The Hottest Startups in Barcelona

"Barcelona has triumphed over Madrid as Spain's startup capital because of the deal flow and the talent," explains Miquel Martí, Tech Barcelona's CEO. "International talent is attracted by the lifestyle, the strength of the ecosystem, and the presence of international companies." According to Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub--the region's startup directory--there are over 1,900 startups in Catalonia, mostly concentrated in Barcelona; since 2016, the number has grown by over 75 percent. The city has long had a strong tradition of health-tech startups fueled by university and regional government collaboration, but successful founders have been funding, supporting, and starting other companies, as well as diversifying into construction, mobility, and sustainability. There's also been a slow trickle of fintech companies from London, lured by post-Brexit border-free banking, good weather, a lower cost of living--and the beach.