Catalonia Ecosystem Landscape

Taxes and Incentives

• Corporate benefits under the Spanish tax system include benefits of between 25% and 59% for R&D activities and 12% for technological innovations
• Spain has a large number of double taxation treaties, especially with Latin American countries, which makes it an ideal jurisdiction for investments
• Catalonia Trade and Investment connects global startups with the Barcelona and Catalonia business ecosystem and helps in validating the market and business model for early-stage companies.

Investor landscape

• Catalonia-based startups raised €1,479 million in 2021. This is 246% more than the investment volume attracted in 2020 and is the highest figure on record.
• In 2021, a total of 207 rounds of investment were closed by Catalan startups. Barcelona ranks as the 4th EU city with the most rounds of funding closed, based on data shared by Catalonia Trade and Investment.
• Logistics, travel, fintech, digital and content services are some of the leading sectors when it comes to investments in Barcelona.

Notable events

• The Mobile World Congress is a major mobile event held in the city. Organized by the Global System for Mobile Communication network, it is the launchpad for the year’s best smartphones, smartwatches and tablets on a global scale. It is attended by industry heavyweights who provide an insight into the future of mobile communications.
• The Smart City Expo Congress: is the leading event of the year held in Barcelona for the players in the smart city sector.
• The IoT solution world Congress: is an event that showcases game-changing solutions and technologies disrupting and transforming industries and enterprises.
• NiceOne Barcelona: The platform showcases Spain’s gaming and digital technology. It is the most prominent digital and gaming experience festival held in the city. It is a place where both national and international players in the sector of gaming and multimedia technology get to exhibit their latest innovations and share their experiences in the area.
• European Blockchain Convention: The convention was first held in 2018 to accelerate the blockchain ecosystem in Europe. The events see thousands of participants, leading speakers and the best startups in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space.