Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, has become a leading tech investment destination.
Its capacity to offer and to attract talent, its quality of life and a powerful tech startup ecosystem are some of the reasons behind this phenomenon.
Wherever you find an accumulation of talent, interesting things take place. This is true in all walks of life, including in the digital and technological sphere. In a hyper-connected world, being close to world-changing companies and leading professionals is still a desirable goal for anyone. And this is what happens in Catalonia, especially around Barcelona, where numerous multinationals have decided to set up their technological hubs and R&D centers.
Only in 2021, companies such as Microsoft, Nestlé, Facebook, Sanofi, Privalia and Seat installed or expanded their technological research departments in Catalonia. They join those of Amazon, Allianz, King, HP and Moodle building on a growing ecosystem that collectively empowers itself day after day.
South American companies such as the Argentine Satellogic have also found in Barcelona their ideal point of landing in Europe, where they already operate with a team of over 50 people. According to David Raskovan, Office of the CEO, “we chose Barcelona due to the combination of available talent, especially in the field of data science, its cultural openness including the connection with Latin America, and also, for the quality of life. Many of us chose to move here.”
Well, what’s so special about Barcelona and Catalonia that makes it concentrate so much technological and digital investment? The answer is the sum of different factors, such as a mature sector in the digital environment that has created a concentration of experienced talent in the sector. Not to mention its remarkable quality of life, a powerful magnet behind attracting international talent. Catalonia, for example, is southern Europe’s most important startup hub, with over 1,900 companies, and where 26% of the workforce and 17% of founders are from abroad.
Furthermore, great connections with major European cities or the presence of some of the most reputable business schools, such as ESADE and IESE, as well as a significant concentration of top-level universities, add to the list of attractions to be found Barcelona and Catalonia.
Over and above these factors of attraction or interest, the reality is that implementation in a new ecosystem is a complex task. Thus, with the aim of facilitating the entrance to one of Europe’s largest technological hubs, the 7th Latin American Congress of Technology and Business, America Digital 2022 will be attended by Catalonia Trade & Investment, represented by some of its delegations in South America.
Its team of professionals – based in Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Peru – work with practically all the markets on the continent, facilitating their connection with Barcelona and Catalonia and opening up the region’s outstanding tech ecosystem to them. Issues such as the search for premises or personnel, legal and bureaucratic procedures, as well as connections with established local and international companies are easier when done hand in hand with the offices of Catalonia Trade & Investment in South America, whose representatives will be present at the 7th Latin American Congress of Technology and Business, America Digital 2022.
But this isn’t a one-way trip. Part of the process is also to search for potential Catalan partners who – taking advantage of the cultural and linguistic affinity – want to invest in South America via the export of new and promising technological solutions.
Do not miss out on the chance to meet face to face with the main executives of Catalonia Trade & Investment at the 7thAmerica Digital Congress and discover how to connect your business to one of the largest technology hubs in Europe.