Barcelona and its ecosystem
- Dec 15, 2019
- 5 min read
Barcelona has many factors that are making it increasingly attractive: quality of life, pool of talent, startup ecosystem, etc. And all of them are quickly positioning Barcelona as a European startup, innovation and tech city.
This is a video which leaves you further explanation about how innovative Barcelona is.
Barcelona is affordable, making it a better location for young companies to start their innovative projects. Salaries are lower, but the pool of talent is just the same as in other cities.
The growing number of accelerators, business angels, venture capital investments,etc show money, for many, is no longer an issue. Investments in Spanish companies have grown steadily over the past few years, pointing to a relative improvement of the investment ecosystem and a huge amount of money available to invest in startups.
If you want further information about Barcelona as innovation hub I suggest you to go to : https://mobileworldcapital.com
So I will tell you the best accelerators, incubators and where to find venture capitals and business angels, venture builders and how to be an active member of Barcelona`s startup community.
ACCELERATORS:
Startupbootcamp: Startupbootcamp Internet of Things & Data is a leading global accelerator focusing on startups that provide solutions that use data to create smarter, customized services for both customers and businesses. Offering up to €15K per startup, through Startupbootcamp you will have the opportunity to receive mentorship from over 100 expert entrepreneurs, investors & partners, up to 6 months of free office space, exposure to over 200 Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists, over €450K worth in partner services and the possibility to pitch at 4YFN.
SeedRocket: Seedrocket gives seed funding to startups that have a strong focus on technology. They provide excellent, active mentorship from industry experts and investors, and make sure that your startup will get adequate seed funding and the support it needs to kick-off the ground. With a strong focus on communication, they encourage startups to help each other, pass on know-how and expertise to fellow accelerator members. ( The website and the video are in Spanish so if you can put the English subtititles or translate into English)
CONECTOR: Conector offers a program of up to 6 months for digital tech startups that are at their very initial stages. The program includes extensive training from a group of more than 80 mentors, each a successful online entrepreneur, support for legal services, and the possibility to pitch to private investors and venture capital firms at the end of the program.
INCUBATORS:
Barcelona Activa: This is likely Barcelona’s first organization to support local businesses and startups. This is a bit more than an incubator as they also help develop the city and create jobs. Many of the startups here are from locals, so Spanish and Catalan would be useful to work here.
Incubio: Do you have a startup idea related to big data? If that is the case, Incubio is the right fit for you. It may also interest you to know that they use the lean startup method.
The audio is not the best but pay attention about what now named Peninsula is.
Now I will tell you where you can find more and valuable business angels and venture capitalists in the Catalan Capital.
BUSINESS ANGELS & VENTURE CAPITALISTS
Barcelona has a developed connection between first of all young enterpreneurs and business angels and then with venture capitalists.
BUSINESS ANGELS:
Carlos Blanco: one of the best known figures in the Spanish startup ecosystem, especially in Barcelona and Cataluña. Carlos is the co-founder of gaming startup Akamon Entertainment, Barcelona-based accelerator Conector and the CEO of Grupo ITnet. As an angel investor he’s invested in companies such as Deporvillage, Kantox or Infantium.
Carlos Domingo Soriano: Carlos is the former president and CEO of Telefónica I+D (R&D). During his time at the Spanish telecom giant he also sat on the board of Wayra, Tuenti and TokBox. As an investor he’s backed companies such as Blink Booking (acquired by Groupon) and Masterbranch.
Vicente Arias: Co-founder of Offerum and SeedRocket, Vicente is also an active angel investor in Barcelona-based startups. He’s invested in companies such as Ulabox, Salir, or Enalquiler.
Juan Margenat:Juan is the co-founder of Barcelona-based startup Marfeel and is also an advisor to Conector. Previous to Marfeel he also founded Weekendesk Iberia (sold to Smart&Co) and PlanB!. He’s invested in fintech darling Kantox, as well as Offerum, Deporvillage and Habitissimo.
VENTURE CAPITALISTS
ACTIVE VENTURE PARTNERS: Based in Barcelona and founded in 2004 by Philipp Schroedere, Christopher Pommerening and Ricard Söderberg, the firm raised its second fund of $54 million in late 2012. At the time of the announcement Active Venture Partners claimed that 80% of the amount raised would be invested in Spanish startups, allocating the rest to European and Latam companies.
Axon Partners Group: It has an international focus, with offices in Spain, India, Colombia and Miami, and besides investing in startups it also works as a consulting firm for companies it doesn’t have a stake in.
Caixa Capital Risc: CCR started investing in technology companies in 2011 and since then it has over one hundred companies, positioning La Caixa as one of the most startup-friendly banks in Spain, along with BBVA.
Nauta Capital: Nauta Capital has an international presence, with offices in London, Boston and Barcelona. The firm, led by Jordi Viñas, Dominic Endicott, Daniel Sánchez and Carles Ferrer, tends to back growth-stage companies; one of the few in Spain to do so.
An important component of young managers is the coworking space I will tell you the best to rent and use for your projects.
BEST COWORKING SPACES:
Betahaus:With branches in six European cities, Betahaus has as strong cross-cultural flavour with small and not-so-small teams of tech and creative workers over six floors in this industrial building in Gràcia. Cost: €25 for a day pass up to €176 per month for 24/7 access and a fixed workstation
: Situated in the heart of 22@ – Barcelona’s own little Silicon Valley – Valkira Hub Space focuses on digital entrepreneurship, which includes business mentoring and talks on how to make your millions. In contrast, its open-plan office has a homely appeal, with ad hoc furniture and hanging plants, and the onsite bistro in a popular local lunch spot. Best place to look for a business angel. Cost: €30 for a day pass up to €200 euros per month for a fixed workstation ( The website is in Spanish)
Aticco: Barcelona coworking space is large enough to accommodate services such as bike lockers, a gym and showers, and has a wrap-around terrace with impressive inner-city views, where regular events are held. Inside there is plenty of room to manoeuvre between the communal worktables, event areas and private booths for Skype calls. Cost: from €159 per month for a half day hot desk up to €275 for a fixed desk
( From coworkingenbarcelona.es)
MOB Barcelona Coworking ( Makers of Barcelona):One of Barcelona’s first coworking spaces, MOB has developed into a strong community and, with a buzzy café and lively cycle of events and talks, a reference point for networking. The energy is palpable as you walk into the ground floor of this early 19th-century building, with small start-ups toiling away in semi-private offices and lone workers lounging on sofas with their laptops. Cost: From €80 per month for afternoon access, up to €190 per month for 24/7 access and a fixed desk.
( From viue.com)
Obviously you can also rely on Meetup events regarding networking and digital nomads in Barcelona which I suggest you to go promoting yourself as a person and also as a businessman or businesswoman.
That`s the end for this post
Obviously if you have further suggestions please write below the post.
I hope that you liked this post !!!!!
Take Care and Bon Voyage!!!!!!!
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