Barcelona ranks in EU's top five start-up hubs for second year in a row, study says

Barcelona ranks among the top five start-up ecosystems in the European Union in 2025, according to a report by the consultancy StartupBlink.

For the second consecutive year, the study placed the Catalan capital in this elite group, behind only Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, and Amsterdam.

The report, released on Tuesday and shared by the Catalan business department, also notes that Barcelona is the second-ranked gaming hub in the world, losing the top position it held last year. Barcelona ranked third globally in the pharmaceutical industry.

According to Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Employment, the results demonstrate “the attractiveness of Barcelona and Catalonia as a whole” andand "align" with the Government's objectives.

"Start-ups here at home continue to grow, and that is now a widely recognized reality across Europe," Sàmper stated in a press release. "Emerging companies contribute to the growth of the entire business ecosystem," he added.

At the global level, Barcelona ranks 33rd worldwide, improving by five positions compared to last year.

The business department highlighted the fact that Barcelona is the top start-up ecosystem in Spain, and "one of the few cases" where the leading ecosystem is not located in the country's capital.

The report also highlighted start-ups in healthcare, smart cities, and travel.

To compile the ranking, StartupBlink analyzed over 1,400 cities in 110 countries, taking into account factors such as the number of start-ups, their quality, and the overall business environment, among others.

According to data from Catalonia Trade & Investment-ACCIÓ, Catalonia ended 2024 with 2,285 start-ups, the highest number ever recorded.