention to Barcelona’s tech industry. The organization also provides a dedicated space to showcase the best Barcelona-based startups to international investors and corporations.

What initiatives has Tech Barcelona undertaken to enable global collaboration, and how do U.S. investors and partnerships fit in?

Tech Barcelona is expanding its international partnerships, particularly with the United States. Exchange programs with Michigan and Boston have been developed due to similarities in business culture and sector strengths.

One of Barcelona’s greatest assets is its health and biotech sector, which contributes 10% of Catalonia’s GDP. The region has attracted its first biotech investment funds, and hospitals are transforming into leading startup incubators. Barcelona and Boston share a strong focus on health tech, and discussions about deeper collaboration are underway.

What are your top priorities for 2025, and what is your long-term vision for the tech sector and economy of Catalonia?

The goal is to solidify the tech sector’s strategic importance in Barcelona’s economy. The city is already on the verge of achieving this, and the priority now is scaling its impact.

A key ambition is to make Barcelona “the place to be” for global talent. The focus is on developing international partnerships with organizations and attracting more innovation centers like HP. While Barcelona may not have the world’s largest tech hubs, it excels in cultivating and attracting top-tier talent.

Talent attraction remains at the heart of Tech Barcelona’s efforts. The city offers a unique mix of leading universities, world-class business schools, and an innovation-driven culture. While capital flows globally, talent is Barcelona’s defining advantage. Investors know that as companies grow in Barcelona, they gain access to one of the best talent ecosystems worldwide.

We invite U.S. investors to discover firsthand what Barcelona has to offer—an innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking city ready to support their ambitions.