What does Catalonia’s startup ecosystem really look like in 2026? At French Tech Barcelona, French entrepreneurs considering a move here often ask us to help them understand the landscape before they take the plunge. Here are the official figures from the annual Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub report, published by ACCIÓ (Agència per a la Competitivitat de l’Empresa) in January 2026, with data from Dealroom and Crunchbase.
These figures are not estimates: they come from the ecosystem’s official database, populated by startups’ own declarations and cross-checked against investor data. It is the most reliable source available on the state of technology in Catalonia.
2,403 Startups: An Ecosystem Reaching Maturity
Catalonia currently has 2,403 startups listed in the official hub. They employ 30,537 full-time professionals and generate combined revenue of €2.94 billion. 63.6% have secured external funding, and 55% have closed a funding round in the last three years.
What particularly impresses us is R&D: 89% of Catalan startups invest in research and development, including 58% that allocate over 25% of their revenue to R&D. This is an ecosystem of technology companies creating intellectual property, filing patents and building lasting competitive advantages, rather than simply resellers or web agencies.
| Key indicator | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Startups recorded | 2,403 | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
| Jobs created | 30,537 | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
| Combined revenue | €2.94 billion | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
| Startups that raised funding in 3 years | 55% | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
| Startups investing in R&D | 89% | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
| Startups with women founders | 40.3% | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
| Startups operating internationally | 61% | BC Startup Hub 2026 |
€1,131 Million Raised in 2025: The Third-Best Result on Record
2025 was exceptional. Catalan startups raised €1,131 million, an increase of 72% over 2024. Two mega-rounds defined the year: Perk (€177 million) in travel and SpliceBio (€119.5 million) in health. Even without these mega-rounds, the total reached €834 million, an increase of 26.6%.
The average ticket continues to rise: €5.6 million per round, an all-time record. Series B and C account for 61% of the total, demonstrating that the ecosystem can nurture early ventures into mature businesses.
| Year | Total | Mega-rounds | Excluding mega-rounds | Change in total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | €232 million | 0 | €232 million | N/A |
| 2021 | €1,400 million | 2 | €610 million | +503.4% |
| 2022 | €789 million | 0 | €789 million | -43.6% |
| 2023 | €865 million | 1 | €625 million | +9.6% |
| 2024 | €659 million | 0 | €659 million | -23.8% |
| 2025 | €1,131 million | 2 | €834 million | +71.6% |
A detailed analysis of funding sources and support programmes is available in our selection of useful resources for entrepreneurs in Barcelona.
A Deeply International Ecosystem
66% of the funds participating in the 20 largest rounds of 2025 were international. The main countries of origin were the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. 61% of Catalan startups export, and 37% generate over 50% of their revenue internationally.
This international outlook is also reflected in talent: 23% of employees in Catalan startups are foreign nationals, and 21% of founders are not Spanish. This makes Barcelona the most cosmopolitan ecosystem in Southern Europe. To understand how to become part of this multicultural community, see our guide to joining Barcelona’s tech community.
The Sectors Attracting Investment
| Sector | 2025 share | Trend | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health | 31% | Doubled vs 2024 | SpliceBio €119.5 million |
| Travel | 20% | Boosted by Perk | Perk €177 million |
| Transport | 10% | Stable | N/A |
| FinTech | 9% | +15% vs 2024 | N/A |
| EdTech | 6% | Stable | N/A |
| Other sectors, including AI, climate and food | 24% | Growing | N/A |
HealthTech became the dominant sector in 2025, driven by the quality of Catalan research centres, including IRB Barcelona, Vall d’Hebron and Hospital Clínic, and the CataloniaBio & HealthTech cluster. TravelTech, long supported by local founders, with Booking historically based in Barcelona through Travelaudience, confirms its strong position. Video games remain an area of European excellence, with Barcelona ranked second worldwide in the sector.
Barcelona: Fifth in the EU and 33rd Worldwide
The StartupBlink 2025 ranking confirms Barcelona as the fifth-best startup ecosystem in the European Union, behind Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Amsterdam, and ahead of Munich, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Madrid. Worldwide, Barcelona gained five places to reach 33rd position.
Barcelona stands out in three areas: second worldwide for video games, third for IoT and third for biotechnology. These positions reflect a rare combination of strong academic research at IESE, ESADE, UPC and UAB, competitive operating costs compared with Paris or London, and a quality of life that retains international talent.
FAQ: The Ecosystem
Q: How does Barcelona’s ecosystem compare with Paris? A: Paris is larger, with more startups and capital, but Barcelona is more accessible for a French-speaking entrepreneur. The cost of living is 24.6% lower, and the French community is highly organised.
Q: Do French investors invest in Barcelona? A: Yes, extensively. France is the third-largest country of origin for investors in Catalonia. Funds such as Kima Ventures, Ring Capital and Xange are very active here.
Want to explore startups by sector? Visit the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub. If you are a French startup looking to establish a presence here, contact us.